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1918-19 (55)

These are the stories behind those who fell between 1918-19

Written by

Murdoch (Murdo) MacKay

Seaforth Highlanders

8th Batt. Seaforth Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, the Scottish National Memorial, Park Church memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 17.

The family home was at 28, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.
The son of Murdoch and Rachael MacKay.
Siblings: Murdo has three sisters, Peggy, Jeannie and Annie. He also had an older half brother, Robert Duncan (draper).

Murdo MacKay was born in Cardross and brought up in Helensburgh where his father was a telephone linesman. On leaving school he was employed as an apprentice with T.G. Allan, ironmongers. He also served as an assistant scout master.

Murdo was killed in action at Arras. His remains were not recovered. He was just 19 years of age. It is recorded that at the time of his death he was a resident of Stirling.

Written by

John MacDonald

Royal Garrison Artillery

286th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
He is remembered with honour on the Soissons Memorial, the Scottish National Memorial, Aberdeen University Roll of Honour, St Andrew’s Church and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 10.

The family home was at Teasdale, 43, John Street, Helensburgh. The son of Alexander and Margaret MacDonald, 18 Sand, Gairloch.
John MacDonald was the son of a crofter in Gairloch, Ross-shire. He obtained a place at Aberdeen University and graduated with an M.A. in 1902. He taught maths in Castle Douglas and married Mary Conchar in 1907. In 1910 he was appointed mathematics master at Hermitage H.G. School in Helensburgh. In 1914 he was awarded a B.Sc. (London) with highest honours. He joined the local volunteers in 1914 and joined the Artists Rifles in May 1917. He was then commissioned into the R.G.A. and transferred to France in March 1918. Killed in action in May of that year aged 38. He left his wife and two small children, who were at the time of his death residing with her family in Castle Douglas.
Written by

James Hughes

Lanarkshire Fusiliers

1/9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 1.

TThe family home was at 27, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh.
The son of John and Annie Marion McInnes Hughes.
James Hughes was born at 24, West Princes Street in Helensburgh and was brought up in the town where his father was a gardener. He was employed as a slater with Messrs Thom and Son, William Street before joining the county brigade in the first week of the war. James was later attached to the Black Watch. He died from wounds, received in battle, at No10 Casualty Clearing Station, France (pictured left). He was 21 years of age.
Written by

Norman Gardner

Lanarkshire Fusiliers

16th Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on St Andrew’s Church Roll of Honour, Larchfield School memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3, Line 50.

The family home was at Camden, 5, East Montrose Street, Helensburgh. The son of John Gardner M.D. and Annie Little Gardner.
Siblings: Not Known.
Norman Gardner was brought up in Helensburgh where his father was the local doctor. He attended Larchfield Academy, and later, Glasgow Agricultural College.
Norman was employed in rubber cultivation in Kilantan on the Malay Peninsula before returning to join first the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment and then the 16th Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers.
Norman was reported as wounded in August 1918 but returned to the front, he was killed in action in October. He was 32 years old.
Tuesday, 16 June 2020 12:18 Written by

David Melville King

Rhodesian Regiment

2nd Rhodesian Regiment
He is remembered with honour on the Larchfield School memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 6.

The family home was at Auchengower, Cove, Loch Long.
The son of John and Isabella McFarlane-Colville King.
Siblings: David had two brothers, John was in a reserved occupation and Douglas, who died in France in 1917.

Douglas King was born at Auchengower, Cove, on Loch Long. His father was an accountant with Glasgow University.
He attended Colquhoun Villa School and Larchfield School before going to Glasgow University to study Medicine. He graduated with M.B ChB in August, 1914. During his study time he was a member of the University Training Corps and the Officer’s Reserve.
Douglas enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to the 74th Field Ambulance. He was mentioned in despatches in 1915 and was awarded the Military Cross on the 1st June, 1917, only 6 days before his death. He was killed in action aged 27 years.

Published in 1918-19
Tuesday, 16 June 2020 06:15 Written by

James Jenkinson

Royal Marines

Royal Marine Land Company (Royal Navy).
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Old Parish Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 3.

The The family home was 27 Maitland Street, Helensburgh where he lived with his wife, Mary and 4 grown up children. Margaret, Archibald, James and Catherine. The son of John Jenkinson (commercial traveller) and Margaret Jenkinson (nee Hunter).

 

James Jenkinson was born in Leith, Midlothian where his father was a commercial traveller. He married Mary and lived at 27 Maitland Street and worked in Helensburgh as a licenced porter.
He had four children, Archibald, Margaret, James and Catherine.
He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war and served 4 years in France. He died in hospital at Rue de Phalsbourg Section, 2 General Hospital, Le Havre. It having been reported that he had been in poor health for some time. He was aged 56.
His son Archibald also served and survived the war.

Published in 1918-19
Monday, 15 June 2020 10:41 Written by

John Jones

royal scots fusiliers

2nd Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on the Park Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 4.

The family home was 67, East Princes Street, Helensburgh. The son of William Jones (mason) and Helen Jones (nee Haston).

John Jones was born in Helensburgh and brought up by his aunt, Mrs MacLachlan, in Grant Street in the town.
He was a painter by trade before joining the army, being a member of the local Volunteer Force and enlisting under the Derby Scheme at the outbreak of war.
John died, killed in action by a shell explosion, leaving behind a wife, Mary and three small children. He was age 26.

Published in 1918-19
Monday, 15 June 2020 09:10 Written by

James Kelly

Argylls

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, Scottish National War Memorial, St. Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 5.

The family home was at Alma Place, Helensburgh. The son of Richard Kelly (labourer) and Jane Kelly (nee Dolan).

James Kelly was born in Row (Rhu) and moved to Alma Place, Helensburgh, where his father was a labourer.
He was employed by A and R Spy coal merchants as a general labourer before enlisting. He married Margaret McPherson and moved to 36, East King Street. At the time of his death, they were bringing up a young family of five, Mary, James, Bessie, Margaret and Jane. Sharing their accommodation with 3 boarders.
James died at Arras, killed in action. There is no known grave. He was 36 years of age.

Published in 1918-19

Daniel Ward

Argylls

1st Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the St. Michael and All Angels Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 4 Line 52.

The family home was 21, Maitland Buildings, Helensburgh. The son of Mr Daniel Ward and Annie Lee, both from Glasgow. His parents married in Edinburgh in 1900.
Siblings: Daniel had one brother, Charles, and two sisters, Mary and Bella.

Daniel Ward was born in Edinburgh before the family moved to Helensburgh, where his father was a pipe maker and his mother a pipe maker’s finisher. His father died in the Boer War.

Daniel was a professional soldier, enlisting in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1910. In 1917, at St Michael and All Angels Church, Helensburgh, he married Margaret Hattrick, a laundress, of 21, Maitland Buildings.

Daniel had been wounded in France and later fought in Salonika. He died of pneumonia in Constantinople on Christmas Day, 1918. He was 26 years old.

 

Thomas Cameron

argylls

10th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 40.

The family home was at 65 West Princes Street before moving to Duntocher.
The son of Hugh Cameron (gardener) and his wife Ann (nee Morrison).
Siblings: Thomas had one older brother, John, who was described as not employed.

Thomas Cameron was born at 65, West Princes Street in Helensburgh. His father Hugh was a gardener. In the 1911 census, his mother Ann was described as head of household and was working as a washerwoman. She also let out rooms, having 3 boarders.

Thomas was resident in Duntocher, where he worked as a baker, before he enlisted.

Thomas was wounded at the Somme in 1918 and later died of his injuries. He was 30 years old.

William Cameron

camerons

5th Batt. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders.
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, Old Parish Church Memorial. Helensburgh War Memorial Column 3 - line 39

The son of Mr William and Mrs Margaret Cameron and brought up in the family home at 23 Royal Street, Gourock.
His connection to the town was through his work with the Bank of Scotland in Helensburgh.
The regiment of the Cameron Highlanders expanded to 13 battalions at the beginning of WW1, 9 of which served in battle. It received 10 battle honours and lost 5,930 men.
Their Motto: Pro rege patria (for King and Country).
Tuesday, 19 May 2020 05:10

Robert Blaney 

Argylls

6th Batt. Seaforth Highlanders. He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial Column 3 Line 38.

The family home was at 33, East King Street, Helensburgh. The son of Mr Charles and Mrs Alice Blaney.
Siblings: Robert had one older brother, Joseph, who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and also perished. Other siblings Unknown.
 Robert Blaney was born in Glasgow, moving to Helensburgh with his family.
Robert joined the Seaforth Highlanders and served in France. He died, killed in action, at Loos aged 18 years. His remains were not recovered.
Tuesday, 19 May 2020 05:04

Joseph Blaney 

Argylls

14th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, Helensburgh Post Office Roll of Honour, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial Column 3 Line 37.

The family home was at 33, East King Street, Helensburgh.The son of Mr Charles and Mrs Alice Blaney.
Siblings: Joseph had a younger brother, Robert, who served with the Seaforth Highlanders and also perished. Other siblings are unknown. 

Joseph Blaney was a postman on the Rosneath run before he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at the age of 18 and served for three years.
He died from wounds at the Canadian Casualty Clearing Station aged 21 years. 
His parents chose the inscription for his headstone at Lijssenthoek which reads: 'He died that we might live. Thy will be done'

Friday, 15 May 2020 05:37

James Don

Seaforth Highlanders

5th Batt. Seaforth Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Arras Memorial, the Helensburgh Post Office Memorial. The Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 46.

The family home was at 6, William Street, Helensburgh
The son of John Gilchrist Don and Helen Don (nee Laing)
Siblings: James had two sisters, Helen and Jessie and three brothers who all fought in the war. Charles and David survived but John died in 1917.
James Don was born In West Wemyss, Fife and moved to Helensburgh with his parents. His father owned a gardening business. James was employed as a postman before he enlisted.
He first joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (service no. 4486) before being transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders.
All four brothers served. Charles and David surviving the war but John was killed in action the year before James.
James was killed in action aged 40 years.

Charles Hill Dodds

Argylls

12th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
He is remembered with honour on the Dorian Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, St Bride’s Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial Column 3 Line 45.

The son of Mr James and Mrs Helen Margaret Murray Dodds (nee McIntyre). He was brought up at the family home at 10 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.
Siblings: Jimmy, Bill, Jackie, Davie, Peggy, Mary and Helen.

Charles Dodds was born at 25, East Clyde Street, where his father James was a plumber journeyman. The family later moved to 6 or 10 West Clyde Street and Charles was educated at Hermitage Higher Grade School.

Charles fought at the Third Battle of Dorian 18-19 September 1918 with the Greeks and British (British Salonika Force) assaulting the positions of the Bulgarian First Army near Dojran Lake. He was reported missing at that date and later confirmed dead, only 21 years old.

Hugh Copland (Copeland)

Argylls

14th Batt. and then 5th Reserve Batt. of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
He is remembered with honour on the Park Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 43.

The family home was at 37 Grant Street, Helensburgh.
The second son of Hugh and Elizabeth (nee Mitchell) Copeland.
Siblings: John (painter), Maryanne and Agnes (both messengers for a fishmonger). Also living in the household was his cousin Maggie (clothes dealer). Married to Catherine.

Hugh Copeland was born at 77 Canning Street, Glasgow. His father, English born, was a shoemaker and the family first moved to 16 East King Street and then 37 Grant Street in Helensburgh. On leaving school he was employed as a grocer’s assistant. Hugh married Catherine and moved to 15, John Street, Renton where they were bringing up two small children. Hugh was wounded in May, 1918 and later died of pneumonia at the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith, Edinburgh in October that year. He was 27 years old.

Simon Cavana

Royal Warwickshire Regiment

2nd/6th Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 42.

The family home was at 16 Maitland Buildings, Helensburgh
The son of John and Rose Ann (nee Kelly) Cavana.

Simon Cavana was born at 33 Grant Street, Helensburgh - the home of his aunt and uncle. His father John, was a labourer in the town. The family then moved to 16 Maitland Buildings, Maitland Street.
Now residing in Dundee, Simon enlisted in 1916, at the age of 18, in the Scottish Horse Yeomanry (service no. 2506) which joined with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. His father enlisted in the Black Watch.
Simon died, killed in action, at the age of 20.
His cousin, Hugh Cavana, died only a month earlier and is also remembered on the Helensburgh War Memorial.

Hugh Cavana

Royal Scots

1st/5th Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 41.

The family home was at 33 Grant Street, Helensburgh
The son of Peter and Mary (nee McGhee) Cavana.
Siblings: One older brother, Peter, and four younger siblings. Annie, Mary, John and James.

Hugh Cavana was born at 17 Maitland Street, Helensburgh, to Peter, a cab driver, and Mary. He was brought up in the town, attending the Clyde Street School. He had one older brother, Peter, described as a messenger, who did not serve. His two younger brothers, John and James were too young.
He enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers after leaving school.
Hugh was wounded in battle and died at the age of 20 years.
Hugh's cousin, Simon, was killed in action a month later and his name is also on the Helensburgh War Memorial.

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