Introduction
In 2014 the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, Cumnock History Group began researching the names on the Cumnock War Memorial plus other men and women with Cumnock connections mentioned on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or in the Cumnock Chronicle of the time. The research is not limited to those who died but also to men and women who served, using family history information.
The group would like to appeal to individuals with knowledge of family members for photographs of the soldier, either in uniform or not, and photos of medals or other memorabilia eg letters sent home from the Front. If you would be prepared to share these on this site, please email the web manager info@cumnockhistorygroup.org The group is willing to share any copies of documents found with the soldier's descendants.
Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Andrew M Kirkland
I am indebted to Linda Juchatz in USA for information about her great uncle.
Andrew Morton Kirkland was born on 13th May 1880 in Glengyron Row, Old Cumnock to George Kirkland and his wife Mary Morton. In the 1881 census they are at 69 Low Glencairn St, Kilmarnock where father George is a pit engineman. In 1901 census Andrew is a mason (builder) at 40 Montgomery St Kilmarnock. However he kept links with Cumnock as he married Cumnock lass Elizabeth Hamilton in 1906. Their first child was born in Kilmarnock but by the birth of oldest son George they are in Barrhill Road in Cumnock. Andrew died in Ballochmyle Hospital in 1958 aged 78. His usual address was Old Avenue, Auchinleck.
Andrew's ww1 records have not survived but we know from the Cumnock Roll of Honour that he was a Sergeant in the 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers, the local regiment. His medal roll card survives
1914-1920
Rank Sergeant
Company WO 329
Regiment or Corps Royal Scots Fusiliers
Regiment Number 265135
Medal Awarded British War Medal and Victory Medal
He had previously signed up for service with the RSF in 1901 and that record survives.
Linda sent me the photos of his parish war medal which she found amongst her grandfather's things. He was James G Kirkland and had emigrated to Philadelphia in 1907. James returned for a visit in 1925 and it is thought he was given it then.
Monday, 13 May 2024
Thomas Gibson Cochrane
Name | Thomas Gibson Cochrane |
---|---|
Birth Date | 13 Oct 1898 |
Year range | 1915-1917 |
Service Number | Z/8847 |
Division | Clyde |
Name | Thomas Gibson Cochrane |
---|---|
Birth Date | 13 Oct 1898 |
Birth Place | Cummock, Ayrshire |
Record Type | Military |
Military Service Start Date | 21 Aug 1917 |
Military Service End Date | 10 Feb 1919 |
Service Branch | Royal Navy |
War | World War I |
Occupation | Chemist |
Division | War Fleet Service Divisions |
Description | Clyde, Vol 12, Z08201-Z09200 |
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
The names on the War Memorial
The names are organised first by rank, then alphabetically.
Click below for all the names
Scroll over names to find information. Names are being added as they are discovered.
PANEL 1
Lieut. Edward Knight, R.S.F.
Lieut. A.J.B. Milne, Gordons
Lieut. William McNaughton, R.S.F.
P.O. James Young, R.N.
C.S.M.Robert W. Brown, A.I.Y.
C.S.M. Robert Orr M.M. & Bar R.S.F.
Sergt. Robert Baird M.M. R.S.
Sergt. George Burns, A.&.S.H.
Sergt. Robert Gilmour, R.S.F.
Sergt. James B. Johnstone, Camerons
Sergt. John Nicol, Seaforths
Sergt. William McCaa, R.F.A.
Corpl. John Black, R.S.F.
Corpl. Hugh Brogan, R.S.F.
Corpl. James Lennox, R.S.F.
Corpl. John McKinnon M.M. R.E.
Corpl. George Neil, H.L.I.
Sunday, 12 November 2023
John Kirkland
John (Jackie) Kirkland was born in Cumnock in 1897 making him very young when he enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers 1/5, reg numbers 240207 and 7013
John McCartney, RSF
John McCartney was born in Cumnock on the 25th May 1878 in Elbow Lane to William Clark Mccartney and Margaret Richmond. His father a tailor to trade, was also a successful horse trainer.
Wednesday, 11 October 2023
William Carter
William Carter was born on the 22nd February 1886 in Elbow Lane where his parents Francis Carter and Margaret Murray kept a lodging house. In the 1901 census aged 15 he was a pit bottomer. On his marriage certificate he was a farm servant when he married Jane Little of Craigbank in June 1912 and they had their first child, a daughter Catherine in April 1913.
William enlisted in the army in April 1913 with the 2nd Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders no.1192 then he served with the Royal Engineers no 83690 in the tunnelling corps and was sent to France. He was wounded for the third time at the battle of Hill 60 in spring 1915.
He gifted a book of Burns poems to Mr & Mrs H Sutherland which was found by Sarah Blackburn who has provided this information.
He died on the 25th March 1972 in Ballochmyle Hospital of respiratory failure due to silicosis (miner's lung) aged 86. His usual address was 23 Redree Place, New Cumnock. He is buried in New Cumnock Afton road cemetery along with his grandson Billy Woonton.
Monday, 24 April 2023
The Lodge Memorial
The Lodge Memorial in Cumnock New Cemetery
Saturday, 6 November 2021
Hugh Porteous
Hugh Porteous was born in 1895 in Motherwell. His mother Agnes married John Robert Hewitson a widower with 3 children in 1901 and by 1911 census the extended family was living at Roadside in Old Cumnock.
Hugh enlisted in March, 1916 his address was Glengyrow Row, Cumnock. He was a fireman. He had a slight weakness on the left side: facial muscles, arm and leg due possibly to a stroke in childhood. But he was deemed fit for service. (C1) This was also noted in 1917
He served in in the Royal Scots, The Black Watch, the 10th Works Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Reserve (Regimental Number 480461)
His was in the 516th Agricultural Corps in 1916 and his permanent address then was Alltan Albany, Barr by Girvan.
He served in France in 1918 for 264 days from January to October.
His stepbrother was Thomas Hewitson who was the same age as Hugh but was killed.
Hugh was badly affected by the war. He never married and was looked after by his younger sister Hannah Hewitson, Mrs Edgar until he died in 1975.
Medal Roll Card
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Friday, 24 September 2021
James McGrady
1/10 Royal Scots Service Number 375675
James McGrady born in Cumnock in 1894 son of James McGrady of 9 The Square, Cumnock enlisted on the 5th October 1916 in Ayr. at the age of 21 years 10 months He was a shoemaker. His next of kin was "Laura" his mother. (His mother was Jeanie)
He was discharged as unfit in October 1917 with neurasthenia and he had suffered as long as he could remember from childhood with a tremor.
His character was good.
He married Christina Anderson in 1921 and died suddenly in the Square in 1957.
He was a cousin of Thomas McGrady who also served
Thomas McGrady
Thomas McGrady born in 1897 enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in June 1917. He served a a gunner until December 1920. He was a shoemaker, single age 30, son of John McGrady of 117 Glaisnock St, Cumnock.
His service record survives. He served a a gunner until December 1920. He was a shoemaker, single age 30, son of John McGrady of 117 Glaisnock St, Cumnock. He was 5 ft 9 and a half inches tall. He served in France.
He was the cousin of James McGrady on this blog who also served.
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
George Findlay
George Findlay was born on 21 March 1871 in Lugar Street, Cumnock to George Samson Findlay and Sarah Hamilton. His father was born at Broomfield farm but by 1865 was the landlord of the Wheatsheaf Inn in Cumnock. George was an engineer and publican at the Wheatsheaf along with his mother Sarah after his father died.
He joined the fledgling RAF in July 1918 when he was 47 making him one of the oldest men to serve. He was 5 foot 9 and a half inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. His civilian occupation was fitter. His mother Sarah was his next of kin. He gave his DOB as 22 March 1871 which is a day later than what's on his birth certificate!
He was discharged on 30 April 1920.
I've not found what happened to him after that. He doesn't appear to have died in Cumnock.
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
History of the War Memorial
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Mathew Muir Advert |
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Cumnock Chronicle announcement 1920 |
Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Cumnock Chronicle 2014 War Articles
Cumnock Armistice Events 2019
Thursday 8th November – Baird Institute. Cumnock History Group present the story of the Cumnock War Memorials and how they were funded.
Drop-in Reminiscence Events
Tea, coffee, cakes, sandwiches and dancing!
There was a WW1 themed dressing-up box available on the day and people came in their own war outfit and got their photos taken.
Remembrance Service - Lugar Parish Church
Piper played Lament. All Churches rang out their bells across the town for 10 minutes.
Bugler played Reveille then the Benediction.