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 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.
Welcome Home Dance 1919
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Town Hall December 2019 - 100th Anniversary |
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Typical Hall decorations in wartime |
From a Cumnock Chronicle article 1919
Duncan Cameron
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Duncan and John Cameron |
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Duncan Cameron 1964 |
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HMS Repulse |
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HMS Barham
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John Cameron
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Brothers Duncan and John Cameron 1914.
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University of British Columbia Library |
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Crichton Memorial Church build 1899. John is 3rd from left on front row. |
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Lugar Street, Cumnock 1905. John is3rd from left. |