3 Davidson brothers

Montgomery Davidson of 78 Skares Row lost three sons. This information came from an in Memoriam Announcement in the Cumnock Chronicle in 1918 by the men's sister Jessie, wife of Matthew Shirkie.

Cumnock Connections tree

The boys were all born in Dailly.

First, oldest son David Davidson, a Lance Corporal in the Royal Scots Fusiliers was killed in the Battle of Loos on 26 Sep 1915. David was married to Martha Keirs in 1901.

Thomas Davidson was a private with the RFA and was killed at Gallipoli on the 30th December 1915. Thomas had married Margaret Reid in 1912.

The youngest son Robert Davidson also a private with the RFA died in France on 27 Sep 1918.
Robert married Agnes McDicken in 1917.


This also from the Cumnock Chronicle of 11 October 1918

Skares

THE THIRD OF SEVEN SOLDIER BROTHERS TO FALL
The news that Pte Robert Davidson, son of Mr. Montgomerie Davidson, had fallen in action created profound sorrow in our little community. The sad news came from Sergt. W Truesdale. "Shaw", as Pte Davidson  was familiarly called, had been only a fortnight in France when he fell. Mr Davidson has already lost two sons in the war; three others have been wounded and a seventh discharged for health reasons. Pte Davidson was a well respected young man of about 22 years of age. He leaves a widow and young child and to them, as to his other relatives, sincere sympathy is extended,

Word has been received that Pte M Shirkie is a prisoner of war.

Corporal Tom McGinn D.C.M., R.A.M.C. is on leave from France - looking well.

and from the Cumnock Chronicle a few weeks later.

Their mother Janet McMurray had passed away in 1901 so was spared the grief of losing three sons.


Here's the family in 1901 census

Bargany Cottages, Dailly

Montgomery Davidson             46 coal miner b Kirkoswald

Janet Davidson             42

David B Davidson             23

Elizabeth J Davidson             16

John Davidson             15

Jessie Davidson             13 (who married Matthew Shirkie in 1906 - could he be the prisoner of war above?)

Thomas Davidson             11

Montgomery Davidson             9

James Davidson             8

Andrew Davidson             6

William Davidson             4

Robert Davidson             3

Martha Keier             24 (the future wife of David)

Was Tom recommended for the Victoria Cross? He wasn't awarded it.

Daily Record Saturday 4 Sep 1915

They had another scare with son James. He served with the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He had been missing but was in a German prison camp. See also the comment below.

Update: July 2020

photos found by Lorna Conaghan

Update 31 Dec 2020

Cumnock Chronicle 1987