Saturday, 22 February 2014

Bugler Samuel Shields

Bugler Shields does not appear on Cumnock War Memorial. It was this article in the Cumnock Chronicle, 18 Jul 1918, which drew my attention to him.

Bugler Samuel Shields, R.S.
We reproduce a photo of a Cumnock descendant who has given his life for his country. Bugler Shields is the son of Mr and Mrs Samuel Shields who left this district for Glasgow some twenty years ago. Mr Shields (senior), who is a native of Cumnock, was formerly employed as an engineer with Messrs William Baird & Co., Lugar, and was well known in this district. For many years he had been employed at Blochairn Ironworks and, before enlisting, his son was also employed there. Bugler Shields, who was 19 years of age, was reported missing in 31st July of last year (1917) and is now officially returned as having died on or since that date. Much sympathy is extended to the parents and his extended family in their time of sorrow.
He was born in Elbow Lane on 24 May 1898 to Samuel McColl Shields and Elizabeth Gray Dunsmore.

Here is the family in the censuses (from ancestry site)

1901
Glasgow Barony
Carntyne Road
Samuel Shields             37 crane fitter born Cumnock
Elizabeth Shields             34
Thomas Shields             16
Jeanie Shields             13
Daniel Shields             8
Willie Shields             5
Samuel Shields             3
John Shields             3 Mos
Fleming Robb             38 boarder

1891
11 Elbow Lane, Cumnock
Samuel Shields             27 engineer millwright b Old Cumnock
Elizabeth Shields             24
Thomas Shields             6
Jeanie Shields             3
Magdelene Shields             11 Months


Bugler Shields's service record survives.  He enlisted in the Royal Scots in 1915 aged only 17. His occupation was crane driver. He had brown hair and eyes. He  was stationed in Montrose in 1916. (Men had to be aged 19 to fight abroad.) His date of birth was 24 May 1898.  One week after his 19th birthday he was posted to France (31 May 1917) and 2 months later he was missing, presumed dead.

His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth Shields of 1025 Duke Street, Glasgow. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

His brother Private William Shields of the RSF was awarded the MM.

CWGC

Cumnock Connections Tree

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