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.

Friday 28 February 2014

Gilbert and Hugh Hamilton

Gilbert Hamilton, killed on 18th July 1916 at the Somme, was born at Townhead in Cumnock on 6th Septemeber 1887 to Gilbert Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Gibson.

In 1891 the family was living in a cottage in Ayr Road.
Gilbert Hamilton             46 coal miner
Elizabeth Hamilton             35
Elizabeth Hamilton             14
John Hamilton             11
Janet Hamilton             9
Margaret Hamilton             6
Peter Hamilton             5
Gilbert Hamilton             3
Hugh Hamilton             1

In 1901 young Gilbert was a farm servant along with his older brother John at Knockterra (near Garrallan).
while his brother Hugh was visiting at Newfield Farm
and his parents were at Humeston Cottage
Gilbert Hamilton             50
Elizabeth Hamilton             45
Margaret Hamilton             16
Peter Hamilton             15
Jane Hamilton             9
Agnes Hamilton             7
David Hamilton             3
Crawford Hamilton             2 daughter


Gilbert married Elizabeth Bryce* in 1914. His address was 46 Garrallan Row, He was a coal miner. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Bryce and Margaret Munsie.
He enlisted  in the Cameron Highlanders and was a private with the 5th Battalion when he was killed at the Somme on the 18th July 1916. He is remembered on the Cumnock War Memorial and on the Thiepval Memorial in  France.  CWGC

*Elizabeth was a cousin of David Bryce also killed at the Somme two weeks earlier



His younger brother Hugh Hamilton is also on Cumnock War Memorial and in the same regiment.

Hugh, Mary and baby Gilbert

Hugh's enlistment papers survive.
His address was Holmhead, occupation coal miner
His wife was Mary Scott to whom he was married at Lugar on 31 Dec 1913
They had a son Gilbert born 31 Jan 1914 at 67 Townhead St. (named after the baby's grandfather) and a daughter Jane Scott Hamilton born in 1918.  It's likely Hugh never got to see his daughter.

He had previously been wounded on 13 Mar 1918 when he was "badly gassed and as a result loss both sight and speech" but was making "a good recovery." (Cumnock Chronicle)

His widow received a pension of 23/5 (I think, it's very faint) for herself and two children. She signed for his war medal and victory medal on 9 Sep 1921 at Holmhead.

He died on 25th October 1918 and is buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery in Belgium.
CWGC

Cumnock Connections tree

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