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 5 February 2014

William Findlay


From the Cumnock Chronicle 6 Sep 1918


Mrs Findlay, Wheat Sheaf Inn has received a letter from the Captain of the regiment to which her son William was attached containing the sad news of his death in action on August 21st. Pte Findlay joined the Yeomanry in the first year of the war, but had only been in France since the beginning of this year and there he was transferred to the R.S.F. At the time of enlisting her was employed with Mrs Riggans, butcher. He took a keen interest in working with young horses, and was to be seen at most district shows showing off their paces in the ring. Pte Findlay was held in respect by all who knew him, and much sympathy is felt for his aged mother and other members of the family. He was 35 years of age.

They had the Wheatsheaf Inn in Bank Lane
1901 census 
Bank Lane
Sarah Findlay 60
George Findlay 29 Publican & Engineer Mechanical
Annie Findlay 31
William Findlay 18 Apprentice Butcher (so born about 1882)
Robert Lyon 9 grandson
Andrew Walker 8 grandson
Sarah Lyons 2 granddaughter
Annie McCartney 16 servant

 1891 census
Bank Lane
Sarah H Findlay     50
Annie Findlay     21
George Findlay     20
Margret Findlay     18
David Findlay     16
Hugh Findlay     13
William Findlay     8

 1881 census
Bank Lane
George Findlay     38 joiner
Sarah Findlay     40
Elizabeth Findlay     13
Annie Findlay     11
George Findlay     10
Margaret Findlay     8
David Findlay     6
Hugh Findlay     3
Sarah Findlay     5 Mos

His parents were George Findlay, joiner and Sarah Hamilton

He is buried in Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery, France and remembered in Cumnock War Memorial.

Note: Some trees have him married to Margaret Dunsmuir.  Just pulled the certificate and it is a different William Findlay! Thought it odd that the wife didn't get a mention.

William Findlay born in Cumnock 1889 son of William Findlay and Mary Watson and married to Margaret Dunsmuir served with the RSF 8th Btn 13948 and the Labour Crops and was a Lance Corporal. He died in Cumnock in 1963.

Cumnock Connections tree

CWGC
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