John McKinnon, MM

John McKinnon was born in Cumnock about 1895 to John McKinnon a slater, plumber and gasfitter and his wife Jemima.

In 1901 the family was at Hayfield Cottage in Cumnock.

John McKinnon     43 plumber and gas fitter  b Cumnock
Jemima McKinnon     37 b Mauchline
William S McKinnon     16
Maggie W McKinnon     14
Douglas R McKinnon     12
Mary McKinnon     8
Lizzie R McKinnon     7
John McKinnon     5
Janet McKinnon     2
Jemima S McKinnon     9 M

Cumnock Chronicle 1918

John was a Lance Corporal in The Royal Engineers and was killed in France on 4th November 1918, so close to the Armistice. He is buried at the ORS British Cemetery in France. He was 23.

His father was deceased and his mother living by this time at 2 Alexandra Terrace, Ayr.

He had been affected by gas in August 1917.

He was awarded the Military Medal in 1918.

His name is on the Cumnock War Memorial.

His record on CWGC 

The family on Cumnock Connections tree

It's possible that the 3 young lads are John McKinnon senior's 3 sons, making the lad on the right John.

Cumnock Chronicle