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.

Monday 7 April 2014

Driver James McPhie

James McPhie was born in Glasgow about 1888 and was a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps.

This from the Cumnock Chronicle


Photo by Bobby Grierson added March 2018


His service record survives.

He was living at Tower St, Cumnock aged 26 and a miner  when he enlisted in  the General Service Corps on 19th  January 1915 at Ayr. He had previously served 2 months in the RSF.  He was recruited by Sgt Lawrie.

He had a spell in hospital in 1916 with pneumonia.  He died at sea on board At Ellora returning to Basrah from leave of broncho pneumonia  on 17 Oct 1918.

Mary McPhie, his wife, of 27 Tower Street acknowledged receipt of a scroll and the King's letter in 1920.

He had 3 children Herbert Blane Skillen, John McPhie and Isabella McPhie. Wife's name Mary McConnell Mcphie, all living at 27 Tower St.

Mother Mary Rankin Brown 1 Hopehill Place off Hopehill Road Glasgow. His wife Mary did not know if he had any brothers or sisters.
They were married at Auchinleck on 5th November 1911.  Wife's maiden name Mary Skillen. Children Herbert Skillen b 4 Jun 1910 in Auchinleck, John  b 12 July 1914 Old Cumnock and Isabella Clelland b 6 Aug 1915 Cumnock.

On the Cumnock War Memorial he is down as Driver James McPhee, Royal Army Medical Corps, and he does seem to have spent some time with them too.



CWGC

Cumnock Connections tree

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