I spotted a pension record for James Caig Davidson, a joiner of Tower St, in the employ of D. A. White of Cumnock.
He was born in Kirkcudbright and enlisted in E Company Volunteers of RSF in 1900 aged 17 yrs 3 months. He re-enlisted every year up from 1908 to 1912 by which time he was a Corporal. I can find no record of him serving in WW1 but he may well have.
He was the son of James Davidson a Cumnock born joiner and Mary Jane Caig.
He married Christina McNab in 1911 in Glasgow; he 29 master joiner of 1 Glaisnock St, Cumnock she 30 of Powdermill Rd, Furnace.
He died in Ayrshire in 1958.
Cumnock Connections tree
He is the brother of John Davidson
National Archives gives his date of birth
Remembering WW1 soldiers with a connection to Cumnock in Ayrshire, Scotland, including those who survived and others not mentioned on the War Memorial. Researched by Cumnock History Group.
Monday, 25 August 2014
John Davidson
I found the service record below while looking for something else.
John Davidson of 15 Waterside Place, Cumnock was a 21 yr old joiner in 23 Feb 1916
He was with the Army Service Corps and sailed in June 1916 from Southhampton to le Havre in France on the SS Alexandria.
I got his marriage certificate to establish his parents.
He married Mary S Richmond, a widow, whose maiden name was Young.
Cumnock Connections tree
He is the brother of James Caig Davidson and the cousin of Richard Davidson.
John Davidson of 15 Waterside Place, Cumnock was a 21 yr old joiner in 23 Feb 1916
He was with the Army Service Corps and sailed in June 1916 from Southhampton to le Havre in France on the SS Alexandria.
I got his marriage certificate to establish his parents.
He married Mary S Richmond, a widow, whose maiden name was Young.
Cumnock Connections tree
He is the brother of James Caig Davidson and the cousin of Richard Davidson.
| John Davidson's Service Record | |||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Date: | abt 1895 | ||||||
| Age at Enlistment: | 21 | ||||||
| Marriage Date: | 23 Nov 1915 | ||||||
| Marriage Place: | Blythswood | ||||||
| Residence Place: | 15 Waterside Place Old?? Ayrshire | ||||||
| Document Year: | 1916 | ||||||
| Regimental Number: | 172650 | ||||||
| Number of Images: | 9 | ||||||
| Form Title: | Attestation | ||||||
| Other Records: | Search for 'John Davidson' in other WWI collections | ||||||
| Family Members: |
|
Saturday, 23 August 2014
George McCririck
This man is on Dundonald War Memorial.
Despite the record below, he was born on 11 July 1895 in Ayr. He was the son of Cumnock farmer James McCririck of Muirdyke Farm and Agnes McDade.
In the 1901 census
Muirdyke Farm, Cumnock
Jas Mc Crerick 37 farmer b Cumnock
Agnes Mc Crerick 34
George Mc Crerick 6 b Ayr
Charles Mc Crerick 4
Jas Mc Crerick 2
Jane Mc Crerick 71
Mary Thomson 13
Jas McLean 3
Cumnock Connections tree
CWGC
His war grave is in Jerusalem War Cemetery.
Despite the record below, he was born on 11 July 1895 in Ayr. He was the son of Cumnock farmer James McCririck of Muirdyke Farm and Agnes McDade.
| George McCririck | |
| Birth Place: | Old Cumnock, Ayrshire |
|---|---|
| Residence: | Troon, Ayrshire |
| Death Date: | 27 Dec 1917 |
| Death Place: | Palestine |
| Enlistment Place: | Ayr |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Royal Scots Fusiliers |
| Battalion: | 12th Battalion |
| Regimental Number: | 295220 |
| Type of Casualty: | Killed in action |
| Theatre of War: | Egyptian Theatre |
In the 1901 census
Muirdyke Farm, Cumnock
Jas Mc Crerick 37 farmer b Cumnock
Agnes Mc Crerick 34
George Mc Crerick 6 b Ayr
Charles Mc Crerick 4
Jas Mc Crerick 2
Jane Mc Crerick 71
Mary Thomson 13
Jas McLean 3
Cumnock Connections tree
CWGC
His war grave is in Jerusalem War Cemetery.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Andrew Easton
I cannot pinpoint this man who is on Cumnock War Memorial. Can anyone recognise the name? He was in the same Battalion as my father-in-law.
CWGC
He left his effects to Bella Easton of Furnace Row, Wishaw. She is single, a sister?
She got £6 3/3 (here she is Mrs Bella Easton, could be wrong)
| Name: | Andrew Easton |
|---|---|
| Birth Place: | Motherwell, Lanarkshire |
| Residence: | Wishaw, Lanarkshire |
| Death Date: | 22 Aug 1915 |
| Death Place: | Gallipoli |
| Enlistment Place: | Ayr |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Royal Scots Fusiliers |
| Battalion: | 1st 5th Battalion |
| Regimental Number: | 7474 |
| Type of Casualty: | Killed in action |
| Theatre of War: | Balkan Theatre |
CWGC
He left his effects to Bella Easton of Furnace Row, Wishaw. She is single, a sister?
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
James Hawthorn Tennant
James a 27 year old pithead man of 41 Tower St Old Cumnock re-enlisted in 1916 having previously served 4 years in the Territorials. His service record survived.
He was born in Dalmellington to John Tennant and Hester Hawthorn.
He was married to Janet Young at Woodend in Cumnock in 1911 and had children John Murray Tennant 7 May 1913 and Margaret Young Tennant 5 May 1915 in Cumnock.
He served in France.
He suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh in 1917 and was in hospital 47 days.
He was a gunner in the RFA
Cumnock Connections tree
He was born in Dalmellington to John Tennant and Hester Hawthorn.
He was married to Janet Young at Woodend in Cumnock in 1911 and had children John Murray Tennant 7 May 1913 and Margaret Young Tennant 5 May 1915 in Cumnock.
He served in France.
He suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh in 1917 and was in hospital 47 days.
He was a gunner in the RFA
Cumnock Connections tree
Monday, 18 August 2014
Thomas Campbell of Cronberry
There is a Thomas Campbell of the RSF on Cumnock War Memorial, but this man is on Muirkirk's War Memorial.
This Thomas Campbell was born in Cumnock at Kilnholm Place on 27 October 1878 to Thomas Campbell and Janet Baillie.
He is the Thomas N Campbell on Muirkirk War Memorial. "Nicol" was his nickname.
The family moved to Cronberry not long after he was born. He married married Margaret Slimmon Spence of Muirkirk in Cronberry in 1903.
He was a miner but latterly a railway worker in Muirkirk. He played football for Cronberry Eglinton.
His brother George (nickname Cree) emigrated to the USA but sent money for the Christmas parcels for local soldiers back to Cumnock.
Thomas died in France on 30th July 1916. At first he was reported as a prisoner of war and was not declared dead until April 1917. He left a widow with 4 children. His daughter Marion was born after his death.
Many thanks to Tony Campbell for information and permission to use his images.
CWGC
Cumnock Connections tree
This Thomas Campbell was born in Cumnock at Kilnholm Place on 27 October 1878 to Thomas Campbell and Janet Baillie.
He is the Thomas N Campbell on Muirkirk War Memorial. "Nicol" was his nickname.
The family moved to Cronberry not long after he was born. He married married Margaret Slimmon Spence of Muirkirk in Cronberry in 1903.
He was a miner but latterly a railway worker in Muirkirk. He played football for Cronberry Eglinton.
His brother George (nickname Cree) emigrated to the USA but sent money for the Christmas parcels for local soldiers back to Cumnock.
Thomas died in France on 30th July 1916. At first he was reported as a prisoner of war and was not declared dead until April 1917. He left a widow with 4 children. His daughter Marion was born after his death.
Many thanks to Tony Campbell for information and permission to use his images.
 | ||
| Scroll |
 |
| Letter from the King |
CWGC
Cumnock Connections tree
Saturday, 16 August 2014
Lt Col John Douglas Boswell
John Douglas Boswell was born on 16th February 1867 at Garrallan House, the second son of Patrick Charles Douglas Boswell a JP and landed proprietor.
He was educated at Loretto, gained a BA at Brasenose College, Oxford and BL at Glasgow University. He was a lawyer.
He played rugby for Scotland 1889-1894
He served in the Boer War and in France in WW1 and in 1917 was awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle.
He was married and had at least 2 children: Jean Campbell Douglas Boswell and John Patrick Douglas Boswell (born 1910 in Edinburgh).
He died in Edinburgh on 8th January 1948.
He was educated at Loretto, gained a BA at Brasenose College, Oxford and BL at Glasgow University. He was a lawyer.
He played rugby for Scotland 1889-1894
He served in the Boer War and in France in WW1 and in 1917 was awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle.
 |
| Cumnock Chronicle March 1917 |
He was married and had at least 2 children: Jean Campbell Douglas Boswell and John Patrick Douglas Boswell (born 1910 in Edinburgh).
He died in Edinburgh on 8th January 1948.
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Thomas McGinn DCM, RAMC
On 27 Sep 1917 it was reported in the Cumnock Chronicle that Corporal Thomas McGinn was presented with a gold watch at Skares in recognition of his DCM.
He was the son of John McGinn of 137 Skares. (Chronicle 17 Nov 1916) He had 2 brothers also in the RAMC James and Robert.
And in 1918 Tom McGinn was mentioned again in the Chronicle as being home on leave and looking well.
This is his citation for the DCM 25 Nov 1916
1921-22 Post Office Directory. Could this be him living in Leith after the war?
RAMC
He died in Edinburgh in 1976 age 85.
Cumnock Connections tree
He was the son of John McGinn of 137 Skares. (Chronicle 17 Nov 1916) He had 2 brothers also in the RAMC James and Robert.
And in 1918 Tom McGinn was mentioned again in the Chronicle as being home on leave and looking well.
This is his citation for the DCM 25 Nov 1916
1921-22 Post Office Directory. Could this be him living in Leith after the war?
RAMC
He died in Edinburgh in 1976 age 85.
Cumnock Connections tree
George Bradford and Bois le Carré
Jenny Humphrey née Bradford went to visit her great uncle's grave in Bois le Carré in France earlier this month.
She left a memento on behalf of Cumnock.
George Bradford's grave.
Jenny and 2 of her grandchildren.
Many thanks to Jenny and her family for sharing these moments.
James Templeton Smith
In the 1901 census
Muirpark Buildings, Beith
John Boyd Smith 51 chairmaker
Agnes Jane Smith 46
William Smith 25
Margaret Smith 20 wood carry
James Smith 15 cabinet maker's apprentice
John Smith 11
At the age of 22 years and 11 months he enlisted in the 4th Battalion, RSF in Beith in April 1908. He had previously served with the IVB RSF (volunteer brigade?) since Feb 1907.
His father is John B Smith of Crummock Street Beith.
He was discharged in Kilmarnock on 2nd April 1909 at the termination of his one year engagement.
He would have been in WW1 as well but I cannot locate any more info on him. There are too many James Smiths!
He is connected via the Templetons to CHG member Janet Smith who provided the photo.
Cumnock Connections tree
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Nurse Margaret Bissett
From the Cumnock Chronicle
The Royal Red Cross was conferred on Nurse Margaret Bissett of Cumnock, Nurse Jeanie Dunlop of Catrine and Sister A H Paton of Auchinleck on 2 Mar 1917.
Margaret Bissett was born about 1892 in Cronberry to colliery blacksmith Robert Bissett of Closeburn and his wife Annie Aitken of Auchinleck. Her brothers Robert and James served in the army.
She was a staff nurse at the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital at Bellahouston, Glasgow.
She was with the Scottish Women's Hospital at Ajaccio in Corsica from May til November 1917 and was awarded the British War Medal.
She was presented with her award by the King at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 6th April 1918.
After the war she married Arthur Hayward of London a sub-editor in 1920. Her address at that time was 12 Urbana Terrace, Baird Street, Cumnock. She was a nurse.
Cumnock Connections tree
The other recipients of the medal were Jeanie or Jane Dunlop of Catrine who was a sister in the 4th Scottish General Hospital at Stobhill and Agnes Hendrie Paton of Auchinleck who was a sister at Queen Mary's Hospital in Whalley Lancashire. They both were presented with their medal on Saturday 24th March 1917 by the King at Buckingham Palace. (Thanks to Jenny Bradford for looking them up)
Agnes Hendrie Paton known as Nancy married architect Thomas Phillips Figgis in 1930. She died in 1989 at the age of 101 at Doonfoot in Ayr.
Red Cross
Scottish Women's Hospitals
The Royal Red Cross was conferred on Nurse Margaret Bissett of Cumnock, Nurse Jeanie Dunlop of Catrine and Sister A H Paton of Auchinleck on 2 Mar 1917.
Margaret Bissett was born about 1892 in Cronberry to colliery blacksmith Robert Bissett of Closeburn and his wife Annie Aitken of Auchinleck. Her brothers Robert and James served in the army.
She was a staff nurse at the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital at Bellahouston, Glasgow.
She was with the Scottish Women's Hospital at Ajaccio in Corsica from May til November 1917 and was awarded the British War Medal.
She was presented with her award by the King at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 6th April 1918.
After the war she married Arthur Hayward of London a sub-editor in 1920. Her address at that time was 12 Urbana Terrace, Baird Street, Cumnock. She was a nurse.
Cumnock Connections tree
The other recipients of the medal were Jeanie or Jane Dunlop of Catrine who was a sister in the 4th Scottish General Hospital at Stobhill and Agnes Hendrie Paton of Auchinleck who was a sister at Queen Mary's Hospital in Whalley Lancashire. They both were presented with their medal on Saturday 24th March 1917 by the King at Buckingham Palace. (Thanks to Jenny Bradford for looking them up)
Agnes Hendrie Paton known as Nancy married architect Thomas Phillips Figgis in 1930. She died in 1989 at the age of 101 at Doonfoot in Ayr.
Red Cross
Scottish Women's Hospitals
Monday, 11 August 2014
William Begg, MM
Sergeant William Begg was born on the 24th March 1890 in Hollowsholm, Cumnock
The Cumnock Chronicle provides some information:
He was awarded the Military Medal on 13 July 1917 and was presented with a gold wristwatch (at Lugar) on 5th Oct 1917. He was in the Seaforths.
He died of wounds received on 10th December on 23 Dec 1917. He had a leg amputated.
He was 27 and the oldest son of George Begg and Jeanie Connor who married in 1890.
In the 1891 census though Jeanie is recorded in her maiden name of Conner, as in William.
1891
Hollowsholm Farm Cumnock
William Begg 71 farmer b Dalmellington
Mary Begg 71
Adam Begg 35
George Begg 29 son pithead man b Lugar
Jane Conner 24 servant dairy maid b Cronberry
William Conner 1 b Cumnock
By 1901 census George is the head of the house
Hollowholm Farm Cumnock
George Begg 40 farmer
Jane Begg 34
Wm Begg 11
Thomas Begg 9
Adam Begg 6
Daniel Begg 5
Susannah Begg 1
Margaret Baillie 63
John Baillie 43
The Cumnock Chronicle provides some information:
He was awarded the Military Medal on 13 July 1917 and was presented with a gold wristwatch (at Lugar) on 5th Oct 1917. He was in the Seaforths.
He died of wounds received on 10th December on 23 Dec 1917. He had a leg amputated.
He was 27 and the oldest son of George Begg and Jeanie Connor who married in 1890.
In the 1891 census though Jeanie is recorded in her maiden name of Conner, as in William.
1891
Hollowsholm Farm Cumnock
William Begg 71 farmer b Dalmellington
Mary Begg 71
Adam Begg 35
George Begg 29 son pithead man b Lugar
Jane Conner 24 servant dairy maid b Cronberry
William Conner 1 b Cumnock
By 1901 census George is the head of the house
Hollowholm Farm Cumnock
George Begg 40 farmer
Jane Begg 34
Wm Begg 11
Thomas Begg 9
Adam Begg 6
Daniel Begg 5
Susannah Begg 1
Margaret Baillie 63
John Baillie 43
Son of George and Jeanie Begg, of 428, New Row, Lugar, Cumnock, Ayrshire.
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
Age: 27
Date of death: 23-12-1917
Buried at: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
Awards: Military MedalCWGC
Cumnock Connections
His service record does not survive but that of his brother Daniel does. He enlisted in 1914 but was discharged a few weeks later as unfit, "unable to march". Father George was at Craigstonholm.
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Major Montagu I M Campbell, MC
Montagu Irving Mitchell Campbell was born at Glaisnock House on 13 Nov 1879, the son of Captain Robert Mitchell Campbell of Auchmannoch. (He was named after his mother's brother Montagu Stevenson in case you're wondering).
It was a well to do military family with property, Auchmannoch Estate in Sorn. He was educated at Eton and a professional soldIer. However war is no respecter of persons. Montagu died in France on the 4th September 1916. He was married with a baby daughter.
He does not appear on Cumnock War Memorial. He is on the Folkestone Roll of Honour. He went to school at Sutherland House school in Folkestone (1891 census).
Cumnock Connections tree
CWGC
 |
| from Cumnock Chronicle |
It was a well to do military family with property, Auchmannoch Estate in Sorn. He was educated at Eton and a professional soldIer. However war is no respecter of persons. Montagu died in France on the 4th September 1916. He was married with a baby daughter.
He does not appear on Cumnock War Memorial. He is on the Folkestone Roll of Honour. He went to school at Sutherland House school in Folkestone (1891 census).
Cumnock Connections tree
CWGC
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
How to add Cumnock soldiers to Every Man Remembered
Thank you for volunteering to transfer our research to the British Legion's Every Man Remembered site.
Kay will allocate you a few soldiers' names from http://cumnocksoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/ . You select some of the information from this blog and add it to the Story Section finishing with "Researched and remembered by Cumnock History Group"
Here's an example A Dickens
Instructions:
Go to http://www.everymanremembered.org
Register to use the site with an email address and password (remember these!)
Choose "Commemorate someone I know"
Note - nothing goes on the site until you hit publish, so have a practice first.
Search for the soldier in the data base. The regimental number may be the best way of locating him if it is a common name. It should match the information on the CWGC site which will be in my original post.
Once you have located the soldier, hit Commemorate now. You will be asked to register or log in. The log in is right at the bottom of the options.
Choose a short Commemoration. eg Lest we forget There are pre-written options as well. Hit CONFIRM.
There is an option to add up to 5 photos. If we have a photo of the soldier by all means add it. You would need to download the photo to your computer or take a screen grab of it first. SKIP THIS STep if no photo.
Then go to Stories. Select some of the most relevant information from the Cumnock site. You can cut and paste. Add Ayrshire so people will know where Cumnock is!
Finish with "Researched and remembered by Cumnock History Group"
Check carefully and edit if necessary before you Publish.
You will be asked to donate. You can close this box.
Add a poppy for him to Cumnock. Give a reason - he was born here or he lived here or his family came from here.
Let us and the world know by sharing on facebook /twitter. On facebook you can choose to save to a group eg Cumnock Family History.
Job done!
Having said all that I am finding the site quite tricky to use. Try a different browser. I believe Google Chrome might be the best!
Kay will allocate you a few soldiers' names from http://cumnocksoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/ . You select some of the information from this blog and add it to the Story Section finishing with "Researched and remembered by Cumnock History Group"
Here's an example A Dickens
Instructions:
Go to http://www.everymanremembered.org
Register to use the site with an email address and password (remember these!)
Choose "Commemorate someone I know"
Note - nothing goes on the site until you hit publish, so have a practice first.
Search for the soldier in the data base. The regimental number may be the best way of locating him if it is a common name. It should match the information on the CWGC site which will be in my original post.
Once you have located the soldier, hit Commemorate now. You will be asked to register or log in. The log in is right at the bottom of the options.
Choose a short Commemoration. eg Lest we forget There are pre-written options as well. Hit CONFIRM.
There is an option to add up to 5 photos. If we have a photo of the soldier by all means add it. You would need to download the photo to your computer or take a screen grab of it first. SKIP THIS STep if no photo.
Then go to Stories. Select some of the most relevant information from the Cumnock site. You can cut and paste. Add Ayrshire so people will know where Cumnock is!
Finish with "Researched and remembered by Cumnock History Group"
Check carefully and edit if necessary before you Publish.
You will be asked to donate. You can close this box.
Add a poppy for him to Cumnock. Give a reason - he was born here or he lived here or his family came from here.
Let us and the world know by sharing on facebook /twitter. On facebook you can choose to save to a group eg Cumnock Family History.
Job done!
Having said all that I am finding the site quite tricky to use. Try a different browser. I believe Google Chrome might be the best!
Monday, 4 August 2014
100 years ago
A personal message today from my grandfather to my mother. She was born in 1910. My grandfather survived the war. He was a driver in the Army Service Corps and was a chauffeur by profession.
Friday, 1 August 2014
James Mcgee Begg
James Mcgee Begg was born in 1882 in Cumnock to George Begg and Margaret Tannahill.
He was assistant to the City Engineer in Edmonton Alberta Canada when war broke out and he sailed home on the Mauritania on 20 Sep. from NewYork to Liverpool to enlist in the British Army. He claimed his fare back later from the army.
Enlisted 29 Oct 1914 in Glasgow in 1st Highland Field Company (royal engineers)
His next of kin Mrs George Begg Greenbank Cumnock. He was 32 years 8 months, 5 ft 9in, with a 36" chest.
He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and served the duration of the war.
He married Jean Meikle Baird in Muirkirk in 1918. Her address after marriage was Kaimshill, Muirkirk. They don't appear to have had any children.
Cumnock Connections tree
After the war he went back to Edmonton. He retired to Prestwick and died there in 1967.
He was assistant to the City Engineer in Edmonton Alberta Canada when war broke out and he sailed home on the Mauritania on 20 Sep. from NewYork to Liverpool to enlist in the British Army. He claimed his fare back later from the army.
Enlisted 29 Oct 1914 in Glasgow in 1st Highland Field Company (royal engineers)
His next of kin Mrs George Begg Greenbank Cumnock. He was 32 years 8 months, 5 ft 9in, with a 36" chest.
He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and served the duration of the war.
He married Jean Meikle Baird in Muirkirk in 1918. Her address after marriage was Kaimshill, Muirkirk. They don't appear to have had any children.
Cumnock Connections tree
After the war he went back to Edmonton. He retired to Prestwick and died there in 1967.
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