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 8 September 2014

George R E McBride, DCM


George Rodger Ethridge McBride was born in Glengyron Row, Cumnock on 26th September 1893 to 18yr old Elizabeth Ethridge. He was brought up by his grandmother Helen Rodger, and her second husband Gilbert McBride.

Here he is on Cumnock Connections tree

By the 1901 census the family had moved on to Dreghorn
2 Warwickhill Rows

Gilbert Mcbride             44  coal miner hewer born St Quivox
Ellen Mcbride             43
Gilbert Mcbride             19
William Mcbride             16
Ellen Mcbride             4
George Ethridge             6 grandson b Cumnock



George enlisted on 2nd June 1915 in the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers by which time he was in Muirkirk.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). This is his citation.


He has at all times shown great gallantry and devotion to duty. During the advance from Ypres, on 28th September 1918, when all his company officers and senior non-commissioned officers had become casualties, he showed marked courage, initiative and resource.  Although wounded he carried on for four days.



He was transferred to the Reserves on the 19th January 1919 and returned to mining in Muirkirk.


He married Mary Kirkwood in 1921 and they had 5 children, George, May, Robert, Rodger and Andrew.



He bore the scars of war across the bridge of his nose onto his cheek caused by shrapnel from a shell burst. He also had a shoulder wound.  He never spoke of his wartime experience. When pushed, all he said was, "he did his duty".

He died at home in Muirkirk on 10th January 1952 and is buried in Muirkirk Cemetery.



With grateful thanks to George's grandson, George Ethridge McBride who provided the photos and information.

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