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 7 March 2018

William Earl MM


William Earl was born in Townhead, Cumnock on 13th December 1897. His parents were James Earl and Janet Bradford. By 1901 the family had moved to Glasgow and in 1918 they lived in Oxford Drive, North Kelvinside, Glasgow. 

When war was declared William was an employee of North British Railways and he immediately joined the Highland Light Infantry. In May 1915, on completion of his training at Leven, Fifeshire, he went with the big contingent to the Dardanelles  where he remained until the evacuation. He was then drafted to Egypt. It was while fighting in the Holy Land that he gained the Military Medal.

His regimental number was 200351 in the 7th HLI and he previously served with the 5th HLI no. 1820.


He married Agnes Ferguson in Glasgow 1923 and died in 1959.


He is a nephew of Nurse Agnes Kerr Earl.

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