WW1 Soldiers from Cumnock: September 2018

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.

Sunday 23 September 2018

George Farrell

George Farrell was born at Changuebank Cottages in 1884. No records for his military service survived but he is mentioned in the 1919 Welcome Home list published in the Cumnock Chronicle along with brothers James and Westley.

His great granddaughter relates that he died in hospital in 1923 as a result of what we would now call post traumatic stress disorder. His widow received a widow's pension. They had 7 surviving children.

She also had this photo of George Farrell back row left.

On Cumnock Connections tree
Brother-in-law of Niven Withers.

May be on FMP

Farrell

1917

2730

Private

Royal Scots

19th General Hospital

Saturday 22 September 2018

Robert Bissett

Robert Bissett was born in Lugar in 1888 to Robert Bissett and Annie Aitken.

He was an Air Mechanic First Class in RAF. Reg No 23093.

His civilian occupation was cycle mechanic.

He survived and lived to the age of 90.

James A Bissett

James Aitken Bissett was born in Lugar in 1887, son of Robert Bissett and Annie Aitken.

By WW1 the family was in Urbana Terrace in Cumnock. He died in Glasgow in 1943.

Royal Engineers

Regimental Number: 93823

James on Cumnock Connections tree

His brother Robert also served and his sister Margaret was a nurse.

Monday 10 September 2018

The Chronicles of Cumnock

We are thrilled that a new dramatic piece has been written based on the WW1 stories we have found in the Cumnock Chronicle.

Part of the Cumnock Tryst 2018, Sir James MacMillan has commissioned Martin Travers of the Citizens Theatre to dramatise the stories and pupils from Doon Academy in Dalmellington have been working with him, professional musicians and dancers to create an original work, "The Chronicles of Cumnock" to be played against a backdrop of projected photographs of soldiers.

We have a had a sneak peak at the script and it is very moving and powerful and we are really looking forward to the performance on Friday 5th October 2018 at 2pm in Cumnock Academy. And it is free though you need to reserve a ticket. Don't miss it!

The Cumnock Tryst