WW1 Soldiers from Cumnock: December 2019

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.

Thursday 12 December 2019

Captain William Harrison Campbell Kirkland

William was born in 1884 in Springburn, Glasgow.

By 1901 the family, headed by his widowed mother, was living at the Burns Inn in Cumnock where his older brother Alexander was manager. They were still in Cumnock when war broke out.

William had studied law at Edinburgh University and was a member of the Faculty of Advocates.

He was a Captain in the Cameron Highlanders. He fell at the Battle of Loos and his batman who also died was Michael Shirkie of Skares, Cumnock. Michael's sister got a letter addressed to any living relative of Michael Shirkie, Skares. It was from Captain Kirkland's sister and the postman delivered it to Nellie, Michael's sister. The two families kept in touch. More about this here. It was one of the first blogposts.

Captain Kirkland on Cumnock Connections tree with obituary from the Faculty of Advocates.

George Murray

Born in Cumnock in 1895 to John Murray, an estate work on Dumfries House estate, and his wife Euphemia Mathieson.

He married Campbell Fisher Arkieston on Christmas Day 1914 and they had two sons John in 1915 and George Mathieson in 1917. His address was 1 Manse Lane, Cumnock when he enlisted in 1916 at Ayr. He was a colliery despatch clerk. His service record survives.

He rose to the rank of Corporal 2997 in the Cameron Highlanders.

He died in Ballochmyle Hospital in 1956. His usual address was 24 Park Terrace, Lugar and he was a clerk with the National Coal Board.

On the Cumnock Roll of Honour this seems to be him

Murray, George – Corporal Royal Scots Fusiliers

Cumnock Connections tree