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.

Friday 7 February 2020

James Neil 1880 - 1915

James Neil lived most of his life in Lugar near Cumnock although he was actually born in Muirkirk on the 11th September 1880, the fifth child of Andrew Neil, a pit contractor, and his wife Agnes Ferguson.

James married Elizabeth Smith from Irvine in Lugar in 1906 and they had five daughters.

Little is known of his service other than that he was with the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers, regimental number 12266 and was missing presumed dead at the Battle of Loos on 26th September 1915.

He left a  will though. He was a pit headman and lived at Walker's Row Auchinleck. Brother Robert was the executor of his will.



His name was recently added to the Auchinleck war memorial


Elizabeth Neil nee Smith with her 5 daughters   standing L to R  Annie, Myra (Mary), Margaret Sitting Agnes, mum Elizabeth and Nettie (Janet)



James Neil on the Cumnock Connections tree













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