The Scottish War Graves Project

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

On the South East edge of the village on the road to Newton Stewart just before the bridge over the river. (OS ref NX 231 825). Commonwealth War Graves: 4.
[Note: there is a newer cemetery on the minor road leading up to the railway station but there were no military graves there at the time of my visit.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: LAWSON, CHARLES WILLIAM
Initials: CW
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 279 Field Coy
Age: 22
Date of Death: 28 April 1941
Service Number: 1886101
Additional Information: Son of Charles and Christina Lawson, of Drumlamford.
Grave Reference: Sec H, Grave 64
Cemetery: Barrhill Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: MCCLUNG, MATTHEW
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Driver
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Age: 36
Date of Death: 16 July 1921
Service Number: T4/043722
Additional Information: Son of John McClung, of Barrhill, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: Old. 91
Cemetery: Barrhill Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (28 July 1921, Births, Marriages & Deaths): McClung - At Barrhill, the residence of his father, on the 16th July, Matthew McClung, eldest son of John McClung, and beloved husband of Annie Main.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: MACKNIGHT, ALEXANDER MITCHELL
Initials: AM
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery, 124 Lt. A. A. Regt
Date of Death: 16 August 1946
Service Number: 3191043
Grave Reference: Sec E. Grave 36-40
Cemetery: Barrhill Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: SCOTT, THOMAS FRENCH
Initials: TF
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 24th Bn
Age: 34
Date of Death: 25 September 1916
Service Number: 2291
Additional Information: Son of David F. Scott, of Laggish, Barrhill, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: B. 11
Cemetery: Barrhill Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (14 September 1916): Private Tom Scott, who was wounded in the recent fighting in France, is now making excellent progress. He received his wounds in an attack near Trones Wood on the 28th July. A shell burst over his section and killed or wounded every man in it, except one. Sergeant Armstrong, Ringford, was killed, and Sergeant John Sproat, Baldoon, was wounded at the same time. Tom Scott was hit in the knee, and was severely wounded. He was operated on at Havre, and later on was sent to Netley, where several other operations were performed for the purpose of extracting splinters from the knee. Ultimately it was found necessary to amputate the leg, which was done on 20th August. Since then he has picked up wonderfully, and is now making quite a satisfactory recovery.

Wigtownshire Free Press (5 October 2014): The news of the death, in Netley Hospital, from wounds received in action, of Tom Scott, Laggish, Barrhill, will be heard all over the district with feelings of the most genuine regret. For many years the brothers Bryce and Tom Scott were probably the best known athletes in the South of Scotland, and no sports meeting was considered complete without their presence. A younger brother, David, who is now an officer in the Army, was also coming to the front in the athletic arena, and for a season or two before the war broke out it was no uncommon thing to see the three brothers competing in the same events. While Bryce's speciality was jumping, Tom also excelled in the heavy events, and between them they generally took the chief awards in these. Shortly after the war broke out, Tom decided, though it involved considerable sacrifice, that duty called him to the Army, and accordingly enlisted with the Sportsman's Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and, as was only to be expected from one who was so apt at games, he soon became an expert bomber. After completing his training, he went to the front with his battalion, and served in the trenches for some months. He was wounded by a shrapnel bullet in the knee during an attack on the enemy's position towards the end of July, and later on, when in hospital at Netley, it was found necessary to amputate his leg. After the operation, hopes were entertained of his early recovery, and for a time he appeared to be making good progress. Unfortunately, he had a relapse, and passed quietly away on Monday of last week. His death at the early age of thirty-four brings to a close a life of much usefulness and promise. He was a fine type of manhood, six feet of muscularity with a mind built on as generous proportions as his body. Popular everywhere he went, on the sports field or off it, he was a sportsman in the best sense of the word, and he proved his manhood in the sternest test of all - on the battlefield, fighting for his country. Much sympathy is felt for his parents, brothers, and sisters in their bereavement. The coffin was conveyed from the station, Barrhill, to the United Reform Church on Wednesday last, and remained there covered by the folds of the Union Jack overnight. On Thursday a funeral service was conducted in the church, Rev Wm Gordon BD reading the sentences from scripture, and Rev John Graham Andrews MA offering a prayer. There was a large attendance. The bell of the Parish Church was tolled. At the close of the service the coffin was borne through the church in impressive silence. A large company of mourners followed the hearse to the burial ground, blinds being all down in the village street. Brave lads from the perish lie in quiet resting places near the fields of battle abroad, and this, the first soldier's funeral in the parish, thrilled the hearts of all in a common but proud sorrow.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: AITCHISON, ARCHIBALD BAIN
Initials: AB
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Third Engineer Officer
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy, SS Tringa (Liverpool)
Age: 31
Date of Death: 11th May 1940
Additional Information: Son of James and Margaret McDonald Aitchison; husband of Jean Aitchison, of Girvan, Ayrshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 111
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

Source uboat.net: At 14.00 hours on 11 May 1940 the unescorted Tringa (Master Hugh Conway) was hit aft by one torpedo from U9and sank immediately one and a half miles from the West Hinder buoy at the mouth of the Scheldt. The master, 15 crew members and the Belgian pilot were lost. Six crew members were picked up by HMS Malcolm (Capt T.E. Halsey, RN) and landed at Ramsgate on 13 May.

Stone reads: Erected by James and Margaret Aitchison in loving memory of their daughter Margaret Catherine MacLean d at Corwar 11 Jun 1920 aged 17 and a half years. Also their son Ranald John MacDonald d 29 Jul 1936 aged 26y. Also the said James Aitchison d 20 Jan 1938 aged 67y. Also their son Archibald Bain drowned by enemy action 11 May 1940 aged 35y. The above Margaret Aitchison d at Glasgow 25 Apr 1942 aged 75 y.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: ANDREW, TOM

Wigtownshire Free Press (22 December 1921): Information has been received by Rev John Graham Andrew, UF Manse, Barrhill, of the death in action on the NW Frontier of his son, Superintendent Tom Andrew, Indian Police. From the bare summary of facts which have been telegraphed, it appears that the picket, of which Superintendent Andrew had charge, was very heavily attacked. He insisted on being the last to leave, and received fatal injuries before safety could be gained. The body was afterwards recovered. Col the Rev John Brownlie DD VD CF conducted a moving memorial service in the United Free Church, Barrhill, on Sunday.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: ANDREWS, WALTER
Initials: W
Nationality: Indian
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: 95th Russell's Infantry, attd. 120th Rajputana Infantry
Age: 35
Date of Death: 14 April 1915
Additional Information: Son of David Andrews (Solicitor) and Catherine R. Andrews, of Glen Alty, Barrhill, Ayrshire. Native of Girvan.
Grave Reference: III. E. 17
Cemetery: Basra War Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: BURTON, GILBERT
Initials: G
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry, 52nd Bn
Age: 31
Date of Death: 28 September 1918
Service Number: 256411
Additional Information: Son of Hamilton and Helen Burton, of Drumgrier, Pinwherry, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Grave Reference: B. 32
Cemetery: Crest Cemetery, Fontaine-Notre Dame

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: GIBSON, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry, 15th Bn
Date of Death: 24/4/1915
Service Number: 24485
Panel Reference: Panel 18 - 24 - 26 -30
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

The headstone has been propped up in a way to make it unreadable. A survey in 2001 identified it as follows: Sacred to the memory of Margaret McLean d 16 Oct 1889 aged 62. Also her husband Peter Gibson builder d 08 Oct 1890 aged 64. Their youngest son Peter d 25 Dec 1936 aged 71. His only son Robert Barlow lost at Ypres 24-29 Apr 1915 aged 20. Margaret Jane Kerr Wood beloved wife of above Peter Gibson d 24 Feb 1949 aged 79y cremated Western Necropolis Glasgow. And Isobel Gibson (Isa) 1893-1979. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil."

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: GORDON, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Date of Death: 8 May 1915
Service Number: 134
Panel Reference: Panel 10
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Note: Corporal Gordon's attestation papers indicate 8 years' previous service with the Cameron Highlanders.

Name: GORDON, GEORGE MCQUEEN
Initials: GM
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Guardsman
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards, 2nd Bn
Age: 31
Date of Death: 11th April 1943
Service Number: 2695770
Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon, of Girvan, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: VI. E. 16
Cemetery: Enfidaville War Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: LAW, GEORGE MCCULLOCH
Initials: GM
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st Bn
Age: 28
Date of Death: 12th June 1917
Service Number: 10502
Additional Information: Son of John and Mary Law, of Scaurhead, Barrhill, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: IV. H. 28
Cemetery: Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras

Inscription reads: In loving memory of John Law d at Scaurhead Barrhill 27 Nov 1935 aged 75y. Also his wife Mary McCulloch d at Scaurhead Barrhill 09 Jun 1946 aged 83y. Also their sone George McCulloch killed in action in France 12 Jun 1917 aged 27y. Archibald d at Crocham Hill Kent 11 Feb 1940 aged 41y.

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: MACDONALD, ROY CAMPBELL
Initials: RC
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment), 8th Bn attd. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Date of Death: 7 November 1943
Service Number: 156787
Additional Information: Son of Kenneth and Mary Macdonald; husband of Phyllis Margaret Macdonald, of Bilton, Yorkshire.
Grave Reference: II. D. 28
Cemetery: Sangro River War Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: MACGREGOR, KENNETH
Initials: K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders, 5th Bn
Age: 28
Date of Death: 28 July 1915
Service Number: 11368
Additional Information: Son of Hugh and Anne McKerrow MacGregor, of The Kennels, Kildonan, Barrhill, Ayrshire.
Grave Reference: IV. A. 3
Cemetery: Lillers Communal Cemetery

Mike Morley · Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 389 Location: Wigtown

Name: MCKIE, GILBERT
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders, 7th Bn
Awards: DCM
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24 March 1918
Service Number: S/17863
Additional Information: Son of John and Lizzie M. Macgregor McKie, of Main St., Barrhill, Ayrshire.
Panel Reference: Bay 9
Memorial: Arras Memorial