The Scottish War Graves Project

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

I have been researching the Scottish side of my family roots, sparked by a photograph I found of my Dad's shortly before he died. It was of a young soldier in a kilted uniform with Uncle Tommy written on the back, all I found out from Dad was that he was killed in WW1.

When my Mum moved house I found the picture again and decided to see what I could find out and this led me to finding a memorial at the beginning of March this year, erected by my Great Grandfather in memory of his four sons who had pre-deceased him.

When I've figured out how to add the images I shall post them up.

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

Just realised I need to wait until I can post the pictures Confused

DerekR · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 809 Location: Hawick

Looking forward to the pics.
_________________
There must be a place under the sun where hearts of Olden Glory grow young .....

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

It might be an idea if I check something else out first, the memorial is at Sighthill Cemetery, I was going to post the information in that thread rather than in a separate thread like what I have started here, best to sort it first to save the administrators a job to do! Smile

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

The CWGC entry reads:
In Memory of
Private THOMAS FORBES SIM

331434, 9th (Glasgow Hdrs.) Bn., Highland Light Infantry
who died age 20
on 15 July 1916
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sim, of 27, Laverockhall St., Springburn, Glasgow.

Remembered with honour
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Pier 15 face C

This ia a family memorial at Sighthill Cemetery, Springburn, unfortunately the casket-shaped top of the memorial has been dislodged and can be seen in the background.

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

This is the top that I have taken home with me, maybe a cross was attached to the very top?

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

View from the Keppochhill Road gate

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

This the entry on the database at the Thiepval Museum:
THOMAS FORBES SIM15C
Private, 331434 (4173), 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
Died 15th July 1916, aged 20
Born on 6th January 1896 at 366 Springburn Road, Glasgow.
Son of Robert and Elizabeth Sim (nee Ferguson), of 27 Laverockhall Street, Springburn, Glasgow. Robert was a cabinetmaker/journeyman. They had at least seven children:
· James Sim (b. 1883)
· John Sim (b. 1885)
· Isabella Sim (b. 1886)
· Robert Sim (b. 1889)
· Adam Sim (b. 1891)
· David Sim (b. 1893)
· Thomas Forbes Sim (b. 1896)
His brother David Sim died on 12th July 1915 in an accident at the Frederick Braby Ltd steelworks.
Enlisted at Glasgow in early 1915 and was killed at High Wood.Also commemorated on a family memorial in Sighthill Cemetery in Glasgow. The memorial was erected by Robert to commemorate his four sons who pre-deceased him.

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

I was actually looking for Roberts grave, if you don't know Sighthill it is 46 acres and I had no clue where to look or what I was looking for so it was quite remarkable to find such a significant memorial. Robert clearly wanted the memory of his sons to last. If anyone has any suggestions as to how much it would have cost or whether the shape has any significance or what may have been on the very top I would be grateful. The design seems to have been made to have more names added but none have been since Robert died.

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

Hi rjs,

I have no idea what these types of stones would cost these days but let's say a small fortune!

As for it's shape/style - it's not really that unusual so I don't think there's any significance in that. I had a look through some of my photos and I found quite a lot of stones which are very similar. Most of them have lost their tops too, some are lying around but others are nowhere to be seen. I think on the very top, there would have been another wee spherical bit, just for decorative purposes. It's other use would be to top the metal pole holding all the parts together.

Anne

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

A ball would make more sense than a cross, thanks for that Anne. I'm in Glasgow tomorrow and will call at a stone masons if I have time.

rjs · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Lazonby, Cumbria

Anne,

You were right - there are several other similar pillars at Sighthill when I looked around, although some seemed not to have had a top and others were missing.

On closer examination I think there would have been another stone beside this one, when I cleared the grass away there is a base right next to it.