The Scottish War Graves Project

Dan Hayward · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Reno, Nevada

I am new to the group, and interested in geneological research. My maternal grandmother was Eileen Donald, born in 1923 in Dumfries. She married a U.S. Serviceman during WWII and moved to Iowa in 1946 or '47. She shared some information about her uncle and her brothers who served in WWI and WWII before she passed away last year, but I would like to learn more:

John Donald (my great uncle), Aircraftman 2nd Class, RAF, died 9 August 1940 (I already found his headstone through this Project at St. Andrews in Dumfries - thanks)

Captain Leonard J. Donald (my great uncle), served in the KOSB, died 15 August 2002 (I've also located his headstone at St. Andrews in Dumfries through the Project)

Hugh Donald (my great uncle), served in the KOSB during WWII (I think). He survived the War. Any information would be appreciated.

Tim Donald (my grandmother's uncle, and my great great uncle), killed in action during WWI shortly before the ceasefire, possibly while serving with the KOSB. Again, any information would be appreciated.

Of course, if I have any long-lost cousins out there, please say hello! Thanks very much.
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Dan Hayward
Reno, Nevada USA

spoons · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

Welcome to the project.

John Donald is listed on the Dumfries war memorial which you can see at http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=543&mforum=warmemscot His entry on Scottish National War Memorial shows that he was in Bomber Command. He also attended St Joseph's College and he is listed on their memorial at http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1083&mforum=warmemscot

I cannot find a Tim Donald who died in WW1 and he is certainly not listed on any memorial in Dumfries and Galloway.

I don't have any sources for soldiers who survived the war I'm afraid.

Regards

Paul

Dan Hayward · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Reno, Nevada

Thank you, Paul, for the information. I really appreciate it. I wouldn't never found this material without being pointed to it by someone "in the know."

Come to think of it, although my grandmother was born and raised in Dumfries, her father (and presumably her uncle, Tim Donald) was born in Ayr. I'll try poking around that area for information about him.

Thanks again!
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Dan Hayward
Reno, Nevada USA

spoons · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

Tim Donald does not seem to be listed at http://www.cwgc.org/ which lists all commonwealth servicemen with war grave status nor on http://www.snwm.org/ which lists all those Scots who died in war (especially serving in Scottish regiments). My conclusion is therefore that either he did not die in war or possibly Tim (or Timothy) was not his given first name.

\Paul

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

Hi Dan
Some info. which might be useful - your relatives, Hugh born 1918, John born 1921, Eileen born 1924 and Leonard born 1925.
Their births were registered in the TROQUEER District of KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE.
This is from Scottish Birth records at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Unfortunately these records are still closed so I cannot get parental details.
If you have their father's name it could be worthwhile looking for him and TIM in the Ayrshire census records although I suspect, like Paul suggested, that Tim is not his given name - I cannot find him in the birth records.
Good luck with your search.

Ken

Dan Hayward · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Reno, Nevada

Thanks Ken and Paul. In looking back through my notes of my conversations with my grandmother, I've realized that I made a rather glaring mistake --- "Tim" was her mother's brother, not her father's brother. His last name should be "Lilly." I'll run some searches using that name. There can't be too many Lillys around --- sounds like an unusual name.

I do know quite a bit about my "direct" ancestors -- its these aunts, uncles and cousins that are a mystery. My grandmother Eileen's father was William McCrae Donald, born in about 1895 in Ayr. He had moved to Dumfries sometime before 1921 when his son John was born. His father was Hugh Donald (b. 1857, Ayr), his grandfather was also Hugh Donald (b. 1826/27, Tarbolton Parish, Ayrshire), and his great grandfather was James Donald (b. 1788, Mauchline, Ayrshire). Eileen's mother was Jessie Storrie Lilly (b. 1896, Maxwelltown). The older information comes from parish records I've been able to research online through Ancestry.com.

I never tire of trying to unravel these sorts of things. Thanks again gentlemen!
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Dan Hayward
Reno, Nevada USA

Dan Hayward · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Reno, Nevada

Success at last ... via the Scottish National War Memorial records.

Pte. Timothy Lilly, Highland Light Infantry, 18th Battalion, died August 19, 1917 in France / Flanders.

Now I just need to find a photo of his headstone, if possible. Thanks again.
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Dan Hayward
Reno, Nevada USA

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

Timothy is listed on the Maxwelltown memorial here http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=38&mforum=warmemscot where he is shown as a drummer.

I haven't found him on any church or school memorial in the area.

I travel around the areas you mention quite frequently (I used to live in Troqueer) so if you want any local photos of old buildings or areas for background, just let me know.

\Paul