The Scottish War Graves Project

gourdongirl · Last edited by gourdongirl on Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Oldhamstocks or Aldhamstocks ("old dwelling place") is a civil parish and small village in the east of East Lothian, Scotland, overlooking the North Sea. It has a population of about 50. Its parish church was consecrated in 1292.
Oldhamstocks is the birthplace of John Broadwood (1732–1812), piano maker and founder of Broadwood and Sons.

Grid reference NT742705.

There is one WWI CWGC stone in the churchyard, with several other WWI and some other military related stones. The Oldhamstock War Memorial stands at the entrance to the churchyard.

Arial view of Oldhamstocks (Thanks to Simon Smith for the photo).You can see the church and churchyard near the bottom left of the photo.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: Views of the churchyard

Oldhamstocks Church and War Memorial

Views of Oldhamstocks church

gourdongirl

LITSTER, RICHARD
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit Text: "A" Depot
Age: 19
Date of Death: 19/12/1916
Service No: 67936
Additional information: Son of George and Isabella Litster, of Bilsdean, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 20.
Cemetery: OLDHAMSTOCKS PARISH CHURCHYARD

MI:
Sacred to the memory of our dear sons George Lister died 8th Sept 1916 age 29 also Richard S Lister died at Bilsdean 19th Dec 1916 age 19 also James died 15th Jan 1923 aged 40

He is commemorated on the Oldhamstocks War Memorial.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:57 pm Post subject: Other WWI graves

COLTHERD, JOSEPH
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/5751
Additional information: Son of the late John and Janet Coltherd, of Aikengall, Oldhamstocks, Berwickshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 112 to 115.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

MI:
In affectionate remembrance of James Coltherd beloved husband of Ann Robertson who died 12th September 1895 aged 29, John Coltherd father of the above James who died at Aikengall 1st May 1910 aged 73, Janet Stewart his mother died 22nd April 1916 aged 73, Janet Stewart his daughter died 5th April 1916 aged 23, Joseph his brother who fell at Loos 25th September 1915 aged 23, also two of his sons who died in infancy.

Commemorated on the Oldhamstocks War Memorial.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject:

GRAINGER, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Age: 39
Date of Death: 11/04/1918
Service No: 45841
Additional information: Son of Adam Grainger and Elizabeth Bishop Grainger.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 11 to 14 and 162.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

MI:
In memory of Elizabeth Bishop wife of Adam Grainger Schoolmaster Oldhamstocks who died 25th April 1913 Adam Grainger who died 23rd September 1925. Robert their son who fell in France 11th April 1918, Annie Sanderson their daughter who died 22nd October 1930, Thomas Grainger died 4th November 1953, Alice Grainger died 8th April 1958.

Commemorated on Oldhamstocks War Memorial

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject:

MI:
In loving memory of Agnes Neilson widow of Thomas Dryden who died at Closehead Oldhamstocks 14th August 1895, her grand-daughter Elizabeth Harriet Scrambler who died in infancy, James Scrambler died 18th May 1923 also his son William Scrambler killed at sea 20th October 1917 aged 30

I can find no record on CWGC or SNWM. I assume (rightly or wrongly) that William died due to enemy action since the grave stone states he was killed at sea.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

BATHGATE
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 12/04/1918
Service No: 325542
Additional information: Son of Adam and Marion Bathgate, of Fernilia, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. D. 3.
Cemetery: NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY

MI:
In memory of my husband Adam Bathgate who died 11th April 1929 aged 61 also Marion Hall beloved wife of the above who died 20th November 1945, interred at Piershill Edinburgh, also of James Bathgate eldest son of the above who died 11th April 1918 result of wounds.

Commemorated on Oldhamstocks War Memorial

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

SKELDON, ADAM T.
Initials: A T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 20/09/1917
Service No: 235338
Additional information: Son of the late David and Isabella Skeldon, of Oldhamstocks, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire; husband of Helen Skeldon, of East Pinkerton, Dunbar, East Lothian.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 132 to 135 and 162A.

MI:
Erected in memory of Adam Skeldon who died 9th March 1879 aged 68 also his wife Ann Black who died 22nd May 1886 aged 74 also David Skeldon who died 9th January 1921 aged 72 and of Margaret Skeldon who died 26th January 1921 aged 79
(back of stone)
also Isabella MacKenzie wife of David Skeldon died 3rd April 1887 aged 37 also their son Pte Adam Tulloch Skeldon who fell in action in France 3rd October 1917 aged 34.

Commemorated on the Oldhamstocks War Memorial.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject:

Photos of the church and the churchyard

The church and churchyard became Grade A listed on 5th Feb 1971.

Description of church and churhyard.

16th century aisle adjoined to church built in 1701, built on part foundations of circa 14th century church. Medieval aisle in coursed red sandstone rectangular blocks; main church harled and with ashlar margins.

HEPBURN AISLE: gabled aisle at East end, with low, broad doorway
to South in blocked roll-moulded surround; boarded door with iron
fittings. Hoodmoulded, reticulated traceried, 3-light pointed arch window on East gable, flanked by heraldic panels, that to the South, initialled TH and MS and dated 1581, both brought from the remains of Blackcastle in mid to later 19th century. Moulded cornice and ashlar coped skews; onion finials on skewputts, thistle finial at apex. Stone slab roof.

CHURCH:
SOUTH ELEVATION: 4-bay. 2 pointed arch windows, with intersecting
glazing pattern, at centre, with tall lancets to outer bays. Piend-roofed later 19th century porch added between left windows. Former doorway with ashlar surround between right windows, blocked. Sundial, possibly 16th century, ashlar, in sloping form with stone gnomon, set at West end of South elevation.
NORTH ELEVATION: central gabled jamb projects to North; tall, pedimented doorway on East return with panelled door, fan
square, 4-pane fanlight and armorial in the pediment, and
tall lancet flanking to left. 2 tall lancets on West return. Blank nave walls flanking.
WEST GABLE: incorporating at centre advanced, tower with set-offs, doorway in raised surround at base and narrow slit in upper stage. Later 18th century ashlar birdcage bellcote spirelet and weathervane, set on moulded cornice of tower. Horizontal-pane glazing pattern to lancet windows. Ashlar coped skews; cross finial to main East gable. Grey slates.
INTERIOR: restored in 1907 and in 1925-7 (when it was re-oriented to East and chancel arch added). Plaster unfortunately removed in nave, boarding to dado level. Coombed timber ceiling, pointed stone barrel vault to chancel (Hepburn Aisle). Doorway at West tower end, blocked. Segmental heads to embrasures and segmental arch into North jamb, with round piers attached to ingoes. Ashlar surround chamfered arrises, to segmental chancel arch. Stained glass in chancel lights. Commemorative panel to restoration by Richard Hunter in memory of Sir James Miller of Manderston. Lorimeresque furnishings, circa 1930.

WALLS AND GRAVESTONES: Rubble coped rubble graveyard walls
with simple wrought-iron gates. Selection of fine 17th and 18th century gravestones, much-weathered, including 2 to Broadwood family (piano makers of London).

WATCH HOUSE: 1824. Small, single chamber watch house, set in South boundary wall. Droved ashlar with raised base course and eaves course. Doorway at the East end. Pedimented gables to East and West, with weathered plaque in Eeast pediment. Pointed arch window to North at centre with intersecting glazing pattern. Ashlar coped skews and grey slates; stack by West gable. Simple chimneypiece inside at West end.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:53 pm Post subject: Other military graves

MI:(Table stone)
To the memory of the Revd John Cochran who was ordained Minister of this Parish March 22nd 1787 and died very much regretted May 22nd 1796 aged 46. Erected by his widow Mrs Catherine Miller who died March 5th 1829 aged 69 also Thomas Cochran their second and youngest son Volunteer of the 1st Class onboard ILNI ship Northumberland died of Gibralter 18th November 1808 aged 16 years. also Alexander their elder son who died in Grand Canary on the 24th April 1852 in the 63rd year of his age.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject:

MI:
Erected to the memory of George Dods late tenant in Cocklaw who died May 22nd 1804 in the 60th year of his life, also Janet Purves his wife who died April 23rd 1841 aged 87, David their son died september 11th 1799 in the 17th year of his age. Thomas their son, Surgeon of His magesty's ship Caroline died at Madras June 16th 1811 in the 31st year of his age. Elisabeth their daughter, wife of John MacGregor Esq Solicitor before the Supreme Courts died November 14th 1829 aged 38. James their son, Esq of Barnside died May 15th 1836 aged 47 also George their son Esq of Barnside died at Brunt 4th August 1864 aged 79. Hugh MacGregor, seedsman Reston died 18th August 1883 aged 66.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject:

MI:
Henry Teofil Kosinski died 12th September 1957
Major Polish Cavalry, Farmer aged 65. "RIP"

gourdongirl · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject:

Some photos of the churchyard