The Scottish War Graves Project

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

Lt Col David St Denys McCulloch RA

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

Lt. Col. Harry E. Macfarlane D.S.O, M.C.

My thanks to Margaret Wright who has researched Harry McFarlane as part of her painstaking work on Gatehouse of Fleet, its history and people. Salient points of Harry's military career are:

23/01/1906 Hart's List: Lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales ‘s Own Hussars (19th) Harry Erskine Macfarlane ......... placed on temporary half-pay on account of ill-health (Gazette).
World War I
24/08/1914: Embarkation - (ex Medal Roll for 06/04/1918).
22/06/1915: Capt. H.E. Macfarlane, Staff General Headquarters. Mentioned in Despatches.
04/01/1917: Capt. H.E. Macfarlane Mentioned in Despatches.
01/01/1918: Recommendation for Distinguished Service Order - Captain Harry Erskine Macfarlane MC , 19th Hussars.
4410 Supplement to London Gazette: His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the under mentioned - rewards for distinguished services in the Field in connection with Military Operations, culminating in the capture of Jerusalem. - Distinguished Service Order. (DSO)

11/04/1918: Awarded the Distinguished Service Order: Capt.Harry Erskine Macfarlane, M.C.
'He displayed initiative and foresight of a high order'.
24/10/1919 London Gazette: Major Harry Erskine Macfarlane DSO MC 19th Hussars.
Awarded Commander in Order of Redeemer by King of the Hellenes. (Oldest and highest order awarded by Greek State.)

Medal Index Card : A very full medal card traces the his rise through the ranks with the 19th Hussars, from Captain & Adjutant, Major, to Lt. Colonel. He also had a special appointment as Assistant Provost Marshal HQ 2nd Cavalry Division. He was awarded many medals often with a emblems. He is included on the Malabar Roll 1921-22. (A rebellion in India.) His address was given as Staff College, Camberley.

2nd World War: Officer in Gatehouse Company of Home Guard.

His funeral was reported in the Kircudbright Advertiser (16/9/1944)

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

Harry Allan McClellan MM

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

Peter Tait DCM

Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society Magazine (Nov. 2013) has an article written by Malcolm Tait from Vancouver, Canada, about Peter Tait D.C.M.
Peter's parents were John Tait and Ann Clark who had married at Murrayton, Girthon in 1890. Peter was born there in 1891.The family moved to Quarterland, Girthon and in about 1895 they moved to Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire. Peter's younger brother James was born at Dukieston, (Kells) just before the family moved to Knocksting, Dalry. The family lived at Knocksting until after WW1. Peter worked as a shepherd at Ballinnie Farm near Moniaive and James at the neighbouring farm of Knockaughley. (Both farms were part of the Craigdarroch Estate, Moniaive.)
Peter and James both enlisted with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in January 1915 and were sent to France in October 1915.
On November 14th 1916 Peter was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery.
In November 1916, while on leave, he visited his family at Knocksting. He returned to fight in France in January 1917. Two days later one of his hands was blown off. An unconfirmed report says it was caused by the delayed detonation of one of his own mortars. Peter was sent home, first to a hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, and later to his parents' home. Later his missing hand was replaced with a hook and he was known locally as 'The Pirate' or 'Captain Hook'.
On 13th June 1919 Peter married Jane Crosbie Telfer at the Glen Farm, Skyreburn and they set up home in the nearby Millmark Farm, Skyreburn. Peter and Jane lived there all their married lives.
Note: The Glen Farm is in Kirkmabreck parish, Millmark is in Anwoth Parish. (Source: http://www.gatehouse-folk.org.uk/ww1.asp?offset=335)

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

Lt Col John Alfred Wadsworth

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

Major Colin Rowsell, Coldstream Guards