The Scottish War Graves Project

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

Leswalt Cemetery is in the centre of Leswalt village directly opposite the old Churchyard. It has been in use since 1916 and contains the war memorial. Grid Reference: NX 013 619. It contains one Commonwealth War Grave.

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

Name: ROBERTSON, NOEL JAMES
Initials: NJ
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 7th Bn
Age: 21
Date of Death: 19th June 1940
Service Number: 3192164
Additional Information: Son of Jessie Robertson, and stepson of James Hendry, of Ervie.
Grave Reference: Sec E Grave 169
Cemetery: Leswalt Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (27 June 1940): KIRKCOLM SOLDIER'S TRAGIC DEATH: ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY SENTRY. Private Noel James Robertson, a native of the Rhins, has been killed in Essex under tragic circumstances.

It appears that as Private Robert McKie was on sentry guard duty near Colchester, Pte Robertson, who was his friend, approached and told him that his rifle was cocked. McKie placed forward the safety catch and pressed the trigger to put the hammer down. There was a shot, and Robertson fell with a bullet through the head. This was stated at the inquest.

The Coroner, recording a verdict of accidental death, said that the matter would be subject to military inquiry, and it would be for them to consider the instructions which should be given to young soldiers and the use of their arms on sentry or other duties.

Pte Robertson, who had been serving with the Forces for about eight months, was in his twenty-first year. For a time he was with his father at Salchrie engaged in the dairy, and later he was employed at High Auchneil as a ploughman. He was well known in the district and was a popular footballer playing in the Kirkcolm and Stranraer Summer Leagues.

There was a large attendance at the funeral which took place from Sheuchan Parish Church to Leswalt, on Sunday. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and a military escort was provided.

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

Name: JENKINS, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, "D" Bty. 50th Bde
Age: 20
Date of Death: 11th October 1918
Service Number: 250547
Additional Information: Son of William and Isabella Jenkins, of Cairnbrock, Leswalt, Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 4 to 6 and 162
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (31 October 1918: Killed in action in France, Gnr J Jenkins, only beloved son of William and Bella Jenkins, Cairnbrock, aged 20 years and 10 months.

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

Name: PATON, HENRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards, 1st Bn
Date of Death: 4th March 1917
Service Number: 13537
Grave Reference: II. C. 6
Cemetery: Guards' Cemetery, Combles

Wigtownshire Free Press (25 February 1915) reported the enlistment of Henry Paton, Threemark, to the Scots Guards. On 30 December 1915 it reported: We have the pleasure of reproducing the above photographs of four sons of Mrs Paton, Threemark, Stoneykirk, who are serving their King and country in the Army. William is a piper in the Seaforth Highlanders, and has been seven years in the army. He went from India to France on the outbreak of war, and has been wounded on two occasions. The other three enlisted since the outbreak of war. Henry is in the Scots Guards, and is at present "somewhere in France". John and James are in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and were drafted to the Dardanelles. Their father, we understand, was a soldier for 21 years.

Wigtownshire Free Press (22 March 1917): Mrs Paton, High Three Mark, Stoneykirk, has been informed that her son, Private Henry Paton, Scots Guards, was killed in action on 4th inst. Before joining the Army on 15 Feby 1915, Pte Paton, who was 21 years of age, was in the employment of Mr McDowall, High Three Mark.

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

Name: REID, PETER
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, "D" Bty 74th Bde
Age: 21
Date of Death: 18th September 1918
Additional Information: Son of Ivie and Colina Reid, of Challoch, Leswalt, Stranraer, Wigtownshire. Native of Glasserton, Whithorn, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: I. B. 2
Cemetery: Lagnicourt Hedge Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (10 October 1918): Mr and Mrs Reid, Challoch, Leswalt, have received official intimation that their son, Gunner Peter Reid, was killed in action in France on September 18th. He was the second son to join the colours, and had two years' service. The elder son, A McLaren Reid, volunteered shortly after the outbreak of war and is now a Second Lieutenant attached to the Royal [sic] North Lancs. He has twice been wounded. A daughter is on ammunition work. Gunner Reid was 21 years of age.