The Scottish War Graves Project

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

The churchyard contains the ruins of the old 16th/17th Century church on the western outskirts of the village (Grid Reference NX 015638). Most of the stones date from the 19th Century. The new cemetery, containing the village war memorial, is dirctly opposite, across the road.

There is one Commonwealth War Grave.

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

Name: WITHER, J
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fitter
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery, Clearing Office formerly 1st/1st Highland Heavy Bty
Age: 27
Date of Death: 9th April 1919
Service Number: 107438
Grave Location: East of Church
Cemetery: Leswalt Old Church

Does not appear on SNWM roll as far as I can see.

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

Name: NEIL, ANDREW MCWILLIAM
Initials: AM
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Glasgow Yeomanry (Queen's Own Royal)
Age: 19
Date of Death: 17th November 1915
Service Number: 2425
Additional Information: Son of Andrew and Clementina Neil, of 7, Bogton Avenue, Muirend, Cathcart, Glasgow. Of Stranraer.
Grave Reference: III. B. 14
Cemetery: Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles.

Wigtownshire Free Press (9 December 1915) reported: Killed in action on 17th ult (on service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force), Private Andrew Neil, 2nd QR Glasgow Yeomanry, only son of Mr & Mrs Neil, Drummockloch, Cairnryan, aged 19 years.

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

Name: RICHARDSON, JAMES BRYDSON
Initials: JB
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders, 6th Bn
Age: 20
Date of Death: 29th September 1917
Service Number: S/26768
Additional Information: Son of John and Jane Richardson, of High Barbeth, Leswalt, Stranraer.
Grave Reference: V. B. 41
Cemetery: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun

Wigtownshire Free Press (18th October 1917) reported: Mr and Mrs Richardson, High Barbeth, Leswalt, were informed by telegram that their third son, Private James Richardson, Cameron Highlanders, had been dangerously wounded in action on September 29thh, and a later wire was received that he died from these wounds. He was drafted out to France in December last, but was invalided home in the spring, and only returned on July 31. He has just attained his 20th birthday. Mr and Mrs Richardson’s other two sons are in the fighting line in France, and one has gained a DCM.

Name: RICHARDSON, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders, 6th Bn
Awards: DCM
Age: 28
Date of Death: 23rd March 1918
Service Number: 266937
Additional Information: Son of John and Jane Richardson, of Weirston, Kirkcolm, Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Bay 8 and 9
Memorial: Arras Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (18th January 1917) carried a photo of Robert Richardson and reported: Lance-Corporal Robert Richardson, Gordon Highlanders, eldest son of Mr Richardson, High Barbeth, has been awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry in action. Lance-Corporal Richardson enlisted at the outbreak of war from Fifeshire, where he was employed as an under-keeper at Wemyss Castle. Previous to going to Fifeshire, he was a keeper at Dunskey, Portpatrick. The official notice of the award says: - “Lance-Corporal Richardson displayed great courage and determination during a bombing attack against the enemy, and materially assisted in the operation.” Lance-Corporal Richardson was wounded at Loos on 25th September 1915, and was four months in hospital at Cardiff, suffering from frostbite.”

Wigtownshire Free Press Death Notices (18 April 1918): Killed in action on 23rd March, Corporal Robert Tennyson Tarbet Richardson, DCM, Gordon Highlanders, dearly loved son of John and Jane Richardson, High Barbeth, Leswalt

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

Name: TORRANCE, ALEXANDER BEGGS
Initials: AB
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: London Regiment (London Scottish), 1st/14th Bn
Awards: MM
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1st July 1916
Service Number: 3691
Additional Information: Son of J. Torrance, of The Calcutta Inn, Whithorn, Wigtownshire, and the late Alexander Beggs Torrance.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 9C and 13C
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press Death Notices (17 August 1916): Killed in action on 1st July 1916, Sergeant Alexander Beggs Torrance, London Scottish, eldest son of the late Alexander Beggs Torrance, Calcutta, Whithorn, aged 26 years.

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

Col Quentin Agnew MNO DSO
Royal Scots Fusiliers

The Galloway Gazette carried the following obituary. Colonel Quentin Agnew, MNO, DSO, died on Wednesday night at his residence, Millhill, Inchture, Perthshire. Colonel Agnew, who was 76 years of age, was a son of the late Sir Andrew Agnew and Lady Louisa Agnew of Lochnaw. In 1886 he received a commission in the Royal Scots Fusiliers for service on the Indian Frontier and Burma. He also served in the Tirah Campaign and the South African War. During the Great War Colonel Agnew commanded the 3rd Royal Scots Fusiliers, and was on special service at Gallipoli and the Mediterranean during the early part of hostilities. Later he was Area Commandant and in command of a Labour Group in France. He was decorated with a DSO for his services in South Africa and the following year was made a member of the Royal Victorian Order. Colonel Agnew was until recently a member of the Royal Bodyguard of Gentlemen-at-Arms, and was heir-presumptive to his nephew, Sir Fulke Agnew of Lochnaw Castle.

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

Lieut Col Sir Andrew Agnew

Courtesy of Wikipedia: Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw (5th Baronet) commanded his men "Dinna fire till ye can see the whites of their e'en," from which the saying "Don't fire until you can see the whites of their eyes" is taken. At Dettingen, Bavaria, on 27 June 1743, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Andrew gave to the men of his regiment, the 21st of Foot of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, an order from which this saying is derived. A man of spirit even for the times, he had earlier in the day replied to a brigade order that "the scoundrels will never have the impudence to attack the Scots Fusiliers", but they did. Formed in square, the Scots Fusiliers held a steady fire rolling along their lines and kept off the advancing French infantry. Sir Andrew, a resourceful and experienced officer, had in training practiced a novel battle drill with the men in his square, should they be attacked by cavalry. At last, the opportunity to spring this trap appeared when the square was attacked by enemy cuirassiers. Instead of employing the orthodox tactic of seeing them off by standing firm and taking the charge on muskets and pikes, Sir Andrew gave orders that, as the cavalry approached the front line, the two centre companies should divide from the centre and fall back from the outer markers. This novel approach allowed the cavalry to charge through a lane with the Fusiliers facing inwards. At this point Sir Andrew gave the command: "Dinna fire till ye can see the whites of their e' en . . . if ye dinna kill them they'll kill you." The French, as they rode through this lane of soldiers, were subjected to a withering crossfire and destroyed. Later in the day King George II, who commanded the Army but was a little out of his depth, rode up and said: "So, Sir Andrew, I hear the cuirassiers rode through your regiment today." "Ou, ay, yer Majestee," was the reply "but they dinna get oot again."

The inscription can be found in the Agnew burial area and can be found beneath the ivy and behind a red granite cross of later vintage.

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

Robert McEwen, RN, Chief Engineer HMS Curacoa

HMS Curacoa was a 31-gun Tribune-class screw frigate launched on 13 April 1854 from Pembroke Dockyard. She served in the Mediterranean Station between 1854 until 1857 and was in the Black Sea during the Crimean War. She was part of the Channel Squadron between 1857 until 1859. She then was sent to the North America and West Indies Station and served between 1859 until 1862.

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

Clement Archibald Shillan
RNVR

Served on HMS Arab, HMS Wellington and HMS Willowherb during World War Two. Mentioned in despatches 3 December 1940; see http://hulltrawler.net/Sidewinder/Vessel%20-%20A/ARAB%20H293.htm.