The Scottish War Graves Project

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

Name: CRON, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Able Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Hawke Bn R.N Division
Age: 18
Date of Death: 25th August 1918
Service Number: Clyde Z4942
Additional information: Son of Peter and Agnes Cron, of Newton Cottage, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 1 and 2
Memorial: Vis-En-Artois Memorial

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

Name: GARRETT, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry, 10th Bn
Age: 19
Date of Death: 25th September 1915
Service Number: 1795
Additional information: Son of William and A. W. Garrett, of Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 108 to 112
Memorial: Loos Memorial

Wigtownshire Free Press (21 September 1916) reported: Mr and Mrs Garrett, North Balfern, Kirkinner, have received official intimation that their son, Lance Corporal Wm Garrett, HLI, was killed on September 25th 1915, in France. Before enlistment he was employed by Mr Sproat, North Balfern, and was much respected by all who knew him, as he was of a kindly and cheery nature. Lance Corporal Garrett was only 21 years of age when he met his death in action.

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

Name: HARRISON, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Army Service Corps, 695th Mechanical Transport Coy
Age: 24
Date of Death: 11th August 1916
Service Number: M2/175030
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrison, of Station View, Whauphill, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: V. J. 10
Cemetery: Basra War Cemetery

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

Name: HOPKINS, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry, 18th Bn
Date of Death: 29th March 1918
Service Number: 1798
Grave Reference: VI. I. 35
Cemetery: Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension

Wigtownshire Free Press (25 April 1918) reported: Killed in action on 29th March, Lance-Corpl John Hopkins, HLI, youngest and dearly beloved son of Mr and Mrs Hopkins, Kirkinner, aged 24 years.

Name: REID, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry, 15th Bn
Date of Death: 19th April 1917
Service Number: 192584
Grave Reference: II. B. 19
Cemetery: Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension

Wigtownshire Free Press (3 May 1917) reported: Died of wounds on the 19th ult at 42nd Casualty Clearing Station, Private Alexander Reid, Canadian Contingent, beloved husband of Christina Hopkins, Kirkinner, aged 25 years.

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

Name: LAVERIE, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 5th Bn
Age: 22
Date of Death: 28th December 1944
Service Number: 3197642
Grave Reference: IV. 149
Cemetery: Brunssum War Cemetery

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

Name: LAWSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders, 8th Bn
Date of Death: 22nd August 1917
Service Number: 202368
Panel Reference: Panel 132 to 135 and 162A
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial

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

Name: LEABODY, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, 99th Bde Ammunition Col.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1st July 1917
Service Number: 725784
Additional information: Son of George and Helen Leabody, of Claycrop, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: 39
Cemetery: Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria

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

Name: MCGOWAN, WILLIAM ANTHONY
Initials: WA
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Third Mate
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine, SS Kalibia (Glasgow)
Age: 22
Date of Death: 30th November 1917
Additional information: Son of William McGowan. Born at Newton Stewart.
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

On November 30th 1917, SS Kalibia, on a voyage from Norfolk to Bordeaux with a cargo of steel billets, was sunk by German submarine U-80, 29 miles southwest of The Lizard. 25 persons were lost.

Name: MCGOWAN, CHARLES KAVANAGH
Initials: CK
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Master
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy, SS St Sunniva (Aberdeen)
Age: 40
Awards: DSC
Date of Death: 22nd January 1943
Additional information: Husband of Isabella McGowan, of Bishopton, Renfrewshire.
Panel Reference: Panel 90
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

Requisitioned by the Admiralty on Tuesday 29 August 1939, the St Sunniva took part in the Norwegian Campaign and took up duties at Scapa Flow as a guardship from October 1939 until September 1942, with occasional trips to Aberdeen. In Sept 1942 the vessel was converted at Hull to a convoy rescue ship, departing from the Clyde on 2 Jan. 1943. Between 21st and 22nd January 1943 she disappeared without trace whilst serving as rescue ship with transatlantic convoy (it is presumed that her masts and rigging became encrusted with ice and she turned turtle). She was lost with all hands.

My thanks to Ken Morrison who has provided some more background information. Charles McGowan is listed on the Douglas Ewart School WW2 memorial and his DSC award was reported in the London Gazette:

London Gazette Date:23 October 1942 Issue number:35761 Page number:4653
ADMIRALTY.
Whitehall.
27th October, 1942.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Distinguished Service Order, and to approve
the following Awards:
For fortitude, seamanship and endurance in taking Merchantmen to North Russia through heavy seas and in the face of relentless attacks by enemy aircraft and submarines:
The Distinguished Service Cross.
Captain Charles Kavanagh McGowan, Master.

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

Name: MARSHALL, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry, 8th Bn
Date of Death: 26th September 1916
Service Number: A/38081
Grave Reference: XII. B. 18
Cemetery: Courcelette British Cemetery

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

Name: MORRISON, MATTHEW
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 355 Sqdn
Age: 39
Date of Death: 19th March 1945
Service Number: 164290
Additional information: Son of William Morrison, and of Mary Morrison (nee Craik).
Panel Reference: Column 448
Memorial: Singapore Memorial

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

Name: MILLIGAN, JOHN GEORGE
Initials: JG
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 10th Bn
Age: 26
Date of Death: 11th June 1918
Service Number: 22926
Additional Information: Son of George and Grace Milligan, of Claunch, Sorbie, Wigtownshire. Born at Culbae, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: E3
Cemetery: St Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent

The headstone is virtually unreadable but a survey 35 years ago was able to identify: In loving memory of George Milligan who died at Penkiln, Garlieston, on 4th December 1944 aged 74 years. And of Grace his wife who died at Kirkham, Lancs, on 8th October 1938 aged 70 years. Also their son George died of wounds in France 11th June 1918 aged 26 years. And their daughter Margaret (Peggy) who died in Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow on 15th October 1930 aged 24 years.

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

Name: THOMSON, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 1st/5th Bn
Date of Death: 24th May 1917
Service Number: 201661
Grave Reference: A. 210
Cemetery: Deir El Belah War Cemetery

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

Name: SHILLAN, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Lanarkshire Yeomanry
Age: 22
Date of Death: 13th November 1915
Service Number: 1129
Additional information: Son of Robert and Elizabeth Shillan, of South Balfern, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.
Grave Reference: III. C. 83
Cemetery: East Mudros Military Cemetery

Wigtownshire Free Press (2 December 1915) reported: Mr and Mrs Shillan, Stewarton, Kirkinner, have received intimation that their son, Pte John Shillan, Lanarkshire Yeomanry, has died at No 15 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, from dysentery. Prior to enlistment he was engaged as a farm servant at Waterside Farm, Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire. He enlisted early in June, went through training at Aldershot, and went out to the front with his regiment in September. He was 23 years of age.

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

Name: STRAITON, ROBERT WILLIAM
Initials: RW
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Age: 24
Date of Death: 23rd May 1917
Service Number: 30273
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Grace Straiton, of Kirkinner, Wigtownshire. Native of Garlieston.
Grave Reference: P. I. G. 13A
Cemetery: St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen

Wigtownshire Free Press (7 June 1917) reported: Mr and Mrs Straiton, Pier Cottage, Garlieston, have been officially informed that their son, Private Robert W Straiton, Scottish Rifles, died in hospital on 23rd May from wounds received on 8th May. Pte Straiton joined the Military Training Association in Edinburgh at the outbreak of war, and was at that time engaged in the office of Dundas and Wilson, estate agents, Edinburgh. Prior to that he was in the office of Mr McWilliam, law agent, Wigtown.

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

There's an interesting mix of useful and confusing information here for Robert William Straiton.
CWGC has "native of Garlieston" and he is named on the Sorbie Parish War Memorial in Garlieston. SNWM has born Garlieston, however SDGW has born Parton, Kirkcudbrightshire.
He was in fact born at Laurieston Hall in Balmaghie Parish Kirkcudbrightshire (the other side of Loch Ken from Parton) and "Balmaghie" was the name of the house in Kirkinner where his parents Thomas and Grace died in the 1940's. Previously they lived in Pier Cottage, Garlieston.