The Scottish War Graves Project

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

sorry folks - I posted the name James Hyslop instead of James Blyth Pte. KOSB 27 April 1920
I have now found 2 medal cards at National Archives, the first for James D Blyth and the second for William James Blyth both KOSB
Ken

DerekR · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 809 Location: Hawick

What are the service numbers given on the Mics?
These might help narrow down which battalions.
_________________
There must be a place under the sun where hearts of Olden Glory grow young .....

spoons · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

if someone is listed on a memorial but not on CWGC then one frequent cause is that he was discharged and subsequently died of a non war related condition. The service record of James Gardner Blyth KOSB (24366) (estimated birth year 1888) from Glasgow shows that he was discharged in 1916 as 'not being likely to become an efficient soldier'. He received no medals so you won't find an MIC for him. His pension record is on Ancestry but adds nothing much further.

Now I cannot say this is your man because I cannot tie him to the area, but the name and regiment fit and the scenario fits so my suggestion would be to try and get the death certificate for 'your' man. You might also be able to find his grave with a bit of luck and then see if you can tie him via date/place of birth to 'my' man.

Of course, he could have served under an alias and that leads to a whole new range of problems.

no solution, but perhaps some clues.

\Paul

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

The services numbers are:

James D Blyth KOSB 32994
Willliam James Blyth KOSB 14645 - MGC 148064
Ken

DerekR · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 809 Location: Hawick

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

Was this man a non-comm or was his death not related to war service?

Thanks

Adam

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

Wow! that's a blast from the past and I'm not sure what it was doing here on SWGP Confused

I do know quite a lot about this man but the circumstances of his death are still a bit of a mystery. However this is what I know.

BLYTH, JAMES Pte. K.O.S.B. 27 April 1920 [War Memorial Inscription]

James Blyth – age 21 - Private: King’s Own Scottish Borderers. [still no service number]
Of Barnbarroch, Colvend. Enlisted August 1917 KOSB. Transferred to Royal Scots. Died in Richmond Military Hospital, Dublin.
(Source: Stewartry Roll of Honour)
Born 1899 at Castle Douglas, Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire. (Source: GRoS – Birth Register)
Son of Robert and Anne (Peacock) Blyth of Burn St. Dalbeattie. (Source: GRoS – 1911 census)
His death certificate states that James Blythe, an ex-soldier of The Cottage, Barnbarroch, Dalbeattie, died of TB and Cardiac Failure at the Richmond Hospital, Dublin. [Barnbarroch hamlet is within Colvend Parish]
Died – 27 April 1920

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

Yes, a blast from the past! I was going through some old queries and requests looking for non-comms over here.

Being in a military hospital and in Dublin suggests further investigation but from what the DC says it is unlikely to a succesful link to war service to be commemorated by CWGC

Thanks

Adam

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747