Darvel's War Memorial
Introduction
These pages contain the names and details of military personnel from Darvel who lost their lives in World War I and are commemorated on the above memorial. Most were born or were residents of Darvel during the war; others had emigrated but returned to fight for the Allied Forces.
These pages are part of a heritage digitisation project being undertaken by the Darvel & Area Regeneration team (DART). You can view other topics at the Heritage Channel.
The pages below are based on research and work by the late Les Pittams and are focused on WW1. A similar commemoration to those who sacrificed their lives in WW2 will follow.
Les Pittams
Les, who passed on 16th October 2020 was an inspiration to many of us in Darvel. His love for the town was evident in everything he did, and his impact was profound, leaving an indelible mark on our community. Many of us will remember him quietly getting on with things, just doing stuff to make our town a better place to live.
What you may not know is that he spent a great deal of time on tireless research, illuminating the lives and sacrifices of the men and women commemorated on the Darvel War Memorial, ensuring that each fallen soldier’s story would be remembered with honour and reverence.
His document details the address, their birth and death dates, family and other connections to Darvel and is a testament to his meticulous and heartfelt work. It was a labour of love that not only honoured those who had given their lives but also strengthened the ties that bind our community.
Les was not only an enthusiastic local historian but a beloved friend and neighbour to us all, known for his warm smile, quiet determination, and unyielding spirit. He was a man of integrity and hard work, qualities that endeared him to all who knew him.
It has been a pleasure and an honour to translate his work to our digital library. Whilst we could never emulate his demanding standards we hope we have got close enough to make him smile a little.
Darvel’s Contribution to WW1
War Start and End Dates: Britain entered WW1 on August 4, 1914, with an armistice signed on November 11, 1918.
Darvel’s Eligible Men: In 1914, Darvel had approximately 700 men eligible to join the armed forces, 112 of whom ultimately lost their lives and are honoured on the WW1 Memorial.
Britain’s ‘Old Contemptibles’ & Volunteer Army
The British Army’s Initial Force: At the war’s onset, the British Army comprised about 120,000 volunteers. This army was later nicknamed the “Old Contemptibles” by German Kaiser Wilhelm II, a name they bore with pride.
Volunteer Surge: Although the government initially expected 100,000 volunteers, approximately 750,000 had enlisted by September 1914. By January 1915, this number reached one million. Motivations varied, including patriotism, adventure, and financial incentives.
The Toll of Conscription
Introduction of Conscription: As volunteer numbers declined, conscription was introduced in June 1916, first for single men aged 18–41, later expanded to married men and those up to 51. By war’s end, 2,227,623 men had been conscripted, with 54% of the total armed forces comprising volunteers and 46% conscripts.
The Impact of World War I on Scotland and Britain
Casualties Among Scottish Troops: Scotland suffered disproportionately high losses, with approximately 26% of Scottish servicemen killed, a higher rate than the UK average.
British Casualties: Overall, 12-13% of British men of military age (18–41) perished, translating to 750,000–888,000 deaths out of an estimated 6-7 million mobilised.
Global Scope and Commemoration
International Conflict and Civilian Losses: WW1 was global in scope, with significant casualties resulting from trench warfare, shellings, chemical weapons (gas), and unrestricted submarine warfare.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Founded after WW1, the Commission was tasked with honouring and identifying fallen soldiers. Due to the trench warfare conditions, many bodies were unrecoverable, with some buried in marked or mass graves. Unidentified bodies bear headstones inscribed with “Known unto God.”
Memorials & Remembrance
Identity Discs and Records: Soldiers wore two identity discs—brown and red—on a single cord. The brown disc remained with the body, while the red disc was used for record-keeping. Because of the nature of the static trench based fighting, especially in France and Belgium, many of those killed just disappeared into the ground and were never recovered as recognisable human beings. Where bodies were recovered intact they were often buried in graves, either individual or mass, near where they had fallen. All hospitals and casualty clearing stations had graves nearby where those who had died while being treated were interred. The commonwealth war graves commission set about recording all these bodies and, where they were able to, provided a headstone bearing the persons’ details. Where there was a body but no identity the headstone bore the inscription “Known unto God”. Where there were no remains found the person was recorded on one of the many panels erected throughout the areas of the fighting.
The Darvel War Memorial
Establishment: Following WWI, virtually every town and village in Britain, including Darvel, erected memorials. Darvel’s memorial, funded by public subscription, originally listed WWI casualties. Later, the names of 31 WWII casualties were added.
Died on the same day
James Peden KIA in the Dardanelles & William Scade also KIA in the Dardanelles on 12th July 1915. James Douglas KIA at the Battle of Loos, France & James Hamilton also KIA at the Battle of Loos, France on 25th Sep 1915
Brothers killed
William Donald Loudoun KIA in Flanders on 9th Apr 1917 & Thomas Loudoun KIA in the Middle East on 8th June 1918. David McClymont died of wounds sustained in Flanders on 26th Sep 1915 & William McClymont also died of wounds sustained in Flanders 25th Aug 1918.
Youngest, First & Last
Youngest to die was Archibald Morton KIA 13th Oct 1915 aged 16 years and 7 months. Like many young men at the time he lied about his age. He is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, France. His body was never recovered.
First Darvel person to die was Alexander Morton on 24th Oct 1914 in Flanders. Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
Last Darvel person to die was Alexander Robertson from gunshot wounds to his pelvis at the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow on 7th Jan 1920. Buried in Darvel Old Cemetery.
Frank Donnelly Article
In Nov 2020 Frank Donnelly wrote
Because of the Corona Virus pandemic there will be no special Armistice Day service at the Darvel War Memorial this year. However, a detailed file commemorating the 143 (includes WWII) military personnel who had Darvel connections either by birth or residence had been compiled by Les Pittams who sadly died recently. His wife Margaret, passed the file on to me for inclusion in the Darvel Heritage Museum in the Town Hall which is currently closed owing to the pandemic.
The files list details about the people whose names appear on the Darvel War Memorial – age, regiment, where and when killed, address etc – and several descendants of these people still live in the town. It seems appropriate at this time of the year to publicise the dedicated effort and time spent by Les in compiling the file, as well as to remind the people of Darvel about those who gave their lives for us in the two Worlds Wars. The file contains lots of fascinating detail.
For example, it contains a poem by John Mair (see below) about James Brown who was killed at Fleurbaix on the night of 18th Dec 1915.
James Brown
Jimmy dear, ma hert is sad
I’m thinkin o ye noo
Tho oor guid God’s sun is shinin
An the sky abin is blue.
I miss ye sair, I lo’ed ye weel
I’ve never been the same
Since that cauld nicht in December,
Dear Jimmy, you were slain.
Yer yin that’s gan above, Jimmy.
Ye were yin o Scotias best lad.
When facing Scotlands foe
[missing line].
An mony sad tears I’ve shed, my freen
God’s ma judge, ma hert is sair.
We shook hans and pairted that winter night,
On earth tae meet nae mair.
Twas hard tae dee sae young, Jimmy.
Ye were o pals the best.
An I’ve aye this consolation…
That yer soul wi God does rest.
Archibald Morton
Another story tells the tale of Archibald Morton who lived at 83 East Main Street with his mum, dad, brother and 3 sisters. Such was his determination to serve he joined the Cameron Highlanders giving his age as 19 when he was barely 16 years old. On the 13th Oct 1915 his battalion took part in the in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt which was heavily defended as part of the German front line.
His battalion took heavy losses and Archibald was killed at the age of 16 years and 7 months. He was undoubtedly one of the youngest to be killed in WW1. There is no known grave for him which means either his body was not recovered or he has one of the many thousands of headstones bearing the simple inscription ‘A British Soldier Known Unto God’.
John Aird
Surname: Aird
Forenames: John
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 295080
Date of Birth: 28th May 1890
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 19th August 1918
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morbecque, France
Inscription:
Address: Donington Street, Darvel
Spouse: Elizabeth (née McChristie)
Marriage: 13th December 1909 (married for 8 years 8 months)
Father: Thomas
Mother: Janet (Jessie) (née Wood)
James Alston
Surname: Alston
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Service Number: 202438
Date of Birth: 22nd May 1891
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 23rd Apr 1917
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: The Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: Norwich, England
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: David
Mother: Catherine (née Gilmour)
Thomas Alston
Surname: Alston
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: Sergeant
Unit: 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 2932
Date of Birth: 13th Jan 1894
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 18th Nov 1916
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Inscription:
Address: Newlands Farm, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Elizabeth (née White)
Alexander Anderson
Surname: Anderson
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 303732
Date of Birth: 19th April 1889
Place of Birth: Sorn
Date of Death: 30th December 1917
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: Middle East
Burial Place: Buried at sea
Commemorated: Chatby Memorial, Alexandria, Egypt
Address: 96 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Elizabeth (maiden surname Girvan)
Marriage: 30th October 1908 (9 years 2 months)
Father:
Mother: Elizabeth (maiden surname Cox)
John Anderson
Surname: Anderson
Forenames: John
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 8499
Date of Birth: 25th Nov 1886
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th Jul 1915
Age: 29 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Dardanelles
Burial Place: Helles memorial, Dardanelles, Turkey
Address: 38/40 East Main Street, Darvel
Father: William
Mother: Janet (née Mair)
Thomas Armour
George Baird
Surname: Baird
Forenames: George
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 33rd Battalion Australian Infantry
Service Number: 2274
Date of Birth: 3rd Jul 1882
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 24th Apr 1918
Age: 36 years old
Cause of Death: Gassed
Place of Death:
Burial Place: St Severs Cemetery, Rouen, France
Father: James
Mother: Janet (née Browning)
John Barclay
Surname: Barclay
Forenames: John
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 1st/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: 266610
Date of Birth: 19th Dec 1893
Place of Birth: Kilmarnock
Date of Death: 28th Apr 1918
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Etaples Military Cemetery, France
Address: 109 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Mary (née Tannock)
Marriage: 27th Oct 1911 (6 years 6 months)
Father: Andrew
Mother: Elizabeth (née McNair)
Joseph Black
Surname: Black
Forenames: Joseph
Rank: Able Seaman
Unit: Royal Navy
Service Number: J/79789
Date of Birth: 27th March 1892
Place of Birth: Riccarton, Ayrshire
Date of Death: 15th Feb 1918
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Dover Straits
Burial Place: His body was not recovered from the sea
Commemorated: Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon
Address: 33 East Main Street, Darvel
Father: William
Mother: Sarah (née Martin)
Note 1: Serving on HM Drifter: Silver Queen when it was sunk by German destroyers in Dover Straits. His body was not recovered from the sea.
Robert Borland
Surname: Borland
Forenames: Robert Nesbit
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 20853
Date of Birth: 1st March 1896
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 30th July 1916
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death:
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial, Ypres, Somme
Inscription:
Address: 77 High Street, Sanquhar
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Sarah (née Nesbit)
Note 1: Worked as a hairdresser
William Borland
Surname: Borland
Forenames: William Barr
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/14013
Date of Birth: 21st Aug 1888
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 25th Sep 1915
Age: 27 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Address: 7 Ranoldcoup Road, Darvel
Father: Alexander
Mother: Jessie (née Gemmell)
Alexander Boyd
Surname: Boyd
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/16804
Date of Birth: 2nd Feb 1889
Place of Birth: Paisley
Date of Death: 28th Jan 1917
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
Address: 18 Armour Terrace, Darvel
Father: Archibald
Mother: Elizabeth (née Unknown)
George Willock Brough
Surname: Brough
Forenames: George Willock
Rank: Private
Unit: 102 Company of the Machine Gun Corps
Service Number: 45101 (formerly 30352 in the Royal Scots)
Date of Birth: 19th Dec 1896
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 2nd Mar 1917
Age: 21 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds received whilst fighting
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Haute-Avesnes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription: “One of the Dearest, One of the Best”
Address: Glen Terrace, Darvel
Father: Peter
Mother: Elizabeth (née Willock)
Gavin Bryce
Surname: Bryce
Forenames: Gavin
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: S/10162
Date of Birth: 1st Oct 1890
Place of Birth: Calton, Glasgow
Date of Death: 25th Sep 1915
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Spouse: Elizabeth (née Wright)
Marriage: 18th Nov 1910 (4 years 10 months)
Father: Gavin
Mother: Mary (née Wilson)
Note 1: Only known connection with Darvel is that his father was born there.
James Bryce
Surname: Bryce
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 2775
Date of Birth: 5th Sep 1890
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 21st Jul 1915
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: Gallipoli
Burial Place: Helles Memorial, Turkey
Address: 64 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Sarah (née Alexander)
Marriage: 12th Apr 1912 (3 years 3 months)
Father: Alexander
Mother: Mary (née Thomson)
Allan Caldwell
Surname: Caldwell
Forenames: Allan
Rank: Private
Unit: New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (Home Service Section)
Service Number: 3/4028
Date of Birth: 17th Sep 1892
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 27th Nov 1918
Age: 26 years
Cause of Death: As a result of an accident whilst in New Zealand
Place of Death: New Zealand
Burial Place: Masterton Cemetery, Wairapaipa District, New Zealand
Inscription:
Address: Cessnock, Donington Street (in 1901)
Father: David
Mother: Margaret (née Smith)
Robert Campbell
Surname: Campbell
Forenames: Robert
Rank: Gunner
Unit: C Battery, 104th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 966739
Date of Birth: 23rd November 1892
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 6th July 1917
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Bus House Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Address: 25 Burnbank Street, Darvel
Father: Andrew
Mother: Elizabeth (née Hunter)
William Cleland
Surname: Cleland
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 34th Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Service Number: 132479
Date of Birth: 3rd Feb 1899
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 11th Apr 1918
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Croix du Bac British Cemetery, Nord, France
Inscription: “Thy glory shall not be blotted out”
Father: John
Mother: Agnes (née Wilson)
John Cochrane
Surname: Cochrane
Forenames: John Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Service Number: 29738
Date of Birth: 30th Jan 1887
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th Oct 1917
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Ypres
Burial Place: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
Address: Temple Street, Darvel
Spouse: Janet (née Unknown)
Father: William
Mother: Marion (née Robertson)
Note 1: At time of death c/o Hamilton, Matewai, Waiho Downs, Canterbury, New Zealand
John Stirrat Crawford
Surname: Crawford
Forenames: John Stirrat
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Unit: 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Date of Birth: 1888
Place of Birth: Dalry
Date of Death: 5th March 1919
Age: 31 years old
Cause of Death: From a combination of influenza, bronchial pneumonia, and basal meningitis. One of the millions of humans killed by the Spanish flu pandemic.
Place of Death:
Burial Place:
Address: 8 Kirkland Road, Darvel
Spouse: Jessie (née Richardson)
Marriage: 31st December 1917 (1 year 2 months)
Father: Robert
Mother: Annie (née Stirrat)
Thomas Dalziel
Surname: Dalziel
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots
Service Number: 20724
Date of Birth: 21st Aug 1881
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 2nd May 1916
Age: 35 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: La Clytte Military Cemetery, West Vlaandenen, Belgium
Address: Scoretulloch, Darvel
Father: James
Mother: Jane (née Carruthers)
Richard Deegan
Surname: Deegan
Forenames: Richard
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Service Number: S/8322 (formerly Private in Scottish Rifles S/7669)
Date of Birth: 8th Jul 1896
Place of Birth: Clyne, Sutherland
Date of Death: 18th Dec 1915
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: From wounds while being treated at the Canadian General Hospital
Place of Death:
Burial Place: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Address: West Main Street in 1905
Father: Michael (Colour Sergeant in the Seaforth Highlanders)
Mother: Mary (née Hammond)
James Douglas
Surname: Douglas
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/13781
Date of Birth: 2nd Dec 1887
Place of Birth: Larkhall, Lanarkshire
Date of Death: 25th Sep 1915
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Loos Memorial
Inscription:
Address: 6 Burnbank Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Robert
Mother: Annie Fleming (née Paterson)
Note 1: Died the same as James Hamilton & Hugh Morton
William Douglas
Surname: Douglas
Forenames: William Stevenson
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 11th Battalion, Royal Scots
Service Number: 12107
Date of Birth: 7th October 1882
Place of Birth: Thornliebank, Paisley, Renfrewshire
Date of Death: 14th July 1916
Age: 34 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Father: Thomas
Mother: Letitia (née Stevenson)
Note 1: Darvel connection unknown
Robert Drummond
Surname: Drummond
Forenames: Robert
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 200674
Date of Birth: 1889 (unconfirmed)
Place of Birth: England (unconfirmed)
Date of Death: 19th April 1917
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death:
Place of Death: Middle East
Burial Place: Israel-Palestine & Gaza Memorial, Jerusalem
Address: 77 West Main Street, Darvel
Father: Duncan
Mother: Elizabeth (née unknown)
Andrew Dykes
Surname: Dykes
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 12th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 32477
Date of Birth: 7th March 1891
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 6th November 1917
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Palestine
Burial Place: Beersheva War Cemetery, Palestine
Inscription: “To far away your grave to see, but not too far to think of thee”
Address: West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Janet Whyte (maiden name Young)
Marriage: 30th April 1915 (2 years 6 months)
Father: John
Mother: Christina (née Scade)
Note 1: Andrew & Janet were married on the same day as William Dykes and Annie Brough.
Andrew Dykes
Surname: Dykes
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service Number: S/18860
Date of Birth: 14th Feb 1892
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 13th Nov 1918
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: Possibly Germany
Burial Place: Berlin Southwestern Cemetery, Germany
Address: Residing in Darvel at time of death. Exact address unknown, possibly 92 East Main Street, Darvel
Father: James
Mother: Maggie (née Jackson)
Andrew Dykes
Surname: Dykes
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: Royal Army Medical Corps
Service Number: 44842
Date of Birth: 19th Apr 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: Possibly Belgium
Burial Place: Unknown
Address: 7 Hastings Place, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Andrew
Mother: Marion (née Paterson)
Note 1: Discharged from army as medically unfit on 26th Jul 1917, aged 22 at Woking, England. Discharge record number 52753.
Samuel McPherson Dykes
Surname: Dykes
Forenames: Samuel McPherson
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Unit: 56th Battalion Australian Infantry
Service Number:
Date of Birth: 21st Jul 1892
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 1st Nov 1916
Age: 24 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Warlencourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Address: Exact address in Darvel not known, but war records show him as a resident in the town at time of death
Father: Alexander
Mother: Margaret (née McPherson)
William Dykes
Surname: Dykes
Forenames: William Paterson
Rank: Gunner
Unit: 168th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 217908
Date of Birth: 15th March 1887
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th December 1917
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Mendinghem Cemetery, Belgium
Inscription:
Address: 26 Campbell Street, Darvel
Spouse: Annie Paton (née Brough)
Marriage: 30th April 1915 (2 years 7 months)
Father: Andrew
Mother: Marion (née Paterson)
Note 1: William & Annie were married on the same day as Andrew Dykes and Janet Whyte.
Alexander Fiddes
Surname: Fiddes
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: Highland Light Infantry Depot
Service Number: 54976
Date of Birth: 6th Aug 1898
Place of Birth: Glasgow
Date of Death: 25th Oct 1918
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds
Place of Death: 6th General Hospital, Rouen, France
Burial Place: Darvel Old Cemetery
Address: Glasgow
Father: John
Mother: Jessie (née Gilchrist)
Note 1: Resident of Glasgow when he died, but mother was born in Darvel, which is likely why his name is on the memorial.
Adam Fleming
Surname: Fleming
Forenames: Adam
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 6828
Date of Birth: 6th January 1892
Place of Birth: Muirkirk
Date of Death: 14th April 1915
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Voormezeele Cemetery, Belgium
Address: Residing in Whitletts, Ayr at time of death
Father: Robert
Mother: Helen (née Ross)
Note 1: Father born in Hurlford, mother born in Newmilns. No obvious connection to Darvel.
Adam Fleming
Surname: Fleming
Forenames: Adam
Rank: Gunner
Unit: Royal Garrison Artillery
Service Number: 95790
Date of Birth: 3rd Nov 1896
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 21st Mar 1918
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Pozier Memorial
Address: Finavon, Forfarshire
Father: Robert
Mother: Mary (née McKay)
David Fulton
Surname: Fulton
Forenames: David
Rank: Private
Unit: 16th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 39186
Date of Birth: 21st Sep 1893
Place of Birth: Bellshill
Date of Death: 23rd May 1918
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: St Severs Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France
Inscription: “Beloved son of Mary & David Fulton of Bellshill. He did his duty”
Father: David
Mother: Mary (née Caldwell)
Note 1: His mother was born in Darvel circa 1859, which likely qualifies him for inclusion on the war memorial.
John Gage
Surname: Gage
Forenames: John
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Royal Scots
Service Number: 41116 (previously Private with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, service number 10077)
Date of Birth: 21st Dec 1887
Place of Birth: Ayr
Date of Death: 23rd Oct 1918
Age: 31 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Romeries Communal Cemetery, Nord, France
Address: Kirkland Road, Darvel
Father: William
Mother: Margaret (née Neil)
Note 1: His identity was finally established sometime after he was interred.
Robert Gebbie
Surname: Gebbie
Forenames: Robert
Rank: Gunner
Unit: A Battery, 58th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 92496
Date of Birth: 22nd February 1894
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 1st November 1916
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Courcelette Cemetery, Somme, France
Address: 67 East Main Street, Darvel
Father: Robert
Mother: Margaret (née Jarvie)
John Gemmell
Surname: Gemmell
Forenames: John
Rank: Private Horse Mounted Trooper
Unit: Ayrshire Yeomanry
Service Number: 7061 in Ayrshire Yeomanry, 38349 in Worcester Regiment
Date of Birth: 29th July 1893
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 24th April 1917
Age: 24 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Balkans
Burial Place: Doiran Memorial Cemetery, Kilkis, Central Macedonia
Father: William
Mother: Jeanie (née Young)
Note 1: John was a territorial enlistment from 27th May 1910 to 26th May 1914
Note 2: At some point after this date and until his death, he served as a private in A Company, 11th Battalion of the Worcester Regiment, where he was ultimately killed.
Note 3: The Darvel war memorial lists him in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, while the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists him in the Worcester Regiment, where details about the Doiran War Memorial can be found.
Andrew Gilchrist
Surname: Gilchrist
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Corporal
Unit: 11th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: 242308
Date of Birth: 29th Jul 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 31st Jul 1917
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Inscription:
Address: 1254 Paisley Road West, Glasgow
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Janet (née Wilson)
Hugh Gilmour
Surname: Gilmour
Forenames: Hugh
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: 242381
Date of Birth: 4th Oct 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 16th May 1917
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Saint Nicolas Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription: “Thy will be done”
Address: Greenbank, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: William Meikle
Mother: Annie Kilpatrick (née Drummond)
James Hamilton
Surname: Hamilton
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/14014
Date of Birth: 22nd Nov 1896
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 25th Sep 1915
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais
Inscription:
Address: 75 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: David
Mother: Elizabeth (née Gray)
Note 1:Died same day as James Douglas & Hugh Morton
Thomas Hamilton
Surname: Hamilton
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: Sergeant
Unit: 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: S/10387
Date of Birth: 5th Mar 1893
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 28th Mar 1917
Age: 24 years old
Cause of Death: KIA (Killed in action)
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: HAC Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: Rosemount, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Jessie (née Wilson)
Alexander Stuart Ireland
Surname: Ireland
Forenames: Alexander Stuart
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 201724
Date of Birth: 14th June 1893
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 30th July 1918
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Meteren Military Cemetery, France
Inscription: “Loved by all, at rest”
Address: 18 Armour Terrace, Darvel
Father: John
Mother: Margaret (née Anderson)
Alexander Jamieson
Surname: Jamieson
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 16th Battalion Royal Scots
Service Number: 202564
Date of Birth: 31st May 1891
Place of Birth: Avondale, Lanarkshire
Date of Death: 12th Sep 1917
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: St Severs Cemetery, Rouen, France
Address: 66 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Elizabeth (née Brannagan)
Marriage: 20th Sep 1912 (4 years 11 months)
Father: John
Mother: Margaret (née Barker)
Archibald Jamieson
Surname: Jamieson
Forenames: Archibald
Rank: Private
Unit: 8th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Service Number: 14412
Date of Birth: Unknown
Place of Birth: USA
Date of Death: 10th Nov 1915
Age: Unknown
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Aix Nourette Communal Cemetery, France
Address: 281 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow
Father: Archibald
Mother: Annie (née Wilson)
Note 1: Born in the United States of America
Note 2: Parents were residents in Darvel when Archie was killed
Nicol Jamieson
Surname: Jamieson
Forenames: Nicol
Rank: Captain
Unit: 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: (Not provided)
Date of Birth: 29th June 1883
Place of Birth: Glasgow
Date of Death: 13th August 1915
Age: 32 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Gallipoli
Burial Place: Helles War Memorial, Turkey
Address: The Braes, Burn Road, Darvel
Father: Alexander
Mother: Margaret (née Paterson)
Note 1: Brother of William Paterson Jamieson who died on 6th Apr 1917
William Paterson Jamieson
Surname: Jamieson
Forenames: William Paterson
Rank: Lieutenant
Unit: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders; later transferred to C Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy)
Service Number: (Not provided)
Date of Birth: 30th May 1888
Place of Birth: Glasgow
Date of Death: 6th April 1917
Age: 29 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais
Address: The Braes, Burn Road, Darvel
Father: Alexander
Mother: Margaret (née Paterson)
Note 1: Brother of Nicol Jamieson who died on 13th Aug 1915
James Kay
Surname: Kay
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 16th Battalion, Royal Scots
Service Number: 202565
Date of Birth: 20th March 1889
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 27th August 1917
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Hargincourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France
Address: 2 Hastings Place, Darvel
Spouse: Jeanie (née Hughan)
Marriage: 21st December 1914 (2 years 8 months)
Father: Samuel
Mother: Jane (née Cameron)
John Kerr
Surname: Kerr
Forenames: John
Rank: Sergeant
Unit: 381st Battery of the 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 655555
Date of Birth: 5th January 1890
Place of Birth: Sanquhar
Date of Death: 14th November 1917
Age: 27 years old
Cause of Death: Unknown
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Unknown
Inscription: “He died that we may live”
Commemorated: Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium
Address: Low Green Bank, Darvel
Father: John
Mother: Jane (née unknown)
James Lister
Surname: Lister
Forenames: James
Rank: Gunner
Unit: D Battery, 256th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 663027
Date of Birth: 26th November 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 8th September 1918
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Ligny-Saint Flochel, Averdoingt, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription: “O for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still”
Address: Edith Street, Darvel
Father: John
Mother: Bella Lister (née Morton)
Thomas Loudoun
Surname: Loudoun
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Unit: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Service Number: N/A
Date of Birth: 27th October 1886
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 8th June 1918
Age: 32 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in Action (KIA)
Place of Death: Middle East
Burial Place: Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel
Inscription: “Anchored by love, death cannot sever, remembrance lasts forever”
Address: 1 Tenby Avenue, Albert Road, Withington, Manchester
Father: John
Mother: Margaret (née Allan)
William Loudoun
Surname: Loudoun
Forenames: William Donald
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 15th Battalion, Royal Scots
Service Number: 17421
Date of Birth: 23rd October 1894
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 9th April 1917
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Commemorated: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Address: 1 Tenby Avenue, Withington, Manchester
Father: John
Mother: Margaret (née Allan)
Note: See page number 54 for details of his brother who was killed in the Middle East on 8 June 1918.
Alan MacPherson
Surname: MacPherson
Forenames: Allan
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 200813
Date of Birth: 1st October 1884
Place of Birth: Kilmarnock
Date of Death: 3rd September 1916
Age: 32 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial
Address: No obvious connection to Darvel
Father: Archibald
Mother: Ann (née Bruce)
James Mair
Surname: Mair
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: Cameron Highlander of Canada
Service Number: 153909
Date of Birth: 2nd Apr 1886
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 13th Oct 1916
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Etaples Military Cemetery, France
Inscription:
Address: 750 St Matthews Street, Winnipeg, Canada
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Gavin
Mother: Janet (nee Irvine)
William Fleming Mair
Surname: Mair
Forenames: William Fleming
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion Black Watch, Royal Highlanders
Service Number: 231
Date of Birth: 5th May 1886
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 25th Jan 1915
Age: 29 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: 81 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Marion (nee Fleming)
James Martin
Surname: Martin
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number:
Date of Birth: 23rd June 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 14th January 1919
Age: 24 years old
Cause of Death: Chronic heart disease which had been with him for 2 years.
Place of Death:
Burial Place:
Inscription:
Address: 116 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Janet (née Noble)
Note 1: Neither the Commonwealth War Graves Commission nor the Royal Scots Fusiliers records have his name in their files. It is not known why his name appears on the Darvel memorial.
David McClymont
Surname: McCLymont
Forenames: David
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 11783
Date of Birth: 11th Jun 1891
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 26th Sep 1915
Age: 24 years
Cause of Death: Wounds
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: In a collective grave at Verquin Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais
Inscription:
Address: 66 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Elizabeth (née Hamilton)
Note 1: Brother of William McClymont who died on 25th Aug 1918
William McClymont
Surname: McCLymont
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 240942
Date of Birth: 24th Feb 1894
Place of Birth: Coatbridge
Date of Death: 25th Aug 1918
Age: 24 years old
Cause of Death: Wounds sustained
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: St Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, France
Inscription:
Address: 75 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Elizabeth (nee Hamilton)
Note 1: Brother David McLymont killed in action on 26th Sep 1915 at the Battle of Loos
James McInnes
Surname: McInnes
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 2930
Date of Birth: 27th Feb 1895
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 8th Aug 1916
Age: 21 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais
Inscription:
Address: Langvale, West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Margaret (née Pollock)
Mathew McInnes
Surname: McInnes
Forenames: Mathew Pollock
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)
Service Number: 33004
Date of Birth: 15th Jan 1898
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 4th Aug 1917
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: No known cause
Place of Death:
Burial Place: West Vlaanderen, Belgium
Inscription: “At rest”
Address: 37 Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: William
Mother: Maggie (née Pollock)
Thomas Robertson McKelvie
Surname: McKelvie
Forenames: Thomas Robertson
Rank: Corporal
Unit: 6th/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 200800
Date of Birth: 1st September 1878
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 22nd August 1917
Age: 39 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Aeroplane Cemetery, West Vlaandenen, Belgium
Spouse: Mary Cleland (née Lawrie)
Marriage: 7th Nov 1902 (14 years 9 months)
Father: John
Mother: Mary Cleland (née Lawrie)
Note 1: Residing in Darvel at the time of his death
George McKie
Surname: McKie
Forenames: George
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 16204
Date of Birth: 15th April 1893
Place of Birth: Mauchline
Date of Death: 12th August 1916
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial, Ypres, Somme
Inscription:
Address: 51 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: George
Mother: Mary McKie (née Frew)
Andrew McKinley
Surname: McKinley
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 30703
Date of Birth: 21st Jan 1886
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 3rd Dec 1917
Age: 31 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France
Inscription:
Address: Living in Carlisle at the time of death
Spouse: Jean (née Rodger)
Marriage: 6th Dec 1912 (4 years 11 months)
Father: James
Mother: Rosina (née Donnelly)
George Brown Forrest Millar
Surname: Millar
Forenames: George Brown Forrest
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 7120
Date of Birth: 20th October 1895
Place of Birth: Avondale, Lanarkshire
Date of Death: 19th June 1915
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death:
Place of Death: Dardanelles
Memorial: Helles War Memorial, Turkey
Inscription:
Address:
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father:
Mother: Mary Forrest
Note 1: Mary Forrest married William Millar and lived at Mid-Tulloch Farm, Darvel
Alexander Morton
Surname: Morton
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards
Service Number: 9309
Date of Birth: 8th March 1883
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 24th October 1914
Age: 21 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium
Inscription:
Address: 30 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Annie (née Lindsay)
Marriage: 31st December 1914
Father: William
Mother: Mary (née Watson)
Note 1: Sometime resident at Quarterhouse, Darvel
Archibald Morton
Surname: Morton
Forenames: Archibald
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/17948
Date of Birth: 3rd May 1899
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 13th Oct 1915
Age: 16 years & 7 months old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Battle of Loos, Flanders
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais
Inscription:
Address: Maryland, East Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Ninian
Mother: Janet (née Aird)
Note 1: Private Morton is the youngest person commemorated on the Darvel memorial. Like so many others, he lied about his age when he volunteered.
David Morton
Surname: Morton
Forenames: David McCartney
Rank: Private
Unit: 10th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service Number: S/11742
Date of Birth: 17th Apr 1897
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 5th May 1917
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Arras
Burial Place: Arras Memorial, Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: Fairmount Cottage, East Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Archibald
Mother: Margaret (née McCartney)
Hugh Morton
Surname: Morton
Forenames: Hugh
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/14009
Date of Birth: 14th May 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 25th Sep 1915
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: Fairmount Cottage, East Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Archibald
Mother: Margaret (née McCartney)
Note 1:Died same day as James Douglas & James Hamilton
William Morton
Surname: Morton
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Service Number: S/4336
Date of Birth: 28th Apr 1896
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 1st Jul 1916
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme
Burial Place: Sucerbie Military Cemetery
Inscription: “gone from earth yet still to live a nobler life above”
Address: 6 Kirkland Road, Darvel
Father: Robert
Mother: Agnes (née Nairn)
Hugh Muir
Surname: Muir
Forenames: Hugh
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 200570
Date of Birth: 3rd August 1895
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 19th April 1917
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Middle East
Commemorated: Jerusalem Memorial, Israel
Address: 2 Hastings Square, Darvel
Father: Hugh
Mother: Agnes (née Smith)
James Muir
Surname: Muir
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 52376
Date of Birth: 31st March 1889
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 18th September 1918
Age: 29 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Commemorated: Vis-En-Artois Cemetery
Address: 14 Hamilton Place, Donington Street, Darvel
Spouse: Nellie (née Bell)
Father: James
Mother: Lizzie Muir (née Goldie)
Malcolm Munro
Surname: Munro
Forenames: Malcolm
Rank: Private
Unit: 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: S/14118
Date of Birth: 30th Aug 1890
Place of Birth: Kinning Park, Barony, Lanarkshire
Date of Death: 17th Aug 1916
Age: 26 years old
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Place of Death: At home
Burial Place: Darvel Old Cemetery
Address: 7 Hastings Place, Darvel
Spouse: Margaret (née Lochore)
Father: Hugh
Mother: Mary (née Paton)
Thomas Murdoch
Surname: Murdoch
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: —
Unit: 113th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
Service Number: 75832
Date of Birth: 26th Mar 1882
Place of Birth: Cairsaigh Lodge, Darvel
Date of Death: 31st Oct 1917
Age: 35 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Spoilbank Cemetery, Belgium
Address: —
Spouse: —
Marriage: —
Father: Thomas
Mother: Sarah (née Nicol)
Note 1: Appears in error on the war memorial as part of the Canadian Forces
William Ness
Surname: Ness
Forenames: William
Rank: Driver
Unit: A Battery, 87th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 831775
Date of Birth: 16th May 1895
Place of Birth: West Kilbride
Date of Death: 22nd April 1918
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, France
Father: David
Mother: Roberta (née McIntyre)
Note 1: Awarded the Military Medal for acts of devotion or bravery under enemy fire.
Note 2: No obvious connection to Darvel
John Laird Nisbet
Surname: Nisbet
Forenames: John Laird
Rank: Private
Unit: Royal Army Medical Corps
Service Number: 63192
Date of Birth: 17th May 1889
Place of Birth: Kilmarnock
Date of Death: 4th May 1917
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Died at sea
Place of Death: Gulf of Genoa
Commemorated: Savona Memorial, Italy
Address: 7 Richardland Road, Kilmarnock
Father: John
Mother: Mary (née Laird)
Note 1: Connection to Darvel unknown
Note 2: Troopship Transylvania torpedoed near Savona in the Gulf of Genoa with the loss of 400 lives.
David Ogilvy
Surname: Ogilvy
Forenames: David
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 32329
Date of Birth: 7th March 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 31st July 1917
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Commemorated: Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium
Address: 6 Burn Road, Darvel (unconfirmed)
Spouse: Jenny Morton (née Dykes)
Marriage: 11th August 1915
Father: William
Mother: Elizabeth (née Gardner)
James Paterson
Surname: Paterson
Forenames: James
Rank: Gunner
Unit: 2nd Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 2521
Date of Birth: 3rd September 1897
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 11th January 1916
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: Died at home from wounds
Place of Death: Darvel
Burial Place: Darvel Old Cemetery
Inscription: “Thy purpose Lord we cannot see, but all is well that’s done by thee”
Address: 2 Kirkland Road, Darvel
Father: Wilson
Mother: Janet (née Pollock)
Jessie Jane Paterson
Surname: Paterson
Forenames: Jessie Jane
Rank: Staff Nurse
Unit: Territorial Nursing Service
Date of Birth: 4th March 1882
Place of Birth: Dalbeattie
Date of Death: 29th September 1926
Age: 34 years
Burial Place: Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece
Address: 3 Craignar Street, Dalbeattie
Father: James
Mother: Marion Isabella (née Ewart)
Note 1: No known connection to Darvel
William Paton
Surname: Paton
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
Service Number: S/3062
Date of Birth: 1884
Place of Birth: possibly Kilmarnock
Date of Death: 25th September 1915
Age: 31 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Father: Adam
Mother: Mary (née unknown)
James Peden
Surname: Peden
Forenames: James Templeton
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 7858
Date of Birth: 28th April 1893
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Lanarkshire
Date of Death: 12th July 1915
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Dardanelles
Memorial: Helles War Memorial, Turkey
Address: 77 West Main Street, Darvel
Father: John
Mother: Jeanie Peden (née Pollok)
Note: See William Scade, who was killed in the same location on the same day.
Richard Purden
Surname: Purden
Forenames: Richard
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, Canadian Infantry
Service Number: 401582
Date of Birth: 28th May 1892
Place of Birth: Glasgow
Date of Death: 3rd September 1916
Age: 24 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Canadian Cemetery, Sunken Road, Contalmaison, Somme, France
Address: 102 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse: Maggie (née Brown)
Marriage: 22nd September 1915
Father: William
Mother: Mary (née Smith)
John Retson
Surname: Retson
Forenames: John
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 20279
Date of Birth: 16th June 1897
Place of Birth: Parish of Sorn
Date of Death: 4th June 1916
Age: 19 years
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Vermells British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription: “peace thy olive wand extend and bid wild war its ravage end”
Address: Dalquharn, Darvel
Father: Thomas
Mother: Agnes (née Jamieson)
Andrew Richmond
Surname: Richmond
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 34927
Date of Birth: 30th December 1889
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 29th September 1918
Age: 29 years old
Cause of Death: Died of wounds
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Haringhe Cemetery, Belgium
Inscription: “to memory dear”
Address: 17 Kirkland Road, Darvel
Spouse: Marion Richmond (maiden name Strachan)
Marriage: 28th March 1913
Father: William
Mother: Rachel Richmond (née Dykes)
Andrew Richmond
Surname: Richmond
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 11th Battalion Royal Scots
Service Number: 41218
Date of Birth: 29th Sep 1892
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 7th Apr 1917
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Arras Memorial
Address: At time of death residing in Darvel
Father: Thomas
Mother: Agnes (née Morton)
John Muir Richmond
Surname: Richmond
Forenames: John Muir
Rank: Lance Corporal
Unit: 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Service Number: 19395
Date of Birth: 20th January 1900
Place of Birth: Mauchline
Date of Death: 28th September 1918
Age: 18
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Plot V.A.10, Gouzeaucourt, New British Cemetery, Nord, France
Inscription:
Address: Shettleston, Glasgow
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Jessie (née Muir)
Note 1: Parents married in Darvel on 15th August 1896, indicating they were residents at that time, hence the inclusion of their son John on the memorial.
Mathew Richmond
Surname: Richmond
Forenames: Mathew
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 7692
Date of Birth: 2nd July 1893
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 2nd October 1915
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death:
Place of Death: Napsbury War Hospital, St Albans
Burial Place:
Inscription:
Address: 76 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Jane McCrindle (née Cassels)
Robert Richmond
Surname: Richmond
Forenames: Robert
Rank: Private
Unit: 12th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Service Number: 32180
Date of Birth: 21st December 1877
Place of Birth: Newmilns
Date of Death: 24th March 1918
Age: 41
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Poziers Memorial, Somme, France
Inscription:
Address: 9 Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse: Maggie (née Phillips)
Marriage: 21st December 1906
Father: Mathew
Mother: Janet (née McKelvie)
Thomas Ritchie
Surname: Ritchie
Forenames: Thomas Alexander
Rank: Sapper
Unit: Signal Company, Royal Engineers
Service Number: 310437
Date of Birth: 31st December 1883
Place of Birth: Lanark
Date of Death: 7th August 1918
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death:
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Querrieu British Cemetery, Somme, France
Inscription:
Commemorated:
Address: 36C Bute Street, Whifflet, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire
Spouse: Ethel Louisa (née Hunt)
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Jane (née Cunningham)
Note 1: Link to Darvel unknown
William Ritchie
Surname: Ritchie
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
Service Number: 28135
Date of Birth: 1896
Place of Birth: Peterborough
Date of Death: 25th Oct 1918
Age: 22 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Mesopotamia
Burial Place: Basra Memorial, Iraq
Inscription:
Address: East Donnington Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Jane (née McGrorie)
Adam Taylor Robertson
Surname: Robertson
Forenames: Adam Taylor
Rank: Private
Unit: 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/40809 (formerly in Lovat Scouts, Service Number 36669)
Date of Birth: 16th Apr 1897
Place of Birth: Kilmarnock
Date of Death: 3rd May 1917
Age: 20 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais
Inscription:
Address: 28 Campbell Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Jessie (née Taylor)
Alexander Robertson
Surname: Robertson
Forenames: Alexander
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 15221
Date of Birth: 22nd Aug 1897
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 7th Jan 1920
Age: 23 years
Cause of Death: Died as a result of gunshot wounds to his pelvic region
Place of Death: Darvel
Burial Place: Darvel Old Cemetery
Inscription:
Address: 17 Burnbank Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Colin
Mother: Maggie (née MacDonald)
Charles Robertson
Surname: Robertson
Forenames: Charles
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
Service Number: 5570
Date of Birth: 29th Jul 1888
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 15th Nov 1916
Age: 28 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Yravine Cemetery, Beaumont, Hamel, Somme, France
Inscription:
Address: 77 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: George
Mother: Agnes (née Jamieson)
Alfred Elliot Somers Robinson
Surname: Robinson
Forenames: Alfred Elliot Somers
Rank: Lieutenant
Unit: 4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number:
Date of Birth: 1878 (unconfirmed)
Place of Birth: England (unconfirmed)
Date of Death: Wednesday 16th June 1915
Age: 37 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Le Touret Memorial Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: 37 Sisters Avenue, Battersea, London
Spouse: Elise Esther Robinson (née La Bastie)
Father: William
Mother: Clara Mary (maiden surname unknown)
Note 1: His brother, William Gower Robinson, a sergeant with the Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action on 25 April 1915 at Ypres and is commemorated on panel 6/8 at the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.
Note 2: His father was a professional soldier, recorded in the 1891 census as a sergeant major in the Royal Engineers stationed in Maryhill, Glasgow.
Note 3: As a professional soldier, his father would serve outside Scotland, with children born abroad being registered in their country of birth, reflective of the British Empire’s reach.
Note 4: He was mentioned in despatches, indicating he was recognized by higher command for meritorious service or gallantry, represented by a bronze oak leaf cluster.
James Ross
Surname: Ross
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
Service Number: S/10592
Date of Birth: 25th Nov 1889
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th Oct 1916
Age: 27 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Thiepval Memorial
Inscription:
Address: 113 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Duncan
Mother: Janet (nee Allan)
Thomas Ross
Surname: Ross
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: Private
Unit: 2nd/10th Battalion, Royal Scots and Scottish Rifles
Service Number: 53400, 37963
Date of Birth: 19th October 1899
Place of Birth: Galston
Date of Death: 14th October 1918
Age: 19 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Russia
Burial Place: Archangel Memorial, Russian Federation
Inscription:
Address: 319 North A Street, Philadelphia
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Mathew
Mother: Christina (née Dykes)
Note 1: He was fighting in Russia as part of an allied force which was trying to stop the Germans from controlling parts of the country as the Bolsheviks took over the government.
Hugh Raw Samson
Surname: Samson
Forenames: Hugh Raw
Rank: Private, Trooper, Private
Unit: 4th Battalion, Royal Scots, Ayrshire Yeomanry, Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 271201, 2158, 200127
Date of Birth: 12th February 1884
Place of Birth: New Cumnock
Date of Death: 27th September 1918
Age: 34 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Moeuvres British Cemetery, Cambrai, France
Inscription:
Address: Whitburn, Linlithgow
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Elizabeth (née Raw)
Note 1: Parents were living in Darvel at the time of his death.
William Scade
Surname: Scade
Forenames: William
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 8847
Date of Birth: 25th October 1890
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th July 1915
Age: 25 years old
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Place of Death: Dardanelles
Memorial: Helles War Memorial, Turkey
Inscription:
Address:
Spouse: Elizabeth (née Robertson)
Marriage: 13th September 1912
Father: John Scade
Mother: Margaret Scade (née Wallace)
Note 1: See James Peden who was killed in the same location on the same day.
James Speirs
Surname: Speirs
Forenames: James
Rank: Sapper
Unit: 87th Field Company, Royal Engineers
Service Number: 37606
Date of Birth: 6th February 1894
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 13th January 1917
Age: 23 years old
Cause of Death: Sustained wounds
Place of Death: Iraq
Burial Place: Amara War Cemetery, Iraq
Inscription:
Commemorated:
Address: 14 West Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Margaret (née Campbell)
Daniel Thorburn
Surname: Thorburn
Forenames: Daniel
Rank: Driver
Unit: Royal Field Artillery
Service Number: 655562
Date of Birth: 14th Dec 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 12th Jul 1917
Age: 22 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Menin Gate Memorial
Address: 67 East Main Street, Darvel
Father: John
Mother: Kate (née Hunter)
Adam Walker
Surname: Walker
Forenames: Adam
Rank: Private
Unit: 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: S/18385
Date of Birth: 22nd November 1896
Place of Birth: Troon
Date of Death: 9th April 1917
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: Died as a result of wounds sustained during the Battle of Arras
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais
Inscription: “Severed only till He come”
Address: 4 Edith Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: William
Mother: Martha (née Adam)
John D G Walker
Surname: Walker
Forenames: John D G
Rank: Private
Unit: 78th Battalion, Canadian Army
Service Number: 1000776
Date of Birth: 27th November 1883
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, USA
Date of Death: 2nd November 1917
Age: 34 years
Cause of Death: Wound sustained while fighting in Belgium
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium
Inscription:
Address: 1 Jamieson Road, Darvel
Spouse: Christiana (née Mathieson)
Marriage:
Father: John L
Mother: Amelia (née Brown)
Note 1: Parents residing at Camden, Campbell Street, Darvel
Andrew Wallace
Surname: Wallace
Forenames: Andrew
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 201017
Date of Birth: 6th July 1883
Place of Birth: Dalmarnock, Glasgow
Date of Death: 16th November 1917
Age: 34 years old
Cause of Death: Died from wounds
Place of Death: Palestine
Burial Place: Deir el Belah War Cemetery, Gaza
Inscription:
Address: 6 Hastings Place, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: James
Mother: Jeanie (née Cochrane)
John Watthews
Surname: Watthews
Forenames: John
Rank: Private
Unit: 15th Battalion Central Ontario Regiment, Canadian Army
Service Number: 799148
Date of Birth: 20th Jan 1897
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 9th Aug 1918
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: France
Burial Place: Manitoba Cemetery, Picardy, France
Inscription: “gone but not forgotten”
Address: Laurel Avenue, Islington, Ontario, Canada
Spouse: Ellen
Marriage:
Father: Samuel
Mother: Helen (née Erskine)
James Wilson
Surname: Wilson
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Service Number: 42274
Date of Birth: 19th Dec 1887
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 31st Jul 1917
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Inscription:
Address: Crossview Cottage, Campbell Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: William
Mother: Agnes (née Morton)
John Hay Wishart
Surname: Wishart
Forenames: John Hay
Rank: Private
Unit: 30th Battalion Australian Infantry
Service Number: 1004
Date of Birth: 14th Feb 1878
Place of Birth: Kelvin, Glasgow
Date of Death: 20th Jul 1916
Age: 38 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Somme
Burial Place: Australian Cemetery & Fromelles Memorial, France
Inscription:
Address: Records show that he was a resident of Glasgow but his parents resided at Barony Cottage, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John Hay
Mother: Helen (née McNab)
James Woodburn
Surname: Woodburn
Forenames: James
Rank: Private
Unit: 5th/6th Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)
Service Number: 30069
Date of Birth: 19th Oct 1897
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 27th May 1917
Age: 20 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Flanders
Burial Place: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Inscription:
Address: Glenbank, East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Elizabeth (née Mair)
John Woodburn
Surname: Woodburn
Forenames: John
Rank: Private
Unit: 47th Battalion Australian Infantry
Service Number: 2009
Date of Birth: 23rd Dec 1895
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 9th Aug 1917
Age: 22 years
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: 3rd Battle of Ypres, Belgium
Burial Place: Derry House Cemetery, West Vlaandenen, Belgium
Inscription:
Address: 18 Burnbank Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Elizabeth (née Mair)
John Wylie
Surname: Wylie
Forenames: John
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (previously Private in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, Service Number 28542)
Service Number: 42535
Date of Birth: 29th Sep 1888
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 8th June 1918
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: KIA
Place of Death: Belgium
Burial Place: Mensil Cemetery, Belgium
Inscription: “at rest”
Address: 15 Ranoldcoup Road, Darvel
Spouse: Janet (née James)
Marriage: 20th Oct 1911
Father: James
Mother: Jeanie (née Sorbie)
Peter Wylie
Surname: Wylie
Forenames: Peter
Rank: Corporal
Unit: Royal Defence Corps
Service Number: 24581 (formerly Private in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, Service Number 20106)
Date of Birth: 1868
Place of Birth: Liverpool
Date of Death: 11th Jun 1917
Age: 49 years
Cause of Death: Died at home from acute abdominal colic
Place of Death: Darvel
Burial Place: Darvel Old Cemetery
Inscription:
Address: 10 East Edith Street, Darvel
Spouse: Janet (née Sorbie)
Marriage:
Father: John
Mother: Elizabeth (née Barr)
Thomas Young
Surname: Young
Forenames: Thomas
Rank: Private
Unit: 1st/4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service Number: 201016
Date of Birth: 27th March 1887
Place of Birth: Darvel
Date of Death: 8th November 1917
Age: 30 years old
Cause of Death: Died from wounds
Place of Death: Palestine
Burial Place: Gaza War Cemetery
Inscription:
Address: 75 East Main Street, Darvel
Spouse:
Marriage:
Father: Thomas
Mother: Janet Young (née McMeiken)
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Darvel & Area Regeneration Team is a registered Scottish Charity (SCIO) No. SC050479.