JOHN WALKER
11th Battalion
ROYAL SCOTS
Rank Private
Service number 14644
Date of death 10/09/1915
Place of birth Linlithgow
Age
Resided Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Enlisted Edinburgh
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: H. 17.
Cemetery: CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
Mrs. Walker, nee Miss Strang, West Main Street, Armadale, received official information that her husband Drummer John Walker, 11th Royal Scots, had been killed in France. John enlisted in early 1915, and he went to France on the 11th May 1915.
The News was conveyed in a letter from Lieut Col RC Dundas who wrote the following:
Dear Madam,
It is with feelings of the greatest regret that I write to inform you that your husband, Drummer John Walker, B Company 11th Royal Scots, was killed last night (11th September), when in front of the trenches on listening post by the accidental explosion of a bomb he was carrying. Death was mercifully instantaneous.
He was buried this morning by the Church of Scotland Minister in the cemetery adjoining the village church, near where he died. He was a good man, and I regret his loss deeply.
Assuring you my deepest sympathy in your sad loss.
WILLIAM WALKER
2nd Battalion
CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Rank Private
Service number 20916
Date of death 31/07/1917
Place of birth Torphichen
Age 22
Resided
Enlisted Edinburgh
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 22.
Cemetery: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Son of Mrs. Lily Whitelaw Walker, of Gartliston Farm, Coatbridge.
William went to France with the 9th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) on the 3rd October 1915.
William Walker appears on The United Collieries Limited, active service roll 1914-19, this shows him as being employed at Westrigg Colliery and being killed in action.
Williams father Thomas was for a while Colliery Clerk at Blackridge.
William was the grandson of Agnes Walker Craigs Farm Blackridge.
WILLIAM WALLACE
13th Battalion
ROYAL SCOTS
Rank Private
Service number 23428
Date of death 26/06/1916
Place of birth Bo ness, Linlithgowshire
Age 32
Resided Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Enlisted Bathgate, Linlithgowshire
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. B. 41.
Cemetery: VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY
Husband of Mrs. Wallace, East Main Street, Armadale.
Mrs. Wallace received the following telegram:
Much regret to inform you that report received from France states your husband, William Wallace (13th Royal Scots), died of wounds.
William Wallace joined the 13th Royal Scots in January 1915, but after several months service he received his Discharge on medical grounds. Not daunted, he again joined the Royal Scots in June 1915, this time the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. After further training he was transferred to his first Battalion the 13th, and with this Battalion he was sent to France arriving 4th October 1915. William was at the front for nine months, prior to his death.
Prior to enlisting William worked as a miner, he moved to Blackridge from Bo ness in 1902, and shortly afterwards moved to Armadale. When William enlisted the second time he gave his place of residence as Polmont, Stirlingshire, this may be because he had already enlisted previously as William Wallace from Armadale.
William leaves a widow and four Children.
William was the brother of Mrs. French who resided at Bridgehouse, Torphichen.
ERNEST WATSON
2nd Battalion
SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
Rank Piper
Service number 8038
Date of death 07/11/1914
Place of birth Motherwell
Age
Resided Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Enlisted Glasgow
Medal Entitlement 1914 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 9.
Cemetery: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Husband of Kate Watson, Northrigg, Armadale.
Son of Mrs Watson, Northrigg, Armadale.
Ernest a native of Motherwell had 12 years service with his battalion, and who was among the first of the British troops sent to France. Pte Watson for the last nine years was a Piper with his Regiment at Fort George, Inverness.
He leaves a wife and three children. His wife Kate who resides with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. McLeish Northrigg.
HUGH WHITE
4th Battalion
KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS
Rank Private
Service number 201961
Date of death 13/11/1917
Place of birth Woodend Linlithgow
Age 35
Resided Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Enlisted Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Medal Entitlement War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death Egypt
Grave/Memorial Reference: Lothian. O. 41.
Cemetery: RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
Son of Hugh and Catherine P White, 2 Holmes Place, North Street Armadale.
Hugh was called to the colours in April 1916 and after one months training he was sent on active service to the Palestine front, where he was in time to take part in the advance towards Jerusalem, and must have fallen in the vicinity of the Holy City.
In private life he followed the vocation of a baker with the Armadale Co-operative society.
He was a most enthusiastic member of Hope Bridge Castle Lodge of Free Masons, and after filling most of the offices he became Master of the Lodge, a position he held with marked distinction. When he became Past Master his interest in the Lodge never flagged, and up to the last his services were often in request. He was also a prominent member of the Armadale Chapter of the Eastern Star, and had the distinguished honour of being the first Worthy Patron of the Chapter.
At the meeting of the brethren of Lodge Hope Bridge Castle, Armadale, with Brother Paterson, RWM, made sympathetic reference to the passing of Brother White. He spoke of the great work he had rendered to his mother Lodge, and how he would be keenly missed. It was agreed to minute the Lodges sympathy with Mrs. White, and record the members appreciation of Brother Whites great services to Free Masonry. It was further agreed that an excerpt from the minutes be sent to brother whites sorrowing mother.
Hughs brother John also served in the War, he served with the Royal Field Artillery, and he was discharged after being wounded and gassed and no longer fit for the service.
MARTIN WILLIAMS
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
Rank Private
Service number 34888
Date of death 19/01/1917
Place of birth
Age 26
Resided
Enlisted
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death Home
Grave/Memorial Reference:
Cemetery:
Martin first served in British Expeditionary Force in France 19th November 1914 to 4th December 1914, then he was drafted to serve with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
William Martin late of Armadale died in Gateside Hospital Greenock.
He served in France and in Alexandria on a Hospital ship.
In August 1916 he was found to be affected by tuberculosis and discharged from the Army.
JOHN GORDON WILLIAMSON
D Battery
77th Brigade
Royal Field Artillery
Rank Acting Bombardier
Service number 22185
Date of death 30/11/1917
Place of birth Portobello, Mid Lothian
Age 31
Resided Armadale / Airdrie
Enlisted Coatdyke
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death Home
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 1.
Cemetery: HERMIES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY
Husband of Margaret Williamson, of 60, Drumbathie Rd., Airdrie.
John was a native of Armadale, prior to enlisting in September 1914 he was employed as Foreman with Mr. Frew brick manufacturer Airdrie.
John was stationed in Ireland until February 1915 when he was drafted to France. John leaves a widow and four children. His brother David was serving in Salonica at the time of Johns death.
Mrs. Williamson received to letters, one from John Padre and the other one from one of his comrades.
The comrade in his letter says
Just a few lines from the men of this Battery, of which your husband was an old hand. He met his death in a brave manner. Death was instantaneous. We offer you and your children our sincere sympathy.
HENRY CROSS WILSON
8th Battalion
BLACK WATCH
Rank Corporal
Service number S/3428
Date of death 28/07/1916
Place of birth Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Age 26
Resided Prestonpans
Enlisted Prestonpans
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death Home
Grave/Memorial Reference: Alternative Commemoration - buried in Cork Military Cemetery.
Spec. Memorial.
Cemetery: GRANGEGORMAN (CORK) MEMORIAL HEADSTONES
Son of Jane Thomson, 126 High Street Prestonpans
Henry arrived the 10th May 1915 in France, and he later served in Ireland during the Trouble in 1916.
JOHN DAVID WILSON
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
Attached
10th Battalion
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Rank Lieutenant
Service number
Date of death 09/03/1916
Place of birth Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Age 30
Resided Hamilton
Enlisted
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. E. 19.
Cemetery: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ
Son of the late Provost Adam Wilson, Armadale and Mrs. Wilson of Ochilview Terrace, Armadale
Nephew of Mrs. Scott Gibson, Dreadnought Hotel Bathgate.
27th August 1915 John arrived in France, John was home at Armadale in January 1916, where he celebrated his 30th birthday.
John was a graduate of Edinburgh University. Prior to the outbreak of war he was in partnership with Dr Steele, Hamilton.
Commanding Officer of the 10th Duke of Wellingtons states that:
At 0930 on March 9th 1916 a message was received that several men were wounded in a central trench. Captain Wilson at once volunteered to go to their assistance, although it was necessary to cross absolutely open ground swept by the fire of hostile trenches. He reached the wounded men, bandaged up those who most required it, and he was on his way back to shelter when he was fired upon by the Germans from their front line trench, and a bullet struck him just above the heart. He died in a few minutes.
The Colonel adds that Captain Wilson, by his energy and devotion to duty, had earned the appreciation of every man in the Battalion, and the colonel only ten days before had the pleasure of recommending him for the Military Cross.
The following tribute was paid by Captain Wilson from the pen of a professional colleague:
It is now four days since official news reached Hamilton that Dr John Wilson had been killed at the front. To his professional colleagues and to those of his friends who knew of the post of danger at which he has made the supreme sacrifice of his life, the news has brought grief and horror, sorrow for the loss of a good brave man, and horror that the conditions of modern warfare have exacted the life of one who entered the arena as a healer amongst those that slay.
To most of his clientele, his death has brought a sense of loss irreparable and consternation that such a catastrophe was possible. Evidently they were not aware that when a regiment occupies the firing line, the Regimental surgeon goes in with it and remains their till it leaves the trenches. I will refrain from public comment on this arrangement. The man himself I have known for several years, and though we were both too much occupied with professional work to have much leisure for intercourse other than professional, one could not but form a very high opinion of him. Genial and obliging in disposition, intelligent and industrious in the prosecution of his work, transparently honest and straight in all his relations with others, he was a man whom it was good to know. It is one of the senseless cruelties of war that an individual with these characteristics should perish in the noble effort to alleviate the sufferings of his brave fellows. His death is regretted alike by friends, colleagues and patients and not least by a professional brother.
ROBERT WILSON
ROYAL SCOTS
Rank Private
Service number 3215
Date of death 28/06/1915
Place of birth
Age 32
Resided Edinburgh
Enlisted Edinburgh
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death Gallipoli
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 26 to 30.
Cemetery: HELLES MEMORIAL
Son of John and Cristina Wilson, of 5, High St., Portobello, Edinburgh; husband of Catherine Wilson, of 77, Easterhill St., Tollcross, Glasgow.
Mrs. Wilson, Roberts mother was residing Etna cottages Armadale with her daughter Mrs. Imerie whose husband Hugh was also in the fighting line.
24th May 1915 Robert landed at Gallipoli.
Robert also had the nick name Portobello Bob as he had resided there for a couple of years after leaving Armadale.
HENRY WYLIE
7th Battalion
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
Rank Private
Service number 2547
Date of death 12/07/1915
Place of Birth St Giles, Edinburgh
Age 25
Resided Bonnybridge
Enlisted Glasgow
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 173 to 177.
Cemetery: HELLES MEMORIAL
Son of Mr. Archibald Wylie East Main Street, Armadale.
Henry landed at the Dardanelles on the 2nd July 1915, Prior to going to this Henry was for a time in Egypt, and had some time there under the Pyramids.
The last letter received from Henry was dated the 11th July 1915 in which he notified that he was returning to the trenches that same Afternoon. He also notified that he had already had a spell at trench warfare. He proceeds:
We are having an exciting time now and again as the shells are flying around day and night. The only things one has to fear are stray bullets. Our lot were very lucky when landing here. Indeed I believe we were the only Battalion to land without being shelled.
Our Battalion has had a few killed and wounded, but nothing in comparison to what the Turks have had. It is reported that their casualties are terrific. I dont think the Turks would hold out long if it were not for the German Officers who force them on at every turn. Any Turks we have taken prisoner are happy, they get food and are safe.
Before enlisting Henry was a brick maker, and in following his vocation had in turn resided Armadale, Addiewell and Bonnybridge.
JOHN WYLIE
11th Battalion
ROYAL SCOTS
Rank Sergeant
Service number 16322
Date of death 24/03/1918
Place of birth Newington, Edinburgh
Age
Resided Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Enlisted Bathgate, Linlithgowshire
Medal Entitlement War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. F. 30.
Cemetery: PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Husband of Mrs Wylie East Main Street, Armadale.
At the end of March 1918 Mrs Wylie received a letter from a chum of her husbands stating that he was Missing.
John Wylie appears on The United Collieries Limited, active service roll 1914-19, this shows him as being employed at Bathville Colliery and being killed in action.
JOSEPH YOUNG
2nd Battalion
SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
Attached.
179th Tunnelling Company
ROYAL ENGINEERS
Rank Acting Corporal
Service number S/2506
Date of death 24/09/1915
Place of birth Armadale, Linlithgowshire
Age
Resided Blackridge
Enlisted Dunfermline
Medal Entitlement 1915 Star, War Medal & Victory Medal
Theatre of death F & F
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 6
Cemetery: ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Husband of Mrs Young Blackridge.
Joseph arrived in France with the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders on the 24th March 1915.
Lance Corporal Joseph Young, Seaforth Highlanders, whose mother resides in Blackridge, writing under the date 8th May, from the fighting line, has the following:-
I am quite well. We have had a very hot time lately. In the last engagement we were through we had about 700 casualties in our regiment. The Germans used poisonous gas, and we were forced to retire. In the retirement we lost a good many. Immediately the fumes cleared we rushed back on our tracks, and had sweet revenge. The Germans were in pack formation, and we mowed them down as a farmer mows standing corn. We took the position, and are holding on to it. Fighting goes on daily, the Germans are trying to force a passage through Calais via the Yser Canal. We put a stop to their little game, and more, we drove them back three miles. However it was a stiff job. After the Seaforths big fight about 200 came scathe less out of the engagements, some 900 being wounded or killed. We are lying at the moment in the reserve trench.
Mrs. Young received the following letter from Sergeant Bartlett:
I take the liberty of writing to you offering my deepest sympathy in your bereavement. I had been a chum of your husbands for a short while, and as his section Sergeant, took charge of his personal effects, which I have forwarded to base. His burial took place the day following his death. The ceremony was performed by a Presbyterian minister, amongst a number a number of his chums, who knowing I would be writing to you, asked me to tender their sympathy.
In his last letter home Joseph stated that he expected to be home beside his wife and 7 weans in about three weeks and he asked his wife to make arrangements for a photograph of their family.
Joseph was a reservist he had served 21 years with the Seaforth Highlanders, he was called to the colours when war broke out.