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Ardrossan WW2 Garden of Remembrance

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An article illustrating the history of the WW2 Memorial situated in the Garden of Remembrance at Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.

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Page 1: Ardrossan WW2 Garden of Remembrance

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Ardrossan WW2 Garden of Remembrance Memorial ProjectArdrossan WW2 Garden of Remembrance Memorial Project

Welcome, my name is Danny Mathieson and I have undertaken this project in memory of three brothers, my Father’s Uncles, who lost their lives in the service of their country.

Having researched the circumstances of their deaths and having found it fairly time consuming, I decided to look into the circumstances surrounding the fate, or at least the whereabouts, of any burial or

commemoration other than Glasgow Street, of all 93 names on the memorial, in the hope that it might assist others who have family or friends on the Memorial.

On completion of this research I had found burials and / or commemorations in 17 countries, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burma ( now Myanmar ), England, France, Germany, Holland, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malta,

Pakistan, Scotland, Tunisia, USA and Wales.

Approximately half of the research was carried out examining microfilm copies of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald in the Local History Department of the Library in Princes Street, Ardrossan ( since

relocated to Irvine ) and the other half spent online examining the information available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

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While carrying out the research it became evident that other’s from the town had given their lives but were not acknowledged on the memorial and it would be an impossible task to determine how many but I have come across a couple of dozen at least while putting this project together. What criteria was used by the

Local Council / Ministry of Defence / War Office etc to determine their inclusion or exclusion I could not establish.

Collating data from these two sources, I have produced a table that will give the reader the information at a glance, and hopefully save them a bit of time. The table comprises the following headings:

1. Name of Soldier, Sailor, Airman

2. Are they on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website ?

3. Which service they were in ?

4. Date of Death / Age ?

5. Where they are commemorated or buried other than the Memorial in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.

6. Was there an Obituary in the A & S Herald and the date of the issue it appeared ?

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7. Was there an Acknowledgement in the A & S Herald and the date of the issue it appeared ?

8. Was there a Photograph in the A & S Herald and the date of the issue it appeared ?

9. Was there an Article or Feature in the A & S Herald and the date of issue it appeared ?

Anyone with a relative or friend with a “ yes “ in the second column should go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website at cwgc.org and they will be able to download a Certificate ( free of charge )

showing the deceased’s details along with a picture of the Cemetery or Memorial. Details are also available on the location of the Cemeteries / Memorials and directions on how to get there. Anyone with a date in

columns 6,7,8 or 9 should pay a visit to the North Ayrshire Council Local History Department at The Vennel, Irvine, examine the relevant Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald microfilm for the year containing the

information and print a copy of the Obituary, Acknowledgement, Photograph or Article ( currently 30p for an A4 copy ). There were instances where subsequently there were Annual Memorials in the Herald,

sometimes one or two and sometimes as many as double figures, I have not included them in this research but it is now possible to find them quickly utilising an index provided by North Ayrshire Local History

Department at their website, Ayrshire Roots. However, this will only tell you if the Memorial exists and the date of its insertion, you would still have to go to Irvine, check the microfilm and get your print.

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The Unveiling Ceremony.

Ardrossan’s Memorial to those who gave their lives for their country during WW2 is located within the Garden of Remembrance at Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. The Unveiling Ceremony took place on Sunday

1/6/1947 and the honour of unveiling it was given to my Great Grandfather, William McCubbin, due to the fact that he had three sons named on the Memorial. My three Great Uncles were David, James and John McCubbin and all three were in the Merchant Navy, as their Father had been prior to the War. My own

Father also served in the Navy within the Fleet Air Arm during WW2.

This is a verbatim record of how the article appeared in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald issue dated Friday 6/6/1947.

Bailie Manuel presided over the large gathering which assembled last last Sunday afternoon at the Garden of Reemembrance in Glasgow Street for the unveiling and dedication of a memorial plaque for those who fell

in the Second World War. The service was most impressive.

The praise was led by the combined choirs of the Churches in the town, accompanied by Kilmarnock Burgh Military Band, under the conductorship of Mr John W. Mathieson1. Paraphrases “ O God of Bethel “ and “ How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine, “ and Psalm, “ The Lord’s My Shepherd “ were sung. The Rev.

J.S. Clark, M.A., offered prayer, and Scripture was read by Rev. J.W. Synon, M.A.

1 No relation to the Author

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Bailie Manuel, Chairman, Paid public tribute to the various organisations in the town who combined to raise the Ardrossan Welcome Home and Commemoration Fund which enabled them to give each returning ex-

service man or woman a sum of over £6 and a like amount to the relatives of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. Ninety three of their lads did not return. The total of the fund ( £8224 ) was almost wholly disbursed. Some of it had been used to pay for the plaque. A little balance remaining would be handed over to the Town Council to make the Garden of Remembrance an even nicer place than it was at present. They

could be proud in Ardrossan of the men they had raised. The whole community had been with the committee in their work, and he thanked the committee for the devoted service it had rendered. He hoped they would be

able to regard the Garden of Remembrance as hallowed ground in the coming years.

The Roll of the Fallen was read by Rev Angus MacDonald, M.A. “ The Last Post “ and “ Reveille “ were played by a bugler from the Royal Scots Fusiliers. “ The Flowers O’ the Forest “ was played by the Burgh of

Ardrossan Pipe Band.

Provost Cunningham said: - It is unnecessary for me to dwell at length on the purpose for which we are gathered here today, and no mere words will alleviate the sense of loss which is felt by those whose dear

ones will not return.

“ They died that we might live,Their name will live forever. “

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We are again remembering them with pride during this service of dedication and may their relatives find peace in visiting this now sacred place. The committee deserve commendation for their choice of a

memorial, and here may I pay tribute to a gentleman, a former member of Ardrossan Town Council, the late ex-Bailie, Gilbert Lewis, who first conceived the idea of a Garden in Glasgow Street. In a Garden one finds

peace, contentment, rest, and a constant reminder of the promise of life. Although this Garden of Remembrance is situated in one of our busiest thoroughfares, it is surprising to find, on entering it and

sitting down, the calm and quiet atmosphere within its walled boundaries. Here one is close to nature in all its beautiful simplicity, and gradually the feeling of a Higher Presence beside one renews, strengthens and

gives one courage to face the trials and troubles of life. I close with these beautiful lines of the poet: -

“ The kiss of the sun for Pardon,The song of the birds for Mirth,

One is nearer God’s heart in a Garden,Than anywhere else on Earth. “

The unveiling of the memorial was performed by Mr Wm. McCubbin of Ardrossan, who had three sons ( the largest number from one family in the town ) killed in the recent war. Mr McCubbin had about 47 years

service at sea and served for over four years in the first World War.

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The plaque, which is of polished grey granite faces the central gate-way to the Garden, and contains the names of the 932 men of the town who made the supreme sacrifice. The words: “ Garden of Remembrance “ are fixed in black relief along the top, and underneath: “ In grateful memory of those who gave their lives in

the World War. “

The plaque was draped in the Union Jack and Mr McCubbin feelingly uncovered the memorial. The prayer of dedication was then offered by Rev D.A. Galbraith, B.D.

The chairman, Bailie Manuel, handed over the custody of the memorial to Provost Cunningham on behalf of the Town Council. The task of the Welcome Home Fund Committee, he said, had now been accomplished, and recognising that this had been an all-community effort – the Town Council representing it – the Council

would see that the memorial and its surroundings would be kept in good condition.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The following is an article from the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald dated 27/3/1942 relating to the fate of 8 Ardrossan and Saltcoats men whose tanker was torpedoed by a German Submarine off the coast of Bermuda

during WW2, one of whom was my Great Uncle, David McCubbin.

2 As I have stated in another part of the document there were others from the town who gave their lives but for one reason or other are not listed.

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Seven Local Men Missing

Torpedoed Tanker – Survivor’s Story

12 Days in open lifeboat

After having been adrift for 12 days in the Atlantic in an open lifeboat, from which he and eight companions were finally rescued by an American seaplane, Mr William McMillan, 13 Hill Street, Ardrossan, has just

returned home, apparently little the worse for his ordeal.

Mr McMillan was one of eight Ardrossan and Saltcoats members of the crew of a tanker which was twice torpedoed and then shelled by a submarine, and the other seven are missing. The missing Ardrossan and

Saltcoats men are: -

Patrick Shields, 18 Old Raise Road, Saltcoats,

David McCubbin, 53 Kilmahew Street, Ardrossan,

Roderick Brown, 49 Princes Street, Ardrossan,

Francis McQuade, 174 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan,

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William Brown, 14 Busbie Drive, Ardrossan,

William Docherty, 7 Stanley Road, Saltcoats,

Alex McMillan, 20 Parkend Road, Saltcoats.

Out of a total crew of 50, only the nine men picked up by the seaplane are known to have been saved. No news has been heard of the remaining 41.

Torpedoed Twice

The ship was torpedoed twice. Though very heavy seas were running, the Nazi submarine surfaced and began to shell heavily the already desperately damaged tanker. The wireless installation was carried away

and one of the vessel’s four lifeboats was destroyed.

“ In the confusion caused by the shelling and heavy seas, “ Mr McMillan stated, “ only six of us were able to get into one lifeboat. Forty one of the crew including the remaining seven Ardrossan and Saltcoats members, got into the other two lifeboats and three others launched a raft, but all of us got clear of the doomed vessel before the mountainous seas finally engulfed her. We were able to drag the three men on the raft – one of

whom was the third officer – into our lifeboat. “

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Boats separated by Storm

“ The officers, of course knew the exact location where the tanker had sunk and, as the destruction of the wireless had prevented any SOS being sent out, it was decided to lay a course for Bermuda, the nearest

landfall. For 15 hours the boats kept together until the storm increased in violence to such an extent that sea – anchors had to be dropped. When the visibility improved, all trace of the other two lifeboats had

disappeared. “

“ Gales and high seas continued without interruption for eleven days, “ said Mr McMillan. “ During the whole of that time we remained soaked to the skin as a result of seas constantly breaking over the boat. Had

it not been for the fact that the water was not particularly cold, I don’t suppose any of us could have survived. As it was, we were all suffering from exhaustion and saltwater burns. Luckily, until the twelfth

day, when a rationing scheme was unanimously adopted, we did not suffer from any real shortage either of food or water. Whenever the wind was favourable we pushed on sail in the hope of reaching Bermuda, but

currents carried us off our course and we had frequently to drop the sea anchor. “

Rescued by Seaplane

“ Then, on the twelfth day, the wind fell away entirely and further sailing became impossible. With food running low, we cursed what we thought was our wretched luck. Actually, it proved our salvation. Suddenly, in the far distance, we saw a huge seaplane sweep out of her course and head towards us. Had the high seas

of the previous eleven days been running, she could never have spotted us as she had done. “

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“ She circled round us three times and we imagined she was taking our bearings so that she could radio some vessel to come to our rescue. Instead to our almost incredulous amazement and delight we saw she was

letting down her floats and the pilot made a perfect landing not a hundred yards away. “

“ Weak as we were, we soon had the oars out and drew the lifeboat alongside the seaplane, which took the whole nine of us on board. “

100 Miles from Land

Subsequently, Mr McMillan explained, they learned that they had been even luckier than they had at first imagined. They were still 100 miles from Bermuda and the seaplane, which had been flying for ten hours,

was slightly of her regular patrol course, and was heading direct for Bermuda when the tiny speck tossing in the waves, which proved to be the lifeboat, was seen and the pilot swooped so dramatically to the rescue.

Mr McMillan and the other rescued men were taken to the King Edward V11 Memorial Hospital, in Hamilton, Bermuda, from which he and three others were discharged two days later, the remainder being detained for further treatment. From Bermuda he made his way to Halifax, Nova Scotia, recrossing the

Atlantic as a passenger.

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(1) Name (2) CWGC

(3) Service

(4) Date of Death /

Age

(5) Commemorated

or Buried elsewhere

(6) A &SH

Obituary

(7) A &SH

Ack’ment

(8) A &SH

Photograph

(9) A &SH Feature

William D Adam Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 29.6.1945 Not Found 29.6.1945 29.6.1945

William C Adams

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Charles Aitken Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

James Austin Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 12.6.1942 Not Found Not Found Not Found

George Ballantyne

Yes Gordon Highlanders

3.11.1944 aged 27

Imphal War Cemetery, India

24.11.1944 Not Found 24.11.1944 24.11.1944

Robert Barclay Yes Devon 12th

Airborne Bn24.3.1945 aged 20

Reichswald War Cemetery, Germany

13.4.1945 Not Found 13.4.1945 13.4.1945

Ralph AW Barr Yes Cameronian Scottish Rifles

25.5.1944 aged 24

Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma

16.6.1944 16.6.1944 Not Found Not Found

Patrick Bartley Yes Merchant Navy

22.10.1941 aged 23

Tower Hill Memorial London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

William Bell Yes Royal Air Force

24.10.1942 aged 24

Blonville sur mer Churchyard, France

Not Found Not Found 26.3.1943 26.3.1943

William Bell Yes Cameron Highlanders

7.3.1944 aged 26

Cassino War Cemetery, Italy

21.4.1944 Not Found 21.4.1944 21.4.1944

Francis Brady Yes Royal Air Force

17.11.1943 aged 21

Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel

10.12.1943 Not Found 10.12.1943 10.12.1943

Roderick Brown Yes Merchant 31.1.1942 Tower Hill Not Found Not Found Not Found 27.3.1942

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Navy aged 53 Memorial, LondonWilliam Brown Yes Merchant

Navy31.1.1942 aged 20

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found 27.3.1942

Harold Busbridge

Yes Royal Navy 18.3.1945 aged 36

Ardrossan Cemetery 23.3.1945 23.3.1945 Not Found Not Found

Richard Calder Yes Scots Guards

9.8.1944 aged 27

Bayeux War Cemetery, France

25.8.1944 1.9.1944 Not Found 18.8.1944

Charles Campbell

Yes Royal Navy 14.10.1939 aged 19

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

20.10.1939 20.10.1939 20.10.1939 20.10.1939

George Cook Yes Royal Artillery

5.5.1943 aged 23

Rangoon Memorial, Burma

21.5.1943 Not Found 21.5.1943 21.5.1943

Sidney K Coleman

Yes Royal Navy 14.6.1942 aged 27

Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent

19.2.1943 Not Found Not Found Not Found

James Cranston Yes Royal Scots Fusiliers

21.6.1943 aged 32

Kirkee War Cemetery, India

9 & 16.7.43 Not Found 13.8.1943 13.8.1943

David Crawford Yes Merchant Navy

9.3.1945 aged 21

Ardrossan Cemetery 23.3.1945 Not Found Not Found Not Found

John Cumming Yes Royal Air Force

30.7.1943 aged 30

Runnymede Memorial, Surrey

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

James Cunningham

Yes Merchant Navy

24.2.1941 aged 23

Liverpool Naval Memorial

28.3.1941 4.4.1941 28.3.1941 7.3.1941

John M Dodds Yes Merchant Navy

8.5.1941 aged 52

Tower Hill Memorial, London

5.12.1941 12.12.1941 12.12.1941 12.12.1941

John B Duncan Yes Royal Navy 14.6.1942 aged 21

Lee on Solent Memorial,

Not Found Not Found 26.6.1942 26.6.1942

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HampshireJohn Dunlop Not

FoundNot Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Richard E Eastabrook

Yes Royal Navy 24.11.1941 Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Not Found Not Found Not Found 19.12.1941

John E Evans Yes Merchant Navy

21.10.1939 aged 42

North Somercotes Cemetery,

Lincolnshire

Not Found 10.11.1939 3.11.1939 3.11.1939

Archibald J Fleming

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found 31.7.1942

William Gillespie

Yes Royal Army Service

Core

2.7.1943 aged 28

Tehran War Cemetery, Iran

9.7.1943 16.7.1943 9.7.1943 9.7.1943

Thomas Graham Yes Royal Navy 3.8.1944 aged 28

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

11 & 18.8.1944

25.8.1944 18.8.1944 18.8.1944

James Dodds Yes Merchant Navy

3.12.1942 aged 28

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found 16.7.1943 16.7.1943

John Harvey Yes Royal Navy 17.9.1939 aged 23

Plymouth Naval Memorial

Not Found 29.9.1939 22.9.1939 22.9.1939

Alexander Henderson

Yes Scots Guards

26.10.1943 aged 30

Minturno War Cemetery, Italy

19.11.1943 19.11.1943 19.11.1943 19.11.1943

William N Hughes

Yes Scots Guards

4.10.1942 aged 22

Ardrossan Cemetery 9.10.1942 Not Found 9.10.1942 9.10.1942

Hugh Johnstone Yes Royal Navy 23.2.1942 aged 23

Plymouth Naval Memorial

Not Found Not Found Not Found 24.4.1942

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Thomas Johnstone

Yes Cameron Highlanders

23.6.1944 aged 20

La Delivrande War Cemetery, France

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Karl M Jorgenson

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 3.1.1941 Not Found Not Found Not Found

Robert Kyle Not Found

Merchant Navy

17.2.1945 aged 37

Ardrossan Cemetery 23.2.1945 2.3.1945 Not Found Not Found

William Logue Yes Royal Army Medical

Core

25.4.1942 aged 21

Pembroke Military Cemetery, Malta

8.5.1942 22.5.1942 15.5.1942 15.5.1942

James Long Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 19.3.1943 Not Found Not Found Not Found

John Lynn Yes Merchant Navy

12.11.1940 aged 27

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Stephen McAteer

Yes Royal Air Force

6.9.1944 aged 34

Ardrossan Cemetery Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

William McAuliffe

Yes Merchant Navy

24.2.1941 aged 23

Liverpool Naval Memorial

28.3.1941 Not Found 28.3.1941 7.3.1941

Patrick McCann Yes Merchant Navy

19.12.1940 aged 17

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

David McCartney

Yes Royal Air Force

23.6.1944 aged 21

Maynamati War Cemetery,

Bangladesh

7.7.1944 14.7.1944 Not Found Not Found

Peter McCreadie Yes Merchant Navy

22.10.1942 aged 38

Tower Hill Memorial, London

29.1.1943 5.2.1943 Not Found Not Found

David Yes Merchant 31.1.1942 Tower Hill Not Found Not Found Not Found 27.3.1942

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McCubbin Navy aged 40 Memorial, LondonJames

McCubbinNot

FoundMerchant

NavyNot Found Not Found 27.9.1940 Not Found Not Found Not Found

John McCubbin Not Found

Merchant Navy

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Joseph McCulloch

Yes Royal Scots Fusiliers

24.2.1945 aged 26

Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Holland

9.3.1945 Not Found 9.3.1945 9.3.1945

David McGinn Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

William McGinn Yes Royal Navy 9.3.1942 aged 24

Lowestoft Naval Memorial

Not Found Not Found Not Found 20.3.1942

Joseph McIlhatton

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

John McKay Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Robert McKay Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 21.11.1941 Not Found Not Found Not Found

Robert McKay Yes Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

20.5.1942 Lee on Solent Memorial, Hampshire

29.5.1942 Not Found 29.5.1942 29.5.1942

Robert McKech(an)(nie)

Yes Yes 15.10.1944 aged 25

Forli War Cemetery, Italy

Not Found Not Found 16.3.1945 10.11.1944

William McLaughlan

Yes Black Watch

29.7.1944 aged 29

Florence War Cemetery, Italy

25.8.1944 Not Found 1.9.1944 1.9.1944

William Yes Royal Navy 1.3.1944 Largs Cemetery 10.3.1944 17.3.1944 17.3.1944 17.3.1944

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McLellan aged 25William H McMillan

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Neil McNicol Yes Royal Air Force

16.3.1945 aged 21

Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

John McPolin Yes Royal Air Force

16.10.1944 aged 22

Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan

27.10.1944 3.11.1944 27.10.1944 27.10.1944

Francis McQuade

Yes Merchant Navy

31.1.1942 aged 27

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found 27.3.1942

3 Gordon MacTavish

Yes Royal Air Force

Volunteer Reserve

4.2.1943 aged 21

Montfoort General Cemetery, Holland

Not Found Not Found 10.9.1943 10.9.1943

Albert Malcolm Yes Merchant Navy

22.2.1942 aged 18

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Robert Malcolm Yes Merchant Navy

11.6.1941 aged 55

Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff, Wales

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Charles Martin Yes Royal Air Force

8.12.1941 aged 20

Runnymede Memorial, Surrey

12.6.1942 Not Found 19.12.1941 19.12.1941

John G Mellor Yes Royal Air Force

28.8.1942 aged 20

Overijse Tombeek Churchyard,

Belgium

Not Found Not Found 27.11.1942 27.11.1942

Peter Monaghan Yes Highland Light

Infantry

21.1.1945 aged 27

Sittard War Cemetery, Holland

9.2.1945 Not Found 9.2.1945 9.2.1945

3 There are two Gordon MacTavish records on the CWGC and two referred to in the A & SH index. I have assumed the son to be the one on the Memorial as he was the first to give his life ( although he is referred to as Claud Gordon on the CWGC, he is stated as Gordon in the A & SH index ). Gordon the Father died on 16.11.1947 aged 58 and ( continued from previous page ) is buried in Ardrossan Cemetery, he died on Service with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve while attached to HMS Vernon. There is an Obituary dated 21/11/1947 and an Acknowledgement dated 28/11/1947 for the Father.

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Archibald Morgan

Yes Merchant Navy

24.2.1941 aged 23

Liverpool Naval Memorial

Not Found 4.4.1941 28.3.1941 7.3.1941

Samuel Morrison

Yes Royal Air Force

30.3.1944 aged 24

Ardrossan Cemetery 7.4.1944 7.4.1944 7.4.1944 7.4.1944

John Morton Yes Merchant Navy

10.9.1941 aged 46

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Robert S Murchie

Yes Royal Navy 3.11.1940 aged 41

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

22.11.1940 Not Found 6.12.1940 6.12.1940

Patrick Murray Yes Royal Scots Fusiliers

11.7.1943 aged 26

Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily

6.8.1943 Not Found 6.8.1943 30.7.1943 & 6.8.1940

William Norris Yes Royal Navy 18.2.1940 aged 20

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Not Found 1.3.1940 23.2.1940 23.2.1940

Harry Northcote Yes Merchant Navy

31.3.1942 aged 33

Tower Hill Memorial, London

6 & 19.3.1943

19.3.1943 Not Found Not Found

David Norwood Yes Merchant Navy

19.12.1941 aged 44

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Joseph Otty Yes Royal Artillery

11.4.1943 aged 27

Medjez El Bab Memorial, Tunisia

16.6.1944 Not Found Not Found Not Found

Alexander M Phillips

Yes Merchant Navy

19.12.1940 aged 35

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Mark Ramsay Yes Merchant Navy

14.12.1942 aged 51

Tower Hill Memorial, London

12.2.1943 Not Found Not Found 19.2.1943

Richard Reid Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 26.6.1942 Not Found Not Found Not Found

John Shearer Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 4.10.1940 Not Found 15.8.1941 15.8.1941

Robert W Shearer

Yes Royal Air Force

4.8.1941 aged 20

Pensacola ( Barrancas ),

Cemetery, Florida,

15.8.1941 22.8.1941 15.8.1941 15.8.1941

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USAMatthew Sim Not

FoundNot Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

James Stewart Yes Merchant Navy

14.12.1942 aged 27

Tower Hill Memorial, London

22.1.1943 Not Found 22.1.1943 22.1.1943

James Summers Yes Merchant Navy

15.11.1942 aged 19

Liverpool Naval Memorial

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Alexander Thomson

Not Found

Not Found Not Found Not Found 23.11.1945 Not Found 23.11.1945 23.11.1945

William J Tomelty

Yes Argyll & Sutherland

Highlanders

18.4.1945 aged 24

Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy

4.5.1945 4.5.1945 4.5.1945 4.5.1945

Joseph Townsley Yes Merchant Navy

19.12.1941 aged 19

Tower Hill Memorial, London

Not Found Not Found Not Found Not Found

Kenneth S Watson

Yes Scots Guards

6.7.1944 aged 32

Foiano Della Chiana War Cemetery, Italy

28.7.1944 Not Found Not Found Not Found

John Weatherston(e)

Yes Gordon Highlanders

14.4.1943 aged 33

Madras War Cemetery, India

23/30.4.1943 30.4.1943 Not Found Not Found

Cornelius Welsh Yes Merchant Navy

11.7.1943 aged 18

Tower Hill Memorial, London

6.8.1943 13.8.1943 3.9.1943 3.9.1943

John B Yuille Yes Royal Navy 22.7.1941 aged 26

Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent

28.11.1941 Not Found 28.11.1941 28.11.1941

They shall grow not old,

As we that are left grow old,

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Age shall not weary them,

Nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning,

We shall remember them.

Postscript

Although it is clear what happened to David McCubbin as you have just read ( died on 31.1.1942 aged 40 ( MV San Arcadio and commemorated at Tower Hill- London ), it is not so

clear as to the fate of his brothers James and John. James died on 24.9.1940 aged 43 at Glenafton Sanitorium, New Cumnock of TB, thought to have been brought on by an accident at sea on Navy Service. He is thought to be buried in Ardrossan Cemetery although there is

no headstone. It was said that John was buried in Gibralter following injuries received during

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his War Service also in the Navy however The Gibralter Cemeteries / Memorials online lists do not substantiate this.

Anyone with relations or friends on the memorial requiring assistance to find out more need only email me at [email protected] and I will be only too glad to help at no

cost to themselves.

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