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An article illustrating the history of the WW2 Memorial situated in the Garden of Remembrance at Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
Citation preview
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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.
2
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. “
10
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
19
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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