The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 1:42 pm Post subject:

ROBERT G.E. STEWART
Served as:
Robert Leslie – age 24 – Private (853) 1/8th Battalion. Royal Scots.
In 1901 Robert Stewart, aged 9, was living as the nephew of James and Elizabeth Leslie in Edinburgh. In 1911 they were at Brown's Place, Prestonkirk with Robert Leslie, aged 19, as the adopted son of James and Elizabeth. He was employed in a Market Garden. Robert was a member of the Territorial 8th Royal Scots and he was mobilised in August 1914, landing with his battalion at Le Havre in November 1914.
Born 1891 in East Linton, Prestonkirk as Robert Gibson Leslie Stewart. Son of the late Mary (Gibson) Stewart (died 1892 in Prestonkirk) and of Alexander Robertson Stewart. His uncle and aunt, James and Elizabeth Leslie, were named as his legateees.
Missing in Action on 5 January 1915 and named on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

JOHN STORIE
John Storie – age 59 – Captain, Army Veterinary Corps
John had been a Veterinary Surgeon in East Linton, Prestonkirk for many years and he was appointed a Veterinary-Lieutenant in the Lothians & Berwickshire Yeomanry in October 1901. He was appointed to the AVC in July 1910 and was attached to the Lothians and Borders Horse, being promoted to Captain in December 1914. He was transferred to the Royal Scots Greys Depot at Dunbar Castle in mid-1915 but he contracted pleurisy and died at his home.
Born 1856 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late John Storie (died 1889) and Helen Aitken (Knox) Storie (died 1914) Husband of Catherine Nancy (Clapperton) Storie of the Manor House, East Linton who he married in 1883 in Edinburgh.
Died on Active Service on 4 October 1915 and buried in Prestonkirk Parish Churchyard. (CWG)

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 1:49 pm Post subject:

JAMES A. TAIT
James Ainslie Tait – age 33 – Private (8064) 1st Battalion. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
James landed with his battalion at Le Havre in August 1914.
Born 1882 in Prestonkirk. Son of John and Margaret (Ainsley) Tait of Brown's Place, East Linton, Prestonkirk.
Missing in Action on 9 May 1915 and named on the Le Touret Memorial, France.

and thought to be his brother - The brothers are listed on the Prestonkirk Church Roll of Honour in the Black Watch section and of Brown's Place.

JOHN A. TAIT
Not listed by CWGC:
John Tait – age ?? - Private (1419) 1st (Battalion) Black Watch
John enlisted in November 1904 and went out to India in 1909. He landed with his battalion at Le Havre in August 1914 but he was badly wounded and evacuate home in November 1914. He was discharged from the army at the end of his term of service and he was and awarded a Silver War Badge (271027) in November 1917, age 32. John's disability was still being reviewed in 1920. (Source: Pension record)
Born 1886 in Prestonkirk. Son of John and Margaret (Ainsley) Tait of Brown's Place, East Linton.
I cannot trace his death.

Another possibility might be:
John Guthrie Tait – age 37 – Private (S/17680) 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
John was employed in Leith when he enlisted. He was a company stretcher bearer and was killed while trying to rescue a wounded comrade. He was buried in the 51st Division Cemetery at Flesquieres and was re-interred in 1930.
Born 1881 in Whitekirk, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian. Son of the late Isabella (Bruce) Tait (died 1911 in Prestonkirk) and of the late John Veitch Guthrie Tait of New Buildings, East Linton (died July 1917). Husband of Margaret (Speed) Tait of 136 Duke Street, Leith, Edinburgh who he married in 1902 in Edinburgh.
Killed in Action on 20 November 1917 and buried in Orival Wood Cemetery, Flesquieres, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 1:55 pm Post subject:

WILLIAM THOMSON
William Thomson – age 27 – Private (38922) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
Born 1890 in Whitekirk, Haddingtonshire/East Lothian. Son of Alexander and Rebecca (Neillings) Thomson. Husband of Mary Allan (Bain) Thomson of Over Hailles, Prestonkirk who he married in 1911 in Prestonkirk. Mary died in 1919 and her father Andrew Bain became guardian to their children.
Missing in Action on 10 October 1917 and named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

ALEX. K. WALKER
Alexander Kinnaird Walker – age 41 – Corporal (15064) 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royal's)
Alexander had served his apprenticeship as a tailor with his father in Mill Wynd, Prestonkirk and in 1911 he was living with his own family at 33 King's Road, Chelsea where he was a livery tailor.
Born 1877 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late Barbara (Kinnaird) Walker (died 1904) and of Peter Walker of Prestonkirk. Husband of Elizabeth Ann (Oliver) Walker who he married in 1908 in Chelsea.
Killed in Action on 9 October 1918 and buried in Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

JAMES WALKER
James Walker – age 27 – Private (251428) 12th Battalion, Royal Scots.
In 1911, aged 19, James was a chauffeur living with his uncle and aunt Andrew and Elizabeth (Leckie) Walker at Main Street, East Linton. He was a postman living at High Street, East Linton when he enlisted as Private (1839) in the 3/8th Royal Scots in November 1915 and he was posted to the 5th Royal Scots in France in November 1916. He contracted dysentery and was evacuated to hospitals in Liverpool in February 1917. After he had recovered he returned to France and joined the 12th Royal Scots in November 1917.
Born 1891 in East Linton, Prestonkirk. Son of Agnes Johnston (Walker) Anderson of Auldhame, North Berwick. She married John Punton Anderson in 1895 in Prestonkirk.
James had lived with Andrew and Elizabeth since infancy.
Died of Wounds on 21 June 1918 and buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:08 pm Post subject:

GIDEON WATT
Gideon Watt ï¿½ age 20 ï¿½ Private (325173) 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots.
Gideon was a student living at Mill Brae Head, East Linton, Prestonkirk when he enlisted as Private (965) in the Territorial 8th Royal Scots in December 1913. He was mobilised in August 1914 and landed with the 1/8th Battalion at Le Havre in November but he suffered frostbite and was evacuated to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley in Hampshire in January 1915. Gideon returned to his battalion in August 1915.
Born 1897 in East Linton, Prestonkirk as Gideon Perrie Watt. Son of the late Susan (Paxton) Watt (died 1917) and of Alexander Watt of Millbrae Head, East Linton.
Missing in Action on 22 March 1918 and named on the Arras Memorial, France.

GEORGE WHITE
George White ï¿½ age 19 ï¿½ Private (34346) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
In 1911 George was a farm labourer living with his family at Whitekirk Farm, East Lothian.
Born 1897 in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. Son of George and Sarah (Hardie) White of Bielgrange, East Linton and of Amisfield Mains, Haddington.
Killed in Action on 9 April 1917 and buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Haddington War Memorial.

and his brother

WILLIAM H. WHITE
William White ï¿½ age 22 ï¿½ Gunner (104633) ï¿½Cï¿½ Battery, 108th Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
In 1911 William was a carter living with his family at Whitekirk Farm, East Lothian.
Born 1894 in Roseneath, Dunbartonshire. Son of George and Sarah (Hardie) White of Bielgrange, East Linton and of Amisfield Mains, Haddington.
Died of Wounds on 29 July 1917 and buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Also named on the Haddington War Memorial.

JOHN WILSON
John Wilson ï¿½ age 23 ï¿½ Private (43708) 16th Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) Royal Scots.
John was living at Langside, Prestonkirk when he enlisted as Private (1848) in the 3/8th Royal Scots in November 1915. He was posted to the 1/8th Battalion in France in July 1916 and was transferred to the 16th in October.
Born 1894 in Dunbar, East Lothian. Son of Archibald and Ann McLeod (Wood) Wilson.
Died of Wounds on 13 April 1917 and buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, France.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:13 pm Post subject:

1939 – 1945

THOMAS W. BRIGGS
Thomas Watt Briggs – age 29 – Flying Officer (55018) 57 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Thomas was commissioned from Flight Sergeant (523059) in February 1943 and he was was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber which had taken off from RAF East Kirby in Lincolnshire for a raid on Berlin. The aircraft crashed at Blokzijl in the Netherlands.
Born 1914 in Innerwick, East Lothian.Son of Hugh and Isabella (Marr) Briggs. Husband of Christina Shiels Hepburn (Hogg or Kerr) Briggs of East Linton who he married in 1936 in Prestonkirk.
Killed in Action on 15 February 1944 and buried in Blokzijl General Cemetery, Netherlands.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

THOMAS A. BROWN
Thomas Archibald Brown – age 26 – Private (3054511) 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots.
The 2nd Royal Scots had been in Hong Kong since January1938. Thomas was killed at the fall of Hong Kong to the Japanese.
Born 1915 in Spott, East Lothian. Son of the late James Brown of Peebles (died 1939) and of Cecilia Aitken (Wilson) Brown.
Missing in Action on 29 December 1941 and named on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong, China.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

ANDREW COMBE
Andrew Combe – age 36 – Lance Corporal (3051830) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots.
Andrew was a farm servant when he married in July 1939. At the start of war the 1st Battalion, stationed in Aldershot, embarked for France as part of The British Expeditionary Force (BEF). In May 1940 they fought throughout the retreat which, for most of the BEF, was to end with evacuation from Dunkirk. However, for the 1st Battalion, forming part of a perimeter defence for the beaches, and after a desperate defence across the Bethune-Merville road, at Le Paradis, where they suffered further heavy losses, the remnants were taken prisoner and very few escaped home.
Born 1904 in Dunbar, East Lothian. Son of Andrew and Mary Jane Combe of Dunbar. Husband of Maria Walker Riding (Flockhart) Combe of East Linton who he married in 1939 in Tranent, East Lothian.
Killed in Action between 26 and 27 May 1940 and buried in Le Paradis War Cemetery, Lestrem, France.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:18 pm Post subject:

WILLIAM CRAIG
William Craig – age 31 – Driver (2147178) Royal Engineers.
William was an ambulance driver in East Linton when he married in November 1940. He was onboard a converted Lancaster bomber of 550 Squadron from RAF Bari in Italy which was being used to transport Army personnel from Italy. The aircraft was lost without a trace.
Born 1914 in East Linton, Prestonkirk. Son of the late William Craig and of Margaret (Webster) Craig of 9 The Square, East Linton. Husband of Martha Edith (Fox) Craig who he married in 1940 in Prestonkirk.
Missing on Service on 29 September 1945 and named on the Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Surrey.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

ROBERT S. FAICHEN
Robert Sharp Faichen – age 62 – Civilian.
During a daylight raid by a German bomber a group of railway workers were machine-gunned near Innerwick Railway Station. Several men were wounded and Robert was killed.
Born 1879 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late William Faichen (died 1906) and of the late Janet (Punton) Faichen (died 1934) of East Linton. Husband of Minto Wilson (Wemyss) Faichen of Lauder Place, East Linton who he married in 1907 in Bedrule, Roxburghshire.
Killed by Enemy Action on 17 August 1941 and buried in Prestonkirk Churchyard.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

JOHN H. LOGAN
John Hunter Logan – age 25 – Private (2885202) Royal Army Medical Corps.
John was lost as Singapore fell to the Japanese.
Born 1916 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late John Logan (died 1918) and Margaret (Hunter) Logan. Husband of Harriet Mary (Gullen) Logan of Craigie, Perth who he married in 1939 in Edinburgh.
Missing in Action between 14 and 15 February 1942 and named on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.
His father, John Logan, Private (38442) 12th Battalion, Royal Scots, died in October 1918 and is named on the WW1 panel of the memorial.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:30 pm Post subject:

ALEXANDER W. MANSON
Possibly:
Alexander Wilson Manson – age 22 – Flight Lieutenant (122156) 402 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Alexander was commissioned from Sergeant (1553599) in March 1942 and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in March 1944. In July 1944 402 Squadron were flying Spitfires from RAF Merston in West Sussex as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in support of the ground troops in Normandy. His aircraft was hit by ground-fire during an attack on vehicles and he crashed south-east of Alencon.
Born 1922 in Uphall,West Lothian. Son of ?
Killed in Action on 17 July 1944 and buried in Juvigny-Sur-Orne Churchyard, France.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

GEORGE M. MUNRO
George Muirhead Munro – age 20 – Able Seaman (C/JX 379796) H.M.S. Cassandra, Royal Navy.
The destroyer “Cassandra” was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine U-365, when she searched for the U-boats north of Varde, Norway to prevent an attack on a convoy sailing from Kola Inlet in northern Russia. The whole bow section was blown off and the frigate “Bahamas” took her in tow stern first. Later the tow was passed to a Soviet tug, which towed her back to Kola Inlet.
Born 1924 in Paisley. Son of Hugh John Munro and Margaret (Killoran) Munro, of Orchardfield, East Linton.
Killed in Action/Lost at Sea on 11 December 1944 and named on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

PETER McFARLANE
Peter MacFarlane – age 28 – Lance Corporal (3194351) 7th (Airborne) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
On the morning of 17 September 1944 the first of over 50 Horsa Gliders carrying troops of the 7th (Airborne) Battalion, KOSB, 1st Airlanding Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, took off from RAF Down Apney in Gloucestershire and from the nearby RAF Blakehill Farm in Wiltshire.
In the early afternoon they began to put down in their designated Landing Zone at Arnhem in the Netherlands. Their task was to clear any enemy from the area and then to defend the Drop Zones for 4 Parachute Brigade, due to arrive the following day. Peter was serving in Headquarters Company, Motor Transport Platoon when he was killed.
Born 1916 in Edinburgh. Son of Donald and Jeannie MacFarlane, of East Linton.
Killed in Action on 18 September 1944 and buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:34 pm Post subject:

GEORGE A. MCLENNAN
George Alastair McLennan, Military Cross – age 22 – Captain (201742) 77 Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers.
George was educated at the Edinburgh Academy until 1940 and was commissioned in August 1941. On D-Day 6 June he landed with his Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers (AVRE), a converted Churchill tank armed with a 290mm mortar and a machine gun. He moved towards Lion sur Mer, where 41 Royal Marine Commando was being held up in its assault on a German strongpoint. His tank silenced snipers and mortar positions, but was defenceless against a German anti-tank gun, which knocked out his and two other tanks. The citation for his Military Cross described his ‘outstanding bravery and devotion to duty knowing that he stood little chance against the anti-tank guns’.
Born 1921 in Plymouth, Devon. Son of retired Brigadier Kenneth Alexander Taylor McLennan and Margaret Jean (Smith) McLennan of Smeaton Garden Cottage, East Linton.
Killed in Action on 6 June 1944 and buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton and on the Edinburgh Academy memorial and Roll of Honour.

and his brother

KENNETH L. MCLENNAN
Kenneth Leslie McLennan – age 21 – Captain (AI/1166) 2nd Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment
Kenneth was educated at the Edinburgh Academy until 1938 and trained at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst before being commissioned in the Indian Army in July 1939. His battalion fought the Japanese down the Malayan peninsula throughout late 1941. They were forced to surrender at the fall of Singapore in February 1942.
Born 1920 in Plymouth, Devon. Son of retired Brigadier Kenneth Alexander Taylor McLennan and Margaret Jean (Smith) McLennan of Smeaton Garden Cottage, East Linton.
Missing in Action on 13 December 1941 and named on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton and on the Edinburgh Academy memorial and Roll of Honour.

Their father as Lieutenant Kenneth Alexander Taylor McLennan, 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, was awarded a Military Cross in 1918 “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. When sent forward with his platoon to clear a wood he accomplished his task brilliantly, capturing over thirty prisoners and a number of machine guns. In a later attack his bold and determined action was largely responsible for the capture of a village. Though severely wounded, he remained at duty until the final objective had been taken.”

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 2:38 pm Post subject:

DAVID A. POLSON
David Alexander Polson – age 33 – Private (3190990) 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
The Polson family had come to East Linton by November 1914 when David's father enlisted in the Army Service Corps. The 6th DWR landed at Normandy on 12 June 1944 and Davis was killed five days later.
Born 1910 in Govan, Glasgow. Son of Donald Polson and Ann Multrie (Hutton) Polson of Walker Terrace, East Linton, Pretonkirk.
Killed in Action on 17 June 1944 and buried in Hottot-Les-Bagues War Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

TAYLOR SCAMBLER
Taylor Scambler – age 39 – Private (3056826) 1st Battalion, Royal Scots.
After the retreat from France in 1940 the re-formed 1st Royal Scots arrived in India in late 1942. They served briefly in Burma in March 1943 before returning to India for further jungle training. The battalion were flown into Dimapur to begin the relief of Kohima and they had reopened the road into Kohima by 18 April 1944.
Born 1905 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late Helen (Scott) Scambler (died 1911) and of Thomas Scambler of Whittingehame Mains, East Lothian.
Killed in Action on 20 April 1944 and buried in Kohima War Cemetery, India
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.

DUNCAN B. STEWART
Duncan Blair Stewart – age 32 – Second Lieutenant (363893) General List seconded to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment.
Duncan graduated B.Sc. from Edinburgh University in 1933 and became a Forest Officer in the Sarawak Government Service at Kuching. He was granted a Governor's Commission in the Colonial Military Forces in January 1942 and was officially transferred to the General List in 1946.
Born 1911 in Prestonkirk. Son of the late Elizabeth (Brotherston) Stewart (died 1939) and of John William Stewart of Craigour, East Linton.
Missing in Action on 20 March 1942 and named on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton and on the Edinburgh University Old College War Memorial and Roll of Honour.

ROBERT TAYLOR
Robert Taylor – age 23 – Lance Corporal (1823145) 5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
The 5th Battalion was the first of the Black Watch units to land in Normandy. It landed on Juno Beach just after 20:00 hours on 6 June 1944. Robert was killed near Bretteville-sur-Dives, south-east of Caen, and was re-interred at Ranville in September 1945.
Born 1921 in Prestonkirk. Son of Charles Walter Taylor and of Elizabeth Jane (Wood) Taylor of East Linton.
Killed in Action on 19 August 1944 and buried in Ranville War Cemetery, France.
Also named on the Prestonkirk Old Parish Church memorial in East Linton.
_________________
Ken