How relieved some British Troops must have been in December 1916 to be told they were being given leave to go back home for a short time. War was not going well, and whilst most troops suffered those cold, terrible conditions in the trenches, others were most fortunate to arrive back in Britain for the […]
James Watson fought with the Royal Scots in 3rd Battalion. Standing 5 foot 7 and 21 years old when he enlisted, his story is another remarkable one. Born in Cambuslang on 11th September 1893 to parents Alexander Watson and Janet Scott, he had moved to Springwell, Blantyre by the age of 21 in 1914. That […]
This week’s video, I have to admit has been the most difficult so far to make. The decade from 1910-1919 was of course, scarred terribly by the horrors of the Great War, with monumental loss of life. War featured for more than half of those years and so I’ve focused on people. Ordinary Blantyre folks, […]
Alister Williams recently messaged me with this fascinating information. He told me, “I am the author of REES, VC – the first of the original ‘Few’, being the biography of Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees, VC, OBE. MC, AFC (1884–1955). Rees is the world’s first official fighter pilot, serving with the first official fighter […]
Blantyre man, Gunnnar Thomas Galloway of the Royal Field Artillery was killed in France by the bursting of a shell on 24thJune 1917 during WW1. A Gunner in the RFA, he lived at 33 Carlton Place, former address on Craig Street. He enlisted on 1stSeptember 1914 and proceeded to the front in spring 1915. He was […]
With thanks to Gordon Highlanders Museum and local lady Ann Crossar for this article in its entirety. Pte Andrew Sim (S/8661) 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders Pte Andrew Sim (S/8661) was one of almost 50,000 men who served with the Gordon Highlanders during WW1. More than half of the service records for WW1 soldiers were destroyed […]
Captain John McGhie of the R.A.M.C. was the brave Blantyre man who was awarded the Military Cross for an act of gallantry during WW1. He was recognised for his devotion to duty while serving with the forces in France by being given this medal. Captain McGhie was the son of Mr Henry McGhie formerly of […]