John Bennet Taylor (Jack)

Details
Category: 1917-18
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John Bennet Taylor (Jack)

Argylls

2nd Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, Scottish National War Memorial, St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 31.

The family home was 97, West Princes Street, Helensburgh. The son of John Bennett Taylor (butcher) and Euphemia Taylor (nee Young).

 

John Taylor (known as Jack) was born in Alloa and moved to Helensburgh, where his father was a butcher. On leaving school, he followed his father's profession and became an apprentice butcher with Mr John Brown in the town.
Jack married Jessie Robertson (domestic servant) at St Michael and All Angels Church in June, 1915
He enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in November, 1916 and was sent to France the following February.
Jack died, killed in action, only 3 months later. He was 27 years old. His remains were not recovered.  His brother-in-law, David Robertson, was killed in 1915 and is also named on the memorial.

Frederick William Stone

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 34

Frederick William Stone

Merchant Navy

Merchant Marine Reserve
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St. Michael and All Angels Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 30.

The family home was 6, East King Street, and then 43 Grant Street, Helensburgh.The son of the late John Stone and Elizabeth Stone.
Siblings: Frederick had two brothers, his twin Peter, who served as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers and younger brother, Robert, and one sister, Annie.

balmoralFrederick Stone was born at 5 West King Street in Helensburgh with his twin Peter.
Frederick served on the MMR HMS Balmoral, a paddle minesweeper and had been engaged in minesweeping duties in the North Sea and English Channel for over a year, when he died.
Frederick drowned at sea, his body found washed up at Dunkirk Harbour. He was 30 years of age.
His twin, Peter, survived the war

George Alexander Sillars

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 36

George Alexander Sillars

Highland Light Infantry

5th Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour, the Helensburgh Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Roll of Honour, St Columba’s Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 29.

The family home was Oxford Bank, 74, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh The son of George Alexander (painter and decorator) and Jeanie Sillars
Siblings: George had one sister, Jeanie.

George Sillars was born in Helensburgh, where his father owned a painting and decorating business at 58, Sinclair Street. He was educated at Hermitage Higher Grade School and attended the University of Glasgow, studying dentistry. He was an accomplished musician and played in the Baptist Church. He also played the organ at Dunfermline Abbey while stationed there with the RAMC

George originally enlisted to the Royal Army Medical Corps before transferring to combat duties and served in the Mediterranean, in Egypt, and at Gallipoli before fighting in the Battle of Jerusalem with General Allenby’s forces.

George was killed in action, probably at the Battle of Beit Ur el Tahta. He was 22 years of age.

Neil Sharkey

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 35

Neil Sharkey

Argylls

8th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, St. Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 28.

The family home was at 16, East King Street, Helensburgh The son of Neil and Mary Sharkey
Siblings: Neil had four brothers, Hugh, who also served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Andrew, Charles and Dominick, and two sisters, Susan and Bridget. Two older siblings had left home by the time of the 1911 census.

SharkeyNeilheadstone

Neil Sharkey was born in Helensburgh and brought up in the town. He was an apprentice fishmonger and a member of the local territorials, joining in January of 1913.

At the outbreak of war Neil joined the 9th Batt. of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, later transferred to the 8th Batt. Being promoted to Sergeant, he married Mary Orr (domestic servant) in Edinburgh in January 1917.

Neil was wounded in 1915 and recovered to return to the Front. At Arras in 1917, he was killed in action, wounded in the back and shoulder. He was 21 years old. He received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
View Neil's Letter from the front

Alexander Richardson

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 23

Alexander Richardson

Royal Naval Reserve

Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, Old Parish Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 27.

The family home was 14, Glenfinlas Street, Helensburgh The son of Robert Richardson, (engine driver) and Janet Richardson
Siblings: Frank one brother, Robert, and four sisters, Jessie, Susan, Agnes and Ellen.

Alexander Richardson was born in Helensburgh, where his father was an engine driver for the North British Railways.

Alexander joined the RNVR in October 1914. In September 1915, he was home on sick leave after seeing fighting in the Dardanelles.

Sent to France, he was attached to the Howe Batt. Light Trench Mortar Battery. He was then transferred to the 189th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, R.N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, attached to the Drake Battalion.

Alexander was reported missing on 23rd April 1917, and it was later confirmed he died on that date. He was 20 years old.

Thomas G. Proudfoot

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 30

Thomas G. Proudfoot

royal scots fusiliers

2nd Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, St. Bride’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 26.

The family home was 36, John Street, Helensburgh.The son of the late R.S.M. James and Agnes Proudfoot of Moniaive, Dumfriesshire.
Siblings: Thomas had a brother serving as a sergeant, also with the Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Thomas Proudfoot was brought up in a military family where his father was a Regimental Sergeant Major. He was employed with Messrs Saunders, fishmonger before enlisting. He married Jean Murdoch Proudfoot in Helensburgh Thomas was first reported missing in action, later confirmed killed in action. He was 36 years old. His remains were not recovered.

Edward Pirret(Norman McLeod Pirret)

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 30

Edward Pirret(Norman McLeod Pirret)

Royal Army Medical Corps

1st Field Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps. (11th General Hospital)
He is remembered with honour on Helensburgh Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh Post Office Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 25.

The family home was 36 Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh The son of James (foreman mason) and Isabella Pirret
Norman's daughter, May, married the Rev. James Taylor in Georgetown, Ontario - her death notice showed that Norman had two grandsons and a granddaughter and four great grandchildren. His widow died in Canada in 1966.
Norman McLeod Pirret (also known as Edward as seen on the War Memorial) was born in Edinburgh, later moving to Helensburgh where his father was a foreman mason.
He was employed as a postman before mobilising. Norman was a member of the local Territorials and was posted to France in August 1914.
Norman married Christina Henderson Pirret (nee Scott), of 35, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, in 1912 and they had a daughter, May.
Norman received the Military Medal for bravery in 1916. He died of wounds received in battle. His inscription reads: 'Dearly Beloved Husband of Tina Scott, Coatbridge, till he come'.
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