Gunning, John

Details
Category: 1917-18

John Gunning

camerons

8th Batt. Black Watch
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 47.

The family home was at Alma Place in Helensburgh before the family moved to Glasgow.
The son of James Gunning (labourer) and Mary Gunning (nee Johnstone).
Siblings: Two sisters, one older, Nellie and one younger, Mary.

John Gunning was born at Alma Place, Helensburgh. His father James, who was born in Ireland, worked as a labourer.

By the time John was fourteen, his mother had died and his sister Nellie was keeping house. John worked as a message boy for a butcher before enlisting.

John was killed in action during the Battle of Arras. He was 21 years old

Dempster, William

Details
Category: 1917-18

William Dempster

camerons

Machine Gun Corps.
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, the St Columba’s Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh Baptist Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3 Line 44.

The family home was at Argyll Buildings, Innellan
The son of Alex Dempster

William Dempster was already in the Territorial Army at the outbreak of war. Lodging at 90, West Princes Street with a Mrs Charles McKechnie, he was employed as a grocer’s assistant and van man with Walter Duncan in Helensburgh. He was a member of the local Salvation Army.

William had first enlisted in the 9th Batt. the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders but after being wounded and suffering gas poisoning in June of 1915, was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

William was killed in action in May, 1917 at Arras. He was 23 years of age.

Dewar, Peter

Details
Category: 1917-18

Peter Dewar

Royal field artillery

64th Batt. Royal Field Artillery
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 35.

The family home was at 41 Glenfield Street, Dennistoun.
The son of the late Donald Dewar, (gardener) and Elizabeth Dewar (nee Hine).
Siblings: He had a brother, Donald, serving as 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th Rifle Brigade, a sister, Annie, (a shop assistant) and a younger brother, Neil who did not serve. There is also mention that he was the second son, but no trace of an older brother could be found.

Peter Dewar was born at Boyd Place, 13, West King Street, Helensburgh, where his father was a gardener. After an apprenticeship with J.W. McCulloch and Sons as a painter and decorator, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1905 at the age of 17.

Peter spent 7 years in India with the army before being recalled at the outbreak of war and served in France from October, 1914 in the Royal Field Artillery.

Peter died of wounds received in battle. He was 29 years old.

There is mention of descendents at a military address, Fyzabed, Oudh, India.

Dickson, William

Details
Category: 1917-18

William Dickson

Royal field artillery

Royal Navy (Mercantile Marine Reserve)
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Helensburgh Old Parish Church memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 36.

The family home was at 142 Waddell Street, Glasgow
The eldest son of William Dickson (police constable) and Elizabeth Wallace Dickson.
Siblings: Wilhelmina, John, Margaret and Alice

William Dickson was born in Helensburgh, son of a police constable, but moved with his family to Glasgow. He had been employed by J & A McLean, grocers, before emigrating to Canada around 1912.

William returned to join the Royal Navy, Mercantile Marine Reserve and served on HM Yacht Kethailes initially patrolling the North Sea and then transferred to the Irish Sea. There, whilst on a local patrol, she collided with the Bibby Line steamer ‘Leicestershire’ about 11 miles north-east of the Blackwater Light Vessel and sank. Seventeen men were lost. Bodies that washed ashore were buried near Barmouth, mid-Wales.

William was remembered by his aunt, Miss Wallace of 37, East King Street. He was 33 years of age.

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