Burns, Patrick

Details
Category: 1917-18

Patrick Burns

camerons

2nd Batt. Scots Rifles (Cameronians)
He is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 30.

The family home was at Alma Place, HelensburghThe son of Lawrence Burns (labourer) and Mary Burns (outdoor worker).
Siblings: Patrick had two older brothers Michael (baker) and Lawrence, who also served and died at Flanders in 1914.

Patrick Burns was born at Alma Place and brought up in Helensburgh. His father Lawrence was a labourer and his mother Mary an outdoor worker. By the 1911 census, when Patrick was 18 years old, his mother Mary was described as head of the household.

Patrick worked as a labourer before enlisting.

Patrick fought at Flanders and after being reported missing was confirmed to have been killed in action in April 1917. He was 24 years old.

His remains were not recovered, and he has no known grave.

His older brother, Lawrence, died in 1914.

Campbell, Ian Stewart

Details
Category: 1917-18

Ian Stewart Campbell

Australian Imperial Force

34th Batt. Australian Imperial Force
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial, the Australian War Memorial, Canberra and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 32.

The family home was at 12 George Street, Helensburgh The son of Private Daniel S. Campbell, (also serving with the Australian Imperial Force), and Margaret Smith
Siblings: Younger sisters Jessie and Edith and brother Alistair were all born in Helensburgh. Alistair was too young to join up.

Ian Campbell was born in Helensburgh and educated at the Hermitage Higher Grade School. His grandparents own the auction saleroom in Sinclair Street. In 1908 his parents emigrated to Sydney, NSW, Australia on board the 'Karoola' with the two youngest children. Ian and his sister Jessie joined them the following year. At the outbreak of war Ian's father Daniel joined the Australian Imperial Force to fight for the King and Empire. After serving in the senior cadet force at Fort Street Boys High School, Ian joined up in January, 1916 and was deployed to France. Ian was promoted to corporal in April 1917 and was killed in action two months later. He was only 19 years of age.

Connor, Norman

Details
Category: 1917-18

Norman Connor

Highland Light Infantry

17th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (3rd Glasgow). He is listed on the Glasgow Roll of Honour.

Family: He was the son of Irish-born village school headmaster John Connor and his wife Jeannie from Mochrum, Wigtownshire. The family lived at the village school house for a number of years, then his parents retired to Armadale Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow.
Siblings: John and Henry, two older sisters, teacher Jeanie and Norah, and a twin sister, Eva.

Born in Garelochhead on June 7 1896, Sergeant Norman Connor, of the 17th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (3rd Glasgow), had the unusual distinction of winning the Military Medal for bravery in the field twice in Flanders.

Norman joined the Army as a Private in 1915, and he served in France with his battalion for nearly two years.

As an Acting Sergeant Norman was awarded his first MM in November 1916, and the Bar to the Medal five months later — when he was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

He also received the 1915 Star, and posthumously the British War and Victory Medals.

A tribute in the Helensburgh and Gareloch Times after his death recorded: “He was a fine soldier, to be thoroughly depended upon in any emergency.

“Letters from his officers and others to his parents express their great admiration for his courage and character.

“When at home on leave he seemed to all who saw him the very embodiment of quiet strength and manly vigour.”

In the United Free Church on Sunday September 16, the Rev W.E.Ireland paid a moving tribute to what he described as “so brave a man”.

He also referred to the sorrow which had come to those who for so many years had been members of the congregation, and who still had numerous friends in Garelochhead.

Law, Charles John

Details
Category: 1917-18

Charles John Law

kings Own Scottish Borderers

3rd Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 3, Line 2.

The family home was at Kintillo, 18, Stafford Street, Helensburgh. The son of Andrew Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Annie Pitcairn Law (nee Robley)
Siblings: His brother, Capt. James Law, served in the Royal Fusiliers and died a few months after Charles. He also had two other brothers, Harrington and Richard and two sisters, Isabella and Catherine. 

Charles Law was born in Helensburgh. His father was a politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and future Prime Minister. His mother Annie was the daughter of a Dumbarton shipbroker. Charles was educated at Miss Johnston's School before going to Eton College. He later studied German at Weimar returning just hours before war was declared.

He joined the army straight from school aged just 17.

Charles was first sent to Egypt and then to Palestine to fight. He was reported wounded and missing, possibly a prisoner of the Turkish forces, before being confirmed killed in action. He was 20 years old.

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