James Francis Marsland

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Category: 1915-16
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James Francis Marsland

Leinster Regiment

2nd Batt. Leinster Regiment
He is remembered with honour on the Old Parish Church Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 28.

The family home was at Marine View, Helensburgh. The son of QMS James Marsland, a Crimean veteran and janitor of the Hermitage Higher School.
Siblings: Brothers, Lt. Fred Marsland served with the R.A.M.C. and William, who lived at Craigbank, 2, Glasgow Street and was a Prudential Insurance Agent.

James Marsland, known as Jim, grew up in an army family. His father was a Quarter Master Sergeant and veteran of the Crimea war, before becoming janitor at Hermitage Higher School. On leaving school he joined the 1st Leinsters as a professional soldier and served in South Africa receiving the South African Campaign Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. He also served in India and spent some time in Canada. He was a drill instructor and enjoyed martial arts.

James was married to Mary and they had four children; James, Renee, Sheila and baby Florence, who was born after James’ death. At the time of her husband's death, Mary was visiting her father in Tipperary.

James was awarded the Military Cross in June 1915 for conspicuous bravery in the field. He was wounded whilst out patrolling No Man’s Land from the trenches on the Menin Road. He died at Poperinghe Casualty Clearing Station. He was 39 years old.

James Webster MacLay

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Category: 1915-16
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James Webster MacLay

Scottish Rifles

1/7th Batt. Scottish Rifles
He is remembered with honour on the Kilmacolm Roll of Honour, St Columba’s Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 25.

The family home was at Brantwoode, 4, Munro Drive, Helensburgh and Eastwood, Kilmacolm.
The son of William Paton and Mary Jane Fraser Webster MacLay.

James MacLay was born in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire and grew up between his family homes in Kilmacolm and Helensburgh. He was educated at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire where he served in the cadet corps for four years. He later attended The Glasgow Academy before enlisting in the army.

His uncle, Joseph Paton Maclay was Minister for Shipping and two of his cousins also served and died; William MacLay at Gallipoli in 1915 and Ebenezer Maclay at Arras in 1918.

James died in February serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, but his death was not registered until June 1915. He was 18 years old and the youngest officer in his regiment.

The inscription on his headstone simply reads: 'Native of Kilmacolm, Scotland'.

Gordon Fordyce MacLachlan

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Category: 1915-16
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Gordon Fordyce MacLachlan

Camerons

5th Batt. Cameron Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, Helensburgh Old Parish Church memorial, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 27.

The family home was at Rowan Brae, Helensburgh.
The son of David S and Helen MacLachlan.
Siblings: John had two older brothers, William (a clerk) and Charles (baker).

Provost MaclachlanGordon MacLachlan was born in Dumbarton and brought up in Helensburgh, where he went to Hermitage Higher Grade School. His father David owned a local bakery and restaurant and was also Town Provost 1908-1911 (inset left).

Gordon has just finished his apprenticeship as a civil engineer before enlisting.

Gordon was first reported as missing and then confirmed as killed in action. He was 22 years of age. His remain were not recovered.

Provost David S MacLachlan ©Argyll and Bute Council

 

George MacKay

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Category: 1915-16
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George MacKay

Argylls

1/9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National Memorial, St Andrew’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 24.

The family home was at 82, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.
The son of George and Jeanie Logan MacKay.
Siblings: George was one of six children. Three of his brothers served, Hugh and James with the Royal Engineers and Duncan with the 2/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They all survived the war. The eldest brother William was in a reserved occupation on the railways. They had one sister Catherine.
George MacKay was born at 37, Sinclair Street and brought up in the town, where his father was a journeyman plasterer. He was employed as an upholsterer to trade and was described as an enthusiastic territorial before enlisting.

George MacKay was born at 37, Sinclair Street and brought up in the town, where his father was a journeyman plasterer. He was employed as an upholsterer to trade and was described as an enthusiastic territorial before enlisting.
George was the first soldier serving in the local 1/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to be killed at Ypres. He died from wounds received by sniper fire whilst leaving the trenches at the age of 24. He was buried with full military honours and a piper played by his graveside.
The family inscription on his grave reads: 'Until the Day Dawn'.

View a letter from George as he waits to leave for France "My dear sister..."

Harold James Macrae Keith

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Category: 1915-16
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Harold James Macrae Keith

Australian Imperial Force

4th Batt. Australian Imperial Force
He is remembered with honour on, Lone Pine Memorial, the St. Columba Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 21.

The family home was 27, Robertson Street, Greenock. The son of Frederick Macrae and Margaret Bryson Keith. Siblings: Unknown.

 

William Bryson, Provost 1884-90Harold Keith was born in Helensburgh where his maternal Grandfather was the Provost of the town. He attended Hermitage Higher Grade School.
He was employed by steel manufacturers Stewart and Lloyds, 4 Oswald St., Glasgow for 4 years before being promoted and sent to the office in Sydney, Australia.
He returned at the outbreak of war with the Australian Imperial Force.
Harold died, killed in action, aged 26. His remains were not recovered.
The Image was taken when Harold was a signaller in the Glasgow Highlanders.

The Grandson of the late, ex William Bryson, Provost 1884-90. Painted by
James Duncan ©Argyll and Bute Council.

John Gourley Harvey

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Category: 1915-16
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John Gourley Harvey

Argylls

10th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, the Old Parish Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 20.

The family home was at 140, East Clyde Street, Helensburgh
The son of John Gourley Harvey (distiller) and Christina Harvey (nee Arthur).
Siblings: Margaret, Christina, Allan, Mary, Maud, Rebecca, Rachel, Arthur, Edith and Elsie.

 

John Harvey was born at Woodend, Houston, Renfrewshire before moving to Helensburgh with his family and being educated at Hermitage High Grade School.
John served his apprenticeship with David Rowan and Co, marine engineers and was later employed by Kincaids of Greenock.
He returned from Calcutta, India to fight for his country. It is not known if he had a family in India. John died, killed in action at Loos aged 34.

Alva Alexander Graham

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Category: 1915-16
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Alva Alexander Graham

Royal Scots

6th Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, St. Andrew Church Roll of Honour and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 19.

The family home was at 120, Luss Road, Helensburgh. The son of Richard and Margaret Baxter Graham.
Siblings: Alva had one younger sister, Mary.

Alva Graham was born at 8 Glenfinlas Street in Helensburgh and brought up in the town, with his younger sister, Mary, where his father was a signalman on the railway. On leaving school he followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a railway worker. Alva joined the army in August, 1914 and was killed in action at Loos only 13 months later. He was 20 years old.

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