Murdoch Gillies

Details
Category: 1917-18
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Murdoch Gillies

Kosb

6st Batt. King's Own Scottish Borderers.
He is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, the Helensburgh Post Office Memorial and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 44.

The family home was at Iona Cottage, Helensburgh. The son of John Gillies, Waterstem, Glendale, Isle of Skye.
Murdoch Gillies was born near Inverness. He may have lived in Iona Cottage in Helensburgh for some time.
He married Jessie Neish who was reportedly living in North Berwick at the time of his death.
Murdoch died at Arras in May, 1917, originally posted as missing and later confirmed that he had been killed in action. The location of his grave is unknown.

James Gibson

Details
Category: 1917-18
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James Gibson

Argylls

9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on Tyne Cot Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, St Columba’s Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 43.

The family home was at Bank of Scotland Buildings, 36 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh. The son of James Gibson (Bank Manager) and his wife, Margaret. Siblings: James had one younger sister, Margaret.
James Gibson was born in Lanarkshire, and moved to Helensburgh where his father was the Manager of the Bank of Scotland. He was educated at Hermitage Higher School and worked for a short time at the office of Donaldson Shipping line before joining up at the outbreak of war. James died at Ypres, at the age of 22 years. The location of his grave is unknown.

Thomas Elliot (Elliot

Details
Category: 1917-18
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Thomas Elliot (Elliot

Argylls

1/8th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on Arras Memorial, the St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 42.

The family home was at 20, James Street, Helensburgh The son of Mary Elliot
Siblings: There were five brothers, John, Robert, Hugh and Joseph, all serving in the colours. His brother John, died, killed in action, only two months after Thomas.
Thomas Elliot was born in Helensburgh and was employed as a gardener before enlisting. He was living with his siblings and widowed mother.
He died at Arras, killed in action, whilst attached to the Seaforth Highlanders. He was 25 years of age. His remains were not recovered.

John Joseph Elliot (Elliott)

Details
Category: 1917-18
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John Joseph Elliot (Elliott)

Argylls

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on St Joseph's Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 41.

The family home was at 20, James Street, Helensburgh.
The son of Mary Elliot.
Siblings: John had four younger brothers, Robert, Hugh, Joseph and Thomas, all serving in the colours. His brother Thomas, died, killed in action, only two months before John. John had one sister, Hannah.
John Elliot was born in Helensburgh and was employed as a slater before enlisting. He was living with his siblings and widowed mother.
He died at Ypres, killed in action, whilst attached to the Seaforth Highlanders. He was 41 years old.

Harold Forrester Duncan

Details
Category: 1917-18
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Harold Forrester Duncan

Royal Flying corps

Royal Flying Corps
He is remembered with honour on the St. Michael’s Church Roll of Honour, Larchfield School Memorial, Sedbergh School Cloisters, the Scottish National War Memorial and the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 40.

The family home was at Polkemmet, 6, Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh
The son of Major John Forrester and Mrs Stella Sinclair Duncan (nee Mellish), who owned a tobacconists locally. His father was later to become Provost of Helensburgh.
Siblings: Lieutenant Alan M. Duncan served with the Highland Light Infantry in France.
Sopworth

Harold Duncan was born in Helensburgh, where his family owned Mellish Tobacconists. His father had a military background and was later to be Provost of the town. Harold attended Miss Johnston's school, Larchfield and Sedbergh School in Cumbria. Training as an accountant, he was employed by Messrs Bannatyne and Guthrie C.A., Glasgow.

He joined the Highland Light Infantry (3rd/5th Batt), then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (70 Squadron). He was badly wounded in a dog fight over the Somme, dying a few days later. He had just been awarded the Military Cross for ‘Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an aerial combat.’

Only a short time before his death, whilst on leave, he had become engaged to Miss Young of Dunalwyn, 2, West Abercromby Street.

His gravestone reads: ‘Love than death itself more strong’.

 

James Moor Gilmour Drummond

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 17

James Moor Gilmour Drummond

Highland Light Infantry

16th Batt. Highland Light Infantry
He is remembered with honour on the Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 39.

The family home was at 7, East Clyde Street, Helensburgh The son of George Drummond (plumber) and Mary Drummond (nee Gilmour).

James Drummond was born at 73, East Clyde Street in Helensburgh where his father was a plumber journeyman.

He later resided in Lanark.

He was killed in action, fighting in the Aisne, France, at the age of 31.

William Stirling Donald

Details
Category: 1917-18
Hits: 21

William Stirling Donald

Canadian Expeditionary Force

Canadian Expeditionary Force
He is remembered with honour on the St. Columba’s Church Roll of Honour, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 2 Line 37.

The family home was at 2, Prince Albert Terrace, Helensburgh. The son of Archibald Donald, master blacksmith, (deceased) and Eleanor Jemima Donald (nee Stirling).
Siblings: William came from a large family, Archibald, Margaret, Jean, Christina, Eleanor, Molly, Georgina and Agnes.

William Donald was born in Helensburgh and brought up in the town. After leaving school, he worked his way up to being manager of the Ironmongery Shop in Sinclair Street, Helensburgh. He was a member of the St. Columba Church where he sang in the choir. He was also a keen football player and angler.
Later, having married Jeanie Burns Donald, he emigrated to Canada where he worked as a druggist with the Edmonton Drug Co.. William returned in 1916 with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
William died at Vimy Ridge leaving his wife and two small children, who were then living at Kilmalcolm.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought in April 1917. Four divisions of the Canadian Corps captured it from the German army. It was the largest territorial advance of any Allied force at that point in the war.
  1. John Gilchrist Don

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