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Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch

SRoH.     Lieutenant E Cliff-McCulloch.   .   Home: Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse.
Enlisted East Lancashires.     Served on Western Front.     Wounded July 1916.

Medal Index Card: AEC McCulloch, temporary 2nd Lieut., South Lancashire Regiment. 

1891 Troqueer Census, at Goldilea Mansion House : Adam E. Cliff (aged 2 months) with father Edward A Cliff and mother Janet McC. Cliff + 3 older brothers and an older sister + 7 servants.

1901 Troqueer Census, at Goldilea Mansion House : Adam E Cliff  (9) with his father Edward A. Cliff and mother Janet McC Cliff + siblings.

1901 Anwoth Census, at Kirkclaugh House : A.E.C. McCulloch (9, born Dumfries) , without his parents but with 14 servants.      [N.B. Adam was recorded twice in 1901 census].

1911 Anwoth Census, at Kirkclaugh House : Adam McCulloch (20, student, born Troqueer) with father Edward C. McCulloch and mother Janet.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 21st July 1916 : Lieutenant Edward Cliff-McCulloch, of the South Lancashires, youngest son of the late Mr A. E. Cliff-McCulloch, Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse of Fleet, has been severely wounded. While carrying a wounded soldier out of danger, he was struck by shrapnel and badly wounded a foot. On being conveyed to the rear, this young officer suffered much, as the men carrying him on the stretcher, owing to the rough ground, fell several times. On reaching the hospital, chloroform was administered to Lieutenant Cliff-McCulloch, and his foot amputated.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser December 1917: Captain A.E. Cliff-McCulloch has been awarded the Military Cross.

Scotlands People Index
1878 marriage at Lochrutton of Edward Adam Cliff to Janet McCulloch Brown. (Adam's parents).
1891 birth at Troqueer of Adam Edward Cliff (sic)
1911 death at Anwoth of Janet McCulloch McCulloch. (Adam's mother)
1913 marriage at Troqueer of Edward Adam Cliff- McCulloch to Mary Rainsford- Hannay

Notes: 
Born Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch in 1891, but sometimes seems to have been called Edward.     Father : Edward Adam Cliff-McCulloch.  Mother : Janet Brown. 
The family changed their name from Cliff to Cliff-McCulloch when they inherited Kirkclaugh in 1896.
Adam E. Cliff-McCulloch was a brother of John G. and Walter A. Cliff-McCulloch.

While serving with South Lancashires at the Battle of the Somme, he was injured and lost a foot. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.After the war he went to New Zealand to farm with his brother John.
He married Joyce Edith de Vere of Sydney in 1933.
He and his wife returned to Kirkcudbrightshire where he worked as a factor on various estates in the area.

Gatehouse link : Family owned Kirkclaugh near Gatehouse.

Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch

John Gordon Cliff-McCulloch

SRoH.     Not mentioned in Stewartry Roll of Honour.
Identified as Royal Navy veteran of WW1 from a relative still living in Gatehouse.

Naval Records : Lieut John G Cliff-McCulloch RNS on HMS Malaya.   Gazetted 15th September 1916  DSC.     'Was in charge of the port battery and immediately went across and in a short space of time the fire had been got under (control) and the situation in hand, and Nos 1 and 66 inch starboard (guns) were ready to open fire ten minutes from the explosion. This is due to the prompt action taken by Lieut. McCulloch, and his example had undoubtedly a good effect on the large number of young men stationed there'
UK Naval Medal & Awards List : Mentioned in Despatches 23rd November 1916.
UK Naval Medal & Awards List : Croix de Guerre -  Lieut. John G. Cliff-McCulloch D&G RNR 2nd November 1917.
UK Navy List : 27 Aug. 1918
On HMS Tingara, Boys Training Ship: RANR Lieut. John G Cliff-McCulloch DSC for Physical Training Duties.

1901 Troqueer Census, at Goldilea Mansion House : John G. Cliff  (17, born England) with father Edward A.Cliff and mother Janet McC Cliff + siblings. 

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser  December 1917: Lieut. J.G. Cliff-McCulloch has been awarded Croix de Guerre by the French Government and a Distinguished Service Cross by our own Government. Son of late Captain A.E. Cliff-McCulloch, Kirkclaugh.

Born in 1883, son of Edward Adam Cliff-McCulloch and Janet Brown. Before WW1, he had joined the Royal Navy. After he left the navy he emigrated to New Zealand to farm. He returned to Britain to re-join the Royal Navy during WW1.
Took part in the Battle of Jutland on the H.M.S. Malaya. Awarded the DSC for gallantry.     
He returned to New Zealand after the war.

John G. Cliff-McCulloch was a brother of Adam E. and Walter A. Cliff- McCulloch.
Note: the family changed their surname from Cliff to Cliff-McCulloch when they inherited Kirkclaugh.

Gatehouse link : Family owned Kirkclaugh near Gatehouse.

John G Cliff-McCulloch on HMS Malaya (Harbour Watch Keepers)     HMS Prince Albert with John G Cliff-McCulloch & Staff Sgt Greigg on HMS Malaya

Mary Cliff-McCulloch

SRoH.          Mrs Mary Cliff-McCulloch.         Home: Braeside, Gatehouse.
Enlisted December 1915.     Red Cross work.
Served at Boulogne & Home Hospitals.
Awarded General Service Medal & Order of Red Triangle with Bar.

1881 Liverpool Census, Greenbank House, Toxteth : Mary (age 4, born Madras, India)  with mother Helen at grandparent’s home (John and Mary Branker).

1891 Portsea Census : Mary R. Hannay (14, born India) with father Ramsay W. R. Hannay and mother Helen J. R. Hannay.

1901 Cork, Ireland census, at Grange, Douglas: Mary Rainsford Hannay (aged 24) with father Ramsay William Rainsford-Hannay, mother Helen Jane and sister Rhoda.

Scotlands People Index :
1911 Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch's first wife Janet McCulloch died at Anwoth.
1913 Marriage of Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch to Mary Rainsford-Hannay at Troqueer.

www.peerage.com :  20th May 1913 Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch married Mary Rainsford-Hannay .

Ancestry.co.uk : Probate - Adam Edward Cliff-McCulloch of Netherwood Bank, Dumfries. Died 30th August 1915 at Carlisle. Administration to Mary Rainsford Cliff-McCulloch, widow.

Born Mary Rainsford-Hannay, she was the 2nd wife of Edward Adam Cliff-McCulloch.     They lived at Kirkclaugh House outside Gatehouse.     Mary moved to Braeside in 1915 after Edward died.
Mary’s parents were Ramsay William Rainsford-Hannay and Jane Branker.

Gatehouse link : Family owned Kirkclaugh near Gatehouse.

Mary Cliif-McCulloch (nee Rainsford Hannay)

Walter Alexander Cliff-McCulloch

SRoH.   Lieutenant Walter Alexander Cliff-McCulloch.  Home: Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse.     Enlisted 6th August 1914, New Zealand Forces as a Trooper.
Commissioned to Royal Irish Rifles.     Served on Eastern & Western Fronts.
Killed in action at Vermelles, France, 27th February 1916.
Previously served for a short time with 3rd King’s Own Scottish Borderers (Militia).

Anwoth & Girthon War Memorial, Gatehouse : W.A. Cliff McCulloch     Lieut.  IR Rifles.

Gatehouse Parish Church Memorial (originally in Anwoth Church) : To the memory of Walter Alexander Cliff-McCulloch Lieutenant VII Royal Irish Rifles. Being engaged in sheep farming in New Zealand at the outbreak of war, he was among the very first to offer his services. Without a thought for his wordly possessions he enlisted in the Wellington Mounted Rifles on August 6th 1914 and afterwards received a commission. He was killed in action at Vermelles, France February 27th 1916 aged 29.

Gravestone at Kirkclaugh private cemetery: ‘...and their 3rd son (of Edward Adam and Janet McCulloch Cliff-McCulloch) Walter Alexander Cliff-McCulloch, Lieutenant Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action in France on the 27th February 1916, and buried in the British Cemetery at Vermelles. Aged 29 years.’

CWGC: Lieut. Walter Alexander Cliff-McCulloch Royal Irish Rifles 7th Battalion.
Died 27/02/1916 (aged 29).
Buried Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France  Grave: II.F.1
Son of E A Cliff-McCulloch, Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse of Fleet.

Cenotaph Database, Auckland, New Zealand : Trooper Walter A McCulloch 11/221 Wellington Mounted Rifles. Left New Zealand 16/10/1914 bound for Suez, Egypt.     Address 23 Queen Street, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Next of Kin : E.A. Cliff-McCullogh (father) Netherwood Bank, Dumfries.
Farmed sheep in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand with his brother John.

1891 Troqueer Census, at Goldilea Mansion House : Walter A. Cliff (aged 4) with father Edward A Cliff and mother Janet McC  Cliff + 3 brothers and an older sister + 7 servants.

1901 Troqueer Census, at Goldilea Mansion House : Walter A. Cliff  (14, born England) with father Edward A.Cliff and mother Janet McC Cliff  + siblings.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 10th March 1916 : Killed. Lt W. A. Cliff-McCulloch, Kirkclaugh. Royal Irish Rifles.
The death of this young officer is announced as having occurred in action in France on the 27th February. He was the third son of the late Mr & Mrs A. E. Cliff-McCulloch, Kirkclaugh, Gatehouse, and nephew of Lady Ardwall and of Mrs Stewart of Shambellie.
After serving for a short time in the 3rd (Militia) K.O.S.B., he went out to New Zealand in 1909, and joined his brother, Mr J. Cliff-McCulloch, - at present a Lieutenant on H.M.S. 'Malaga' - in the management of a sheep farm at Hawke's Bay. He soon adapted himself to New Zealand farming life, and about a year before the war started, he had a farm of his own in the back blocks, leading a most strenuous life in clearing heavy bush country. Anticipating the war, he had arranged with his family at home to cable him when Germany seemed likely to attack, in order that he might return home at once to offer his services to his country. When war was declared, he applied for a commission, but as there was some delay in obtaining this, he joined as a trooper, fearing that he might miss the first detachment to leave New Zealand. After serving for six months in Egypt with the New Zealand Force, Mr Cliff-McCulloch was given a commission in the Irish Rifles. He went out to France in December, and was placed in command of the snipers of this battalion.
His three other brothers are on service, two of them having joined the New Zealand Forces in the early autumn of 1914, and the eldest, who was married in September last, being in the Ayrshire Yeomanry.
(Note: this is the only reference to the eldest son, William E Cliff-McCulloch, being in the war. He is not mentioned in the Stewartry Roll of Honour)

A special service was held on Sunday last in Anwoth Parish Church in memory of the late Lieutenant Cliff-McCulloch, who was well-known and highly esteemed throughout the district. There was a very large congregation, and the Rev. Stuart Wallace (who is acting minister in place of the Rev. Frank Saunders) officiated.
Amongst those present were Mr & Mrs Colin King-Webster of Kirkclaugh, Lieut. A. Cliff-McCulloch, the South Lancashire Regiment, Lady Maxwell of Cardoness, Mrs Maxwell of Castramont, Mrs Irving & Miss Murray-Baillie of Cally, Miss Digby of Rusko, Co. Rainsford - Hannay of Kirkdale, and Mr Percy Rainsford-Hannay.
Miss Alice Phillips, Gatehouse acted as organist.
During his sermon the minister said : "He was known to everyone....in his youth he served for some time...in the Royal Scots, and later ...he went to New Zealand.  ...When war broke out, he and his brother John never hesitated for a moment...and left a large farm and hastened home....He received a commission in the Royal Irish Rifles and went to France three months ago, falling, while in command of a sniper party, the most difficult and dangerous occupation that can be given a soldier......today we stand for a little by the grave of Sandy Cliff, and think of the mother and father...and their gay brave lad - the Anwoth boy - who loved the parish and was loved by the parish."

At Kirkmabreck Parish Church, a reference was made to the death of Mr W. A. Cliff-McCulloch of the Royal Irish Rifles, son of the late Mr & Mrs Cliff-McCulloch of Kirkclaugh, heritors of this parish.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 17th March 1916: Rev. R.B. McGlashan, in his sermon at Gatehouse United Free Church said; Lieut. Alexander Cliff-McCulloch has died a soldier's death and lies today in a soldier's grave.

Note: the family changed their surname from Cliff to Cliff-McCulloch when they inherited the estate at Kirkclaugh.

FreeBMD : Birkenhead, Lancashire, birth of Walter Alexander Cliff  Q1 1887.
Walter A. Cliff-McCulloch was a brother of Adam E. and John G. Cliff-McCulloch.
Father : Edward Adam Cliff-McCulloch. Mother : Janet Brown
Died at Vermelles, Flanders.

Gatehouse link : Family owned Kirkclaugh near Gatehouse.

Memorial to Walter Cliff McCulloch now in Gatehouse Parish Church     Detail from Cliff-McCulloch family grave at Kirkclaugh.

John James Clingan

SRoH.    Private John James Clingan.    Home: Station Hotel, Dumfries.
Born: Gatehouse.     Enlisted February 1916,  2nd Battalion,  King’s Own Scottish Borderers.     Served on Western Front (Bethune, Givenchy, Festubert, Arras, Vimy Ridge, Oppy Wood, Ypres, Italian Front, Vermelles, & Bapume).
Wounded once Oppy Wood.

Medal Index Card: Private John James Clingan 23483. Enlisted 15th February 1916. Discharged 31st January 1919.

 

1901 Balmaghie Census, Balmaghie Police Station : John James Clingan (9, born Girthon) with father John (police constable) and mother Agnes Jane + William (8, born Troqueer), Thomas (5, born Troqueer) & Jane (1, born Castle Douglas).

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 23rd April 1917: Private John Clingan K.O.S.B. has been reported missing. He is the son of P.C.  J. Clingan, New Abbey, whose other 2 sons have been killed in the war.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard on 20th Sept. 1919 :marriage of John J Clingan, eldest son of Mr & Mrs Clingan, Police Station, New Abbey to Mary Cormack, Leathes Dairy, Castle Douglas.

Scotlands People Index :  1891 John James Clingan, born Girthon.

John had 2 brothers killed during the war.   They are both remembered on the New Abbey Parish Church Memorial.
     Private Thomas Clingan 1/5 K.O.S.B. aged 20 in Gallipoli
     Private William Clingan, Machine Gun Corps, aged 26 in France.

Gatehouse link : Born in Gatehouse.

Key to Sources

    
Roll of Honour

    
War Memorials

    
Gravestones

    
Commonwealth War Graves

    
Army Records

    
Census Records

    
Newspapers

    
Other Sources