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James Matthew Armstrong
SRoH. Sergeant James Matthew Armstrong. Culquha, Ringford .
Enlisted April 1915, 24th Royal Fusiliers, Sportsman’s Battalion.
Served on Western Front (Vimy Ridge, Somme). Killed at Delville Wood 28th July 1916.
Served in South African War with Middlesex Regiment.
Awarded Medal and Bar.
Tongland War Memorial at Ringford : James M Armstrong.
Kirkcudbright Academy War Memorial : James M Armstrong.
Tarff United Free Church, WW1 memorial window (now destroyed) : James is believed to have also been commemorated here.
Balmaclellan Gravestone: Father Andrew Armstrong, farmer Culquha, mother Margaret Wilson. ...Also their youngest son James Matthew Armstrong, Sargent Sports Battalion 24th Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the Somme 28th July 1916, aged 41 years. 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori' (From an Ode by the Roman poet Horace meaning 'It is sweet and fitting to die for your country')
CWGC : Lance Serjeant, Service No: SP/3456, Date of Death: 28/07/1916, Age:41.
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers 24th Battalion.
Thiepval Memorial, France : Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.
Son of the late Mr. Andrew Armstrong, and of Mrs. Armstrong, of Culquha, Ringford, Kirkcudbrightshire. Served in the South African Campaign with the Middlesex Yeomanry.
James moved to Argentina where he was a cattle rancher for around 10 years. At the outbreak of war he returned to this country, and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers in April 1915.
Soldiers Who Died in Great War : James Matthew Armstrong SP/3456 , Born Anworth, Kirkcudbrightshire. Lived Twynholm. Died in France (killed in action 28 July 1916). Enlisted in London in Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment 24th Battalion. )
Army Records for South African War: James Matthew Armstrong born 1876 Anwoth, Gatehouse.Attested 23/02/1900 as Private 4303 with Imperial Yeomanry in London. Aged 24.He was a draper, was single and Presbyterian.
He was 6' tall, 168 lbs with a dark complexion, brown hair and grey eyes.Served in South Africa from 14/04/1900 to 18/07/1901.
Possibly awarded (unclear writing) South African Medal (maybe King's South African Medal 1901) with clasps (Wittehergan & Cape Colony, Eanvaal ? and 1901).
(The Battle of Wittebergan was 1st - 29th July 1900 It is a mountain range in Orange Free State. The Campaign at Eanvaal was 1900 to 1902).
Mother: Margaret Armstrong, Barlochan, Twynholm.
1881 Tongland census : at Culquha Farmhouse, James M (age 6 born Anwoth) with parents Andrew (49 b. Glencairn) and Margaret (44 b. Balmaclellan) + 6 siblings & 3 servants. (info. ex Ken Morrison).
1891 Tongland Census, at Culquha Farm : James Armstrong (16, scholar, born Anwoth) with widowed mother Margaret (53), brother John (25) + 3 other siblings.
D&G Standard 5th August 1916. : After serving with the Middlesex Yeomanry in the South African Wars, James moved to Argentina where he was a cattle rancher for around 10 years. At the outbreak of war he returned to this country and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers in April 1915. He served at Vimy Ridge and the Somme and was killed in the battle for Delville Wood.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 11th August 1916 : Killed - J.M. Armstrong, Ringford. Royal Fusiliers. This week official information has been received that Sergeant James Armstrong, Sportsman's Battalion, has been killed in action in France. Sergeant Armstrong was the fourth son of the late Andrew Armstrong, farmer, Culquha, Ringford and the youngest of four brothers, three of which are prominent farmers in the district, viz., Mr John Armstrong, Cuquha; Mr Robert Armstrong, Littleton, Gatehouse; Mr George Armstrong, Langbarns, Kirkcudbright.
At a critical period in the South African War, when the Government decided to raise a strong campaign of mounted men, Sergt. Armstrong joined the Middlesex Yeomanry, with which regiment he saw much service. Later he emigrated to the Argentine, where he took up the ranching business. Shortly after the outbreak of war, he gave up his business, and returning to this country, enlisted. With his training in the South African War, he was soon efficient, and was sent to France, where he took part in most of the big engagements and had some very narrow escapes. He was in charge of a bombing party and on one occasion, having to leave the four men with whom he had been working, he returned in a minute or two to find them all dead. He was recently promoted to sergeant, and in a letter to his mother, who lives in Tongland Road, Kirkcudbright, he mentioned the fact, and added that he hoped he would prove worthy of the honour when the day of testing came. Sergeant Armstrong was 41 years old.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 11th August 1916 : Roll of Honour - Armstrong : Killed in action in France on 28th July, Sergeant James Matthew Armstrong, Royal Fusiliers (Sportsman's Battalion), youngest son of the late Andrew Armstrong, Culquha, Ringford and of Mrs Armstrong, Mansfield, Kirkcudbright.
Birth Certificate: James Matthew Armstrong born 20th January 1875 at Rusko House, Anwoth. Father Andrew Armstrong, farmer. Mother Margaret Halliday (maiden surname Wilson) Parents married in 1865 in Hammersmith, London. When James was killed his address was Culquha Farm, Ringford, where his parents lived.
Wikipedia : The 23rd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's), better known as the Sportsmen's Battalions, were among the Pals Battalions formed in World War I. Rather than be taken from a small geographical area, these particular battalions were largely made up of men who had made their name in sports such as cricket, boxing and football or the media.
The 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's) was raised in London on the 20 November 1914 by Cunliffe-Owen, became attached to 99th Brigade, 33rd Division in June 1915 and, transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division in December 1915.
Gatehouse link: Born at Rusko House, Anwoth.
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Alexander Douglas Austin
SRoH. 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Douglas Austin. Home: Ingleston, Twynholm.
Mobilised 4th August 1914 with Lanarkshire Yeomanry. Transferred to 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers. Served on Western Front (Hohenzollern Redoubt and 1st Somme). Wounded once at Martinpuich. Promoted from Trooper. Prior to the war was 4 years in the Lanarkshire Yeomanry.
1891 Kirkbean Census, at Ladyland : Alexander Austin (age 1, born London) with father Robert (farmer) and mother Effy + 2 siblings (both born London).
1901 Kelton Census, at Lochdougan : Douglas Austin (11, born England) with brother Robert were visiting Thomas and Jane Douglas and family.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 22nd June 1917: In an article about his brother William, mention of 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Austin, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was wounded at Martinpuich, France (Somme). His brothers Sgt. John Austin, Capt. William Austin and Lieut. Robert Austin are all soldiers and he has a sister who is a nurse.
FreeBMD: Alexander Douglas Austin was born Q4 1889 Mile End, London.
Parents were Robert Austin and Euphemia (Effy) Douglas.
Gatehouse link : Alexander’s parents farmed at Ingleston, and later acquired Boreland of Girthon.
Euphemia Craig Austin
SRoH. Nurse Effie Craig Austin (later Mrs Houston) Overlaw, Kirkcudbright.
Enlisted July 1915. Home service in Military Hospitals. Brought to notice of Secretary of State for War for valuable services.
Rerrick Gravestone: Effie C. Austin died in 1955 (aged 72) with husband David Houston of Overlaw (died 1942 aged 63).
1891 Kirkbean Census, at Ladyland : Effy Austin (6, born London) with father Robert (farmer), mother Effy + 2 brothers (both born London).
1901 Twynholm Census, at Ingleston : Effy Austin (16, born London) with father Robert (farmer), mother Effie, brother William + 3 servants.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 22nd June 1917 about Capt. William Austin says that his brothers Sgt. John Austin, Cpl. Robert Austin and 2nd Lieut. Douglas Austin are all soldiers and he also has a sister who is a nurse.
FreeBMD : Euphemia Craig Austin was born Q4 1884 Mile End, London.
Gatehouse link : Effie’s parents farmed at Ingleston, and later acquired Boreland of Girthon.
John Austin
SRoH. Lieutenant John Austin. Home: Ingleston, Twynholm.
Enlisted 7th October 1914. City of London Yeomanry (R.R.) Transferred to R.A.S.C.
Served Gallipoli (Suvla Bay), Egypt, Salonika (Doiran), Western Front.
1914-15 Star. Promoted from the ranks.
Previously served in Liverpool Scottish and Shanghai Light Horse.
Medal Index card : Austin, John 2214 - served with C(ity) of Lond(on) Yeo(manry) and card shows his promotion from Corporal to Acting Sergeant to Sergeant. Transferred to R.A.S.C. as T/2 Lt. to A/Captain. Served in Egypt from 07/05/1915.
Gained several medals including G.S.M. & Clasp while with the R.A.S.C. in Iraq.
(General Service Medal was awarded for campaign service in more minor campaigns where no specific medal was awarded)
Address: Ingleston, Twynholm, Scotland.
1891 Kirkbean Census, at Ladyland, John Austin (8, born London) with father Robert (farmer), mother Effy + 2 siblings (both born London).
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser : 22nd June 1917:In an article about his brother William, mention of Sergeant John Austin, City of London Yeomanry who has fought in Egypt, Dardanelles and the Balkans. His brothers Cpl. Robert Austin, Capt. William Austin and 2nd Lieut. Douglas Austin are all soldiers and he has a sister who is a nurse.
FreeBMD: John Austin was born Q4 1882 Mile End, London.
John's parents were Robert Austin and Euphemia (Effy) Douglas.
Gatehouse link : John’s parents farmed at Ingleston, and later acquired Boreland of Girthon.
Robert Austin
SRoH. Lieutenant Robert Austin. Home: Boreland, Girthon.
Enlisted February 1915 City of London Yeomanry.
Transferred to 18th Queen Mary’s Own Hussars.
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, Sinai, Salonika, France. Promoted from ranks.
Medal Index Card : Austin, Robert Pte. 2898 C(ity) of Lon(don) Yeo(manry).
Transferred as 2nd Lt. 40487 to 18 (Q.M.O.)Hrs. (18th Queen Mary's Own Hussars). Served in Egypt from 07/05/1915.
Address: Boreland, Girthon, Gatehouse.
1881 London Census : Robert’s father Robert Austin was a Scotch draper.
1891 Kirkbean Census, at Ladyland : Robert Austin (4, born London) with father Robert (farmer) mother Effy + 1 brother and 1 sister (both born London).
1901 Kelton Census, at Lochdougan : Robert Austin (14, born England) with brother Douglas were visitors with Thomas and Jane Douglas and family.
1911 London Census, at 8 Campbell Road, Bow : Robert Austin (24, credit draper ,born Mile End, London) in boarding house run by Mrs Agnes Black.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 22nd June 1917 : In an article about his brother William, mention of Corporal Robert Austin, City of London Yeomanry who has fought in Egypt, Dardanelles and the Balkans. His brothers Sgt. John Austin, Capt. William Austin and 2nd Lieut. Douglas Austin are all soldiers and he has a sister who is a nurse.
FreeBMD: Robert Austin was born Q4 1886 at Mile End, London
Robert's parents were Robert Austin and Euphemia (Effy) Douglas
Gatehouse link : Stewartry Roll of Honour gives home as Boreland of Girthon.
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