Roll of Honour - Ayrshire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

COLMONELL WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and copyright © Eric McQuarrie 2005

This memorial is in the village of Colmonell, Ayrshire. It stands high up with stone steps leading up to a walled monument. Those for the First World War are listed by Rank, Surname and Forename, those for the Second World War by Rank, Surname and Initial. For ease of reading these have been sorted into alphabetical order within conflict. There is a Roll of Honour which includes these names within the church.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN
HONOURED MEMORY OF THE MEN
OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN
THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

AIRD	James [Gilbert]	Second Lieutenant, 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action 1st July 1916. Aged 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Aird, of 7, Winton Circus, Saltcoats, Ayrshire. A Law Student (Glasgow University). No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D and on the family grave in Colmonell graveyard. Photograph Copyright © Lorna Conaghan 2014
BELL	Alexander	Lance Corporal 59464, 12th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Died of wounds 3rd October 1918. Aged 19. Born Barr, Ayrshire, enlisted Ayr, resident Colmonell. Son of James and Margaret Bell, of Dalquhandy Farm, Coalburn, Lanarkshire. Formerly 2/6332, 53rd Training Reserve Battalion and 56997, Highland Light Infantry. Buried in TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION. Hainaut, Belgium. Plot I. Row E. Grave 9.
CAITENS	John	Private 22973, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Died 30th July 1916. Born and resident Pinwherry, enlisted Ayr. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 3 C.
CALDWELL	James	Private 278847, 1st/7th Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders). Died 10th April 1917. Aged 24. Born Colmonell, enlisted Paisley, Renfrewshire, resident Glasgow, Lanarkshire. Son of Mrs. Annie Caldwell, of Colmonell, Ayrshire; husband of Annie McMastis Caldwell, of 28, Sinclair St., Milngavie, Dumbartonshire. Buried in AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row L. Grave 22.
DAVIDSON	John	Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Border Regiment. Died of wounds 15th October 1917. Aged 32. Son of the late William and Annabella Davidson, of Colmonell, Ayrshire. M.A. (Hons.) Edinburgh. Buried in NEUFCHATEL-HARDELOT (NEUFCHATEL) CHURCHYARD, Pas de Calais, France. Grave 8. Photograph Copyright © Lorna Conaghan 2014
DRYNAN	James Hugh St Clair	Second Lieutenant, 5th Battalion (Territorial), Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Killed in action 8th May 1918. Aged 25. Son of David and Jane S. Drynan, of "The Yett," Colmonell, Ayrshire. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 68 to 70 and 162 and 162A.
GILL	Charles	Private - No further information currently available
GRACIE	John Hyslop	[Listed as Private] Guardsman 15827, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Killed in action 15 October 1918. Aged 25. Born Ballantrai (sic), Ayrshire, enlisted Maybole, Ayrshire. Son of James and Charlotte Gracie, of Glenour, Pinwherry, Ayrshire. Buried in CARNIERES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 8.
HALDANE	Andrew Campbell	Corporal 295524, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 25 September 1918. Born Patrick, Glasgiow, enlisted Glasgow, resident Hillhead, Glasgow. Buried in MOEUVRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Nord, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 10.
HALDANE	William Eddie (Edward)	Serjeant 28378, 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Died 25 October 1918. Born Glasgow, enlisted Lanark, resident Hillhead. Formerly 848, Lanarkshire Yeomanry. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Section S. Plot II. Row II. Grave 8.
HEARTON	Samuel	Private 7020, 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Died of wounds at gallipoli 14 July 1915. Born and enlisted Maybole, Ayrshire. IN the 1901 Scotland Census he was aged 6, born Maybole, Ayrshire, son of Samuel and Mary Hearton, a scholar, resident with his parents in High Street, Inces Close, Maybole. Entered the Balkans 6 June 1915. Buried in LANCASHIRE LANDING CEMETERY, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Plot/Row/Section D. Grave 50.
INGLIS	Andrew	Private - No further information currently available
JOHNSTONE	Edward J	Private - No further information currently available
KELLY	Joseph	Private - No further information currently available
KELLY	Thomas	Private - No further information currently available
LINDEN	Alexander	Private - No further information currently available
McCALLUM	John D	Private - No further information currently available
McCLUNG	James	Private - No further information currently available
McCONNEL	Merrick Hugh	Major, "B" Battery, 295th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 14th September 1917. Aged 32. Son of William Houldsworth McConnel and Florence McConnel, of Heath End House, Basingstoke; husband of M. C. McConnel, of Polydores, Holmer Green, Amersham, Bucks. Educated at Winchester. Buried in LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIX. Row B. Grave 3.
McCONNOCHIE	William Jamieson	Second Lieutenant, 5th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action 8th November 1915. Aged 28. Son of Thomas McConnochie, of Ayr. Buried in LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row A. Grave 2.
McCREADIE	John Foster	[Listed as Trooper] Private 295367, 12th (Ayr and Lanalk Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 30 June 1918. Aged 25. Born Ballantrae, Ayrshire, enlisted Ayr. Son of Helen Foster, of 83, Glendowne St., Girvan, and the late John Foster. Buried in NIEPPE-BOIS (RUE-DU-BOIS) BRITISH CEMETERY, VIEUX-BERQUIN, Nord, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 8.
McCREATH	George	Piper - No further information currently available
McCREATH	Hugh	Private - No further information currently available
McCREATH	Thomas	Private - No further information currently available
McCRINDLE	John	Private - No further information currently available
McEWEN	James Robert Dundas	[Spelt McEWAN on SDGW] Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 12th October 1916. Aged 20. Son of Robert Finnie McEwen and Mary Frances McEwen, of Bardrochat, Colmonell, Ayrshire. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 3 C.
McKENZIE	Charles	Private - No further information currently available
McKENZIE	Donald	Stoker probably Donald McKENZIE, Chief Engineer, Steam Trawler "Grecian Prince" (North Shields), Mercantile Marine. Died 15th December 1918. Aged 46. Son of the late Donald and Catherine McKenzie; husband of Jessie McKenzie (nee Mellis), of 67, Fonthill Rd., Aberdeen. Born at Nairn. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London.
McMAIL	William	Serjeant 241019, 1st/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action in Palestine 26th October 1917. Aged 21. Born at Colmonell, enlisted Ayr, resident Pinmore, Ayrshire. Buried in GAZA WAR CEMETERY, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Plot XXXI. Row A. Grave 6.
McNELLIE	Robert	Private - No further information currently available
McWHIRTER	William	Lance Corporal 42122, 17th (Service) Battalion (3rd Glasgow), Highland Light Infantry. Died of wounds 2nd December 1917. Aged 28. Born Ballantrae, enlisted Ayr, resident Colmonell. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David McWhirter, of Ballantrae, Ayrshire; husband of Dorothy MCorkindale (formerly McWhirter), of Lorn Place, Glebe St., Campbeltown, Argyllshire. Formerly 28813, Scottish Rifles. Buried in DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row D. Grave 12.
MEIKLE	Gilbert	Private 8356, 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action at Gallipoli 12 July 1915. Aged 21. Enlisted Ayr, resident Ballantrae, Ayrshire. Son of Robert and Mary Meikle,of Ballantrae, Ayr. No known grave. Commemorated on HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Addenda Panel
MURRAY	William	Private 40948, 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Glasgow), Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 18th November 1916. Aged 27. Born Edinburgh, enlisted Ayr, resident Colmonell. Husband of Annie Murray, of 1, Jane St., Colmonell, Ayrshire. Formerly 2646, Royal Scots Fusiliers. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 15 C.
PRICHARD	Frederick Giles	Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds in hopsital 9th August 1915. Aged 23. Born 23 August 1891. Son of the Rev Charles Collwyn Prichard (1846 – 1918) and Mrs Margaret Jane Prichard (1853 – 1921) (née McConnel, eldest daughter of William McConnel of Manchester and Knockdolian); brother of Francis and Rowland (below). Foundation Scholar of Marlborough College, RMA Sandhurst, commissioned in 1911 into The 15th (East Yorkshire Regiment). After serving a year at Aldershot he spent 3 years in India. On return to England he went immediately to France. He was invalided with frost bite but returned to France in late April 1915. He was severely wounded on 3 May 1915 as he was moving up to the trenches near Zillebeke, Ypres. He was brought to the hospital at Boulogne and then to Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital at Millbank, London (13 May 1915). His head wound in particular was inoperable. He died peacefully at Millbank. Buried in ST. PETER CHURCHYARD, ALRESFORD, Essex. Also commemorated on memorials at Marlborough College and Alresford, Essex.
Photograph Copyright © Lorna Conaghan 2014 Prichard Portrait Photographs and Biographies (above and below) Copyright © Rupert Prichard 2014
PRICHARD	Francis Hesketh aka Frank	Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery and Royal Flying Corps. Died of Typhus in Russia 1st February 1920. Aged 31. Born 2 October 1888. Son of the Rev Charles Collwyn Prichard (1846 – 1918) and Mrs Margaret Jane Prichard (1853 – 1921) (née McConnel, eldest daughter of William McConnel of Manchester and Knockdolian); brother of Frwederick (above) and Rowland (below). Classical Scholar of Cheltenham College. Passed 3rd into the RMA Woolwich. Stationed at Shoeburyness, Plymouth and Alderney before Mauritius in 1909; then back to Puckpool Battery on the Isle of Wight. Attached in the Great War to the Royal Flying Corps as an Observer. A member of 8 Squadron based at Oxelaere near Cassel he took off on a reconnaissance mission on 2 June 1915. His aircraft ditched in the sea just 400m from the Dutch coast. He was interned in Holland at HMS Timbertown, Groningen for the rest of the War. Volunteered and sent after the War to the British Military Mission in South Russia. Buried in Novorossisk New Cemetery and commemorated on HAIDAR PASHA MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Screen Wall. Panel 9. Also commemorated on Cheltenham College Memorial.
PRICHARD	Rowland George	Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. After only 11 days in France he was mortally wounded on 27th April 1915 leading his men into action near Gravenstafel, Ypres. [CWC and SDGW state Killed in action 24th April 1915.] Born 23rd September 1895. Son of the Rev Charles Collwyn Prichard (1846 – 1918) and Mrs Margaret Jane Prichard (1853 – 1921) (née McConnel, eldest daughter of William McConnel of Manchester and Knockdolian); brother of Francis and Frederick (above) .Philpott Scholar of Hereford Cathedral School and accepted for matriculation at Brasenose College Oxford, but instead, after three years in the OTC he joined the Special Reserve and was commissioned into The Suffolk Regiment in September 1914 and served initially at Felixstowe. In April 1915 he went France. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21. Also commemorated on memorials at Hereford Cathedral; Brasenose College, Oxford; and St Peter’s Alresford, Essex.
RENNIE	Andrew	Corporal - No further information currently available
RENNIE	Ebenezer	Lance Corporal - No further information currently available
RITCHIE	William Fox	Sergeant 283, 12th Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders). Killed in action in Salonika 19th September 1918. Aged 31. Born Bothwell, Lanarkshire, enlisted Ayr, resident Colmonell. Son of George and Margaret Fox Ritchie, of Oaknowe, Colmonell, Ayrshire. Born at Bellshill, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Served six years with the 1st Bn. in Malta and India, prior to the War. Buried in DOIRAN MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece. Plot VI. Row A. Grave 17.
STEEL	Thomas Scott	Private - No further information currently available
TEMPLETON	James	Private 59801, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots. Died 26 January 1920. Aged 23. Husband of Jessie Templeton, of New Cottages, Ballantrae. Buried in BALLANTRAE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Ayrshire. Grave 303.
TINN	Farquhar Gray	Lieutenant, 5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion (Territorial), Highland Light Infantry. Died 6th November 1916. Buried in South-West corner of PARISH CHURCHYARD, COLMONELL, Ayrshire.
WATSON	[Robert] Boyd	Able Seaman J/15708, H.M.S. "Vivid". Royal Navy. Died from disease 25th April 1916. Born 31st March 1916 at Stranraer. Son of Mary Watson, of Bellamy, Colmonell, Ayrshire. Buried in PLYMOUTH (FORD PARK) CEMETERY, Devon. Church Plot S. Row 2. Grave 16.
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE THESE MADE THE SAME SACRIFICE 1939-1945
ARNOTT	William	Flight Sergeant 642204, 269 Suqadron, Royal Air Force. Died 1 March 1943. Aged 22. Son of Charles and Helen Arnott, of Colmonell, Ayrshire. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Panel 135.
BRECHIN	William Atholl	Captain 180342, 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Died 12 DCecember 1942. Aged 21. Son of William and Mabel Brechin, of Stinchar, Ayrshire. Buried in BENGHAZI WAR CEMETERY, Libya. Plot *. Row G. Grave 10.
CLARK	William Turner	Private 948303, Pioneer Corps. Died 25 February 1945. Aged 26. Son of William and Margaret Clark; husband of Jean Clark, of Langholm, Dumfriesshire. Buried in COLMONELL CEMETERY, Ayrshire. Grave 1000.
COPES	David	Flight Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 651371, 86 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 20 December 1941. Aged 23. Son of James and Annie Copes, of Ballantrae. Buried in COLMONELL CEMETERY, Ayrshire. Grave 175.
CRAWFORD	S	Sergeant possibly Samuel CRAWFORD, Serjeant 3193257, 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Died 28 August 1944. Aged 27. Husband of Joseann Crawford, of Kelhead, Dumfriesshire. Buried in ST. PIERRE-DU-VAUVRAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Eure, France. Grave 14.
GRANT, TD	Pharic Alastair	Lieutenant Colonel 34730, 110 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 16 November 1944. Aged 37. Son of Colonel Pharic Grant, T.D., R.A. and Grace Darling Grant, of Ardmillan, Girvan, Ayrshire. Awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD). Buried in LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY, Limburg, Belgium. Plot III. Row C. Grave 3.
HERRON	John	Lance Corporal 2759918, 2nd Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Died between 28 and 29 May 1941. Aged 25. Son of Alexander and Elizabeth Grange Herron, of Pinmore, Ayrshire. No known grave. Commemorated on ATHENS MEMORIAL, Greece. Face 6.
LANG	E	[Listed as Lance Corporal] Private 3192247, 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Died 7 June 1944. Aged 25. Son of Edward and Marion Lang, of Girvan, Ayrshire. Buried in HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot 1. Row O. Grave 1.
LANG	John	Aircraftman 1st Class 1570573, 2834 Squadron, R.A.F. Regiment, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 23 November 1943. Aged 22. Son of Edward and Marion Lang, of Girvan. Buried in COLMONELL CEMETERY, Ayrshire. Grave 176.
McGILLIVRAY	William	Flying Officer (Pilot) 150505, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 2 November 1944. Aged 23. Son of James G. and Mary B. McGillivray, of Ayr. B.Sc. Buried in HOTTON WAR CEMETERY, Luxembourg, Belgium. Plot VIII. Row A. Grave 12.
POTTS	Samuel Hainey	[Listed as Flight Sergeant] Sergeant (Observer) 580464, 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 21 December 1939. Aged 23. Son of James Potts and of Jessie Potts (nee Hainey), of Colmonell, Ayrshire. Buried in CHEVINGTON CEMETERY, Northumberland. Section BB. Grave 95.
RENNIE	Gordon [James]	Corporal 4806018, 5/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died 29 August 1944. Aged 29. Buried in ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 9.
SIMPSON	Alexander	Private 2932891, 6th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Died 30 July 1944. Aged 25. Son of Alexander and Helen McCreadie Simpson, of Colmonell, Ayrshire. Buried in FLORENCE WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot X. Row D. Grave 7.
TINN	Farquhar Gray George	Pilot Officer (Pilot) 156693, 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 29 January 1944. Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY, Berlin, Germany. Plot 5. Row G. Collective grave 30-34.
TINN	Peter Norman	Captain 65688, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment). Died 20 October 1942. Aged 23. Son of Norman A. Tinn, and of Margaret Amy Tinn, of Colmonell. Mentioned in Despatches. Buried in COLMONELL CEMETERY, Ayrshire. Grave 121.

Last updated 21 July, 2021

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