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Category: 1914-18 Remembered

During World War One hundreds of young men with Wigtown and district connections went off to fight for their country. More than 70 died between September 1914 and April 1920. Wigtown Community Council salutes the bravery of all those who served and remembers those who never came home.
On the 100th Anniversary of each man’s death we will use this notice board to provide information about him.

Private Alexander Laurie

Photo of Alexander Laurie
Private Alexander Laurie
31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Died 6 June 1916
Private 446910 Alexander Laurie served with the 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was born on 9th October 1891 at East Drummodie, Glasserton, the son of Alexander Laurie, a farmer, and Margaret Laurie, nee McWilliam.  At the time of his …

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Private John Harvey

Private John Harvey
15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
Died 3 July 1916, Battle of the Somme.
John Harvey was born at Sorbie, the son of James and Margaret Harvey. By 1891 the Harveys were living in Wigtown where they stayed at 9 South Back Street with James working as a …

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Private Leslie Kennedy

Photo of Leslie Kennedy's grave stone
Private Leslie Kennedy
15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
Died 9 July 1916
Leslie Kennedy was born on 14 September 1892 at High Street, Wigtown, the eldest son Alexander Kennedy, an agricultural labourer, and his wife, Martha Kennedy, nee White. He enlisted in the army at Glasgow and may have worked …

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Private William Black

Private William Black
6th/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
Died 16 September 1916
William McHaffie Black was born on 5/10/1886 at Craigoch Park Farm near Portpatrick, the son of William Black (a ploughman) and Janet Black nee Mann. William snr’s work as a ploughman meant the family moved from farm to …

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Private John McDowall

Private John McDowall

2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Died 26 April 1916

John McDowall was born on 12 September 1880 at Elrig, the son of farm labourer John McDowall and his wife Jessie McDowall (nee McCreadie). He was part of a large family with 5 brothers and 2 sisters. His …

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Private Thomas McCheyne

thomas mc cheyne

Private Thomas McCheyne
2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Died 26 April 1916

Private 81625 Thomas McCheyne was born on 18 August 1889 at Kirkinner, the son of Thomas Candlish McCheyne (a gamekeeper) and his wife, Elizabeth (nee McClelland). He was one of four local men to die in the war who …

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