Couple receive devastating news they had lost second son to war

A Stirling couple learned the devastating news that they had lost a second son to the war. Mr and Mrs Turnbull, 56 Lower Bridge Street, received information that son Thomas, who was 29 and lived in Whins of Milton, had died from meningitis in a hospital. The former East Plean miner emigrated to Canada eight years earlier but joined the Canadian contingent and went to France in 1916. Younger brother David, who before the war worked as a grocer with Mr Lamont, Whins of Milton, had also died in the conflict.

Pte William Grindlay (22), serving with the A&SH, was reported killed in action on May 27, 1917. The son of Mr James Grindlay, police constable, 45 Broad Street, Stirling, he enlisted two years earlier and went to France in September 1915. He suffered a lip wound in July of 1916. Before the war, Pte Gindlay worked as a moulder at Camelon. His 22-year-old younger brother was serving in the Navy .

A footballer well known in Cowie and Stirling died in the fighting. Pte Harry Taylor, whose parents lived in Prince’s Park, Falkirk, made the ultimate sacrifice on May 27, 1917. He played as a junior for Cowie Wanderers and later King’s Park FC, Stirling , before wearing the jerseys of both Falkirk and Stenhousemuir. “He was an agreeable young man and played many good games for the Stirling club, at outside left,” said the Observer. He worked with Callander Coal Company and enlisted at the start of the war. He been wounded twice.

Pte Dan Stewart, A&SH, reported missing on April 23, 1917, was now said to have been killed in action on that date. He worked as apprentice draper with Messrs Inglis and Smith and later for Mr GK Jenkins . Pte Stewart had also worked in business with his sister in Folkestone. Well known in music circles, he had a good voice and was an enthusiastic member of Stirling Choral Society and also the Operatic Society. He joined up in March, 1916, and had been in France for 12 months.

Malarial fever was reported to have claimed the life of Sgt Robert Gunn who was serving with the Royal Field Artillery in Salonica, Greece, at the time. He was the second son of ex-colour sergeant James Gunn, formerly of the Seaforth Highlanders, and Mrs Gunn of Ballengeich Cottages, Stirling. Sgt Gunn was 32 and had been in the Army for 15 years. His battery was one of the first to cross to France at the start of the war and he took part in the Battle of Mons and engagements at Marne. He was invalided home but recovered and returned to France before being posted to Greece where he had been stationed for 18 months. His brother, Alexander, died nine months earlier while serving in Mesopotamia (Iraq).

Sgt Harry Marshall (275111), A&SH, was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. The former miner was a member of the Stirling Territorial Battalion and lived at 60 Baker Street, Stirling.

There was relief for Mr John Merrilees, plumber, Friars Street, Stirling, who received notification that his son John, a lieutenant with the Gordon Highlanders, had been wounded. It was initially said he was missing but later a letter dated June 20, 1917, arrived from the lieutenant stating he had come through the engagement but was wounded. He had served with the Stirling area Territorial Battalion but was wounded and after recovery received a commission with the Gordon Highlanders.