Family’s immense push for war effort

Eleven members serving their King and country

A family’s mighty contribution to the war effort was outlined in the Observer of 100 years ago this week.

No fewer than 11 members of the family of Mr and Mrs Robert Rough, Middle Craigs, were serving their country. The couple had been both married twice and between them had 30 children.

Mrs Rough,originally from Tillicoultry, had given birth to 21 children of whom only seven, three sons and four daughters, survived. The father of all her children was her first husband, a Mr Turnbull. Her 21 children came into the world in the following order: five daughters in succession, then five sons, then five daughters and finally six sons. Mrs Rough also had 35 grandchildren.

After years of widowhood, she married Mr Rough who brought nine children to the household. They were born in St Ninians and comprised four daughters and five sons.

And Mrs Rough was also brought up a third family – the ‘wee buddies’ – who were the four motherless children of a Gordon Highlander who was serving at the Front with his regiment.

Serving with the Colours from the extended family were three Turnbulls, four Roughs and four sons-in-law.

Among them, the one who had achieved most distinction on the battlefield was Cpl James Turnbull, 7th A&SH (Stirlingshire Territorials) who had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and also the Russian Cross of St George (3rd Class) for conspicuous bravery at the Front.

The Observer added: “Despite her maternal cares Mrs Rough is a cheery woman with little trace of the many trials and troubles that have been her portion, and her husband is also well preserved and in regular employment as a carter at Millhall Colliery.

“They have some reason to be proud of the service the members of their respective families are rendering to the nation at this time of crisis.”