Pair succumb to malaria and battle wounds

Dark days as news arrives of double deaths

Killearn was dealt a double blow with the news that two soldiers from the village had died.

Mrs Morrison, grocer, Blacklands received official word her eldest son, William, had succumbed to malaria while serving in Egypt.

The Observer said: “He joined the Royal Engineers four years ago and had always been in unusual good health.

“His letters home were always bright and hopeful and the sudden news of his death was a severe shock to his mother.”

Mr Gordon, also of Blacklands, was informed his son Peter had died of wounds in No2 General Hospital, France.

He had been with the Scots Guards for two and a half years.

Mr Gordon was telegraphed from France with the news his son had been hurt but the Scots Guardsman died soon after.

The Observer added: “The sympathy of the village, parish and district goes out to both families in their sore bereavement.

*** The death was also confirmed of Lt John B Lawson, 41st Australian Infantry Battalion, whose mother lived at 8 Union Street, Stirling. The lieutenant was the second of Mrs Lawson’s sons to die.

On August 8, 1918, Lieutenant Lawson was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during operations near Hamel, France.

The Observer wrote: “He mounted a tank, entered a wood where a dugout was mopped up, killing and capturing 70 Germans.

“Although wounded early in the advance, Lt Lawson remained on duty under trying difficulties.’’

For his heroic deeds the gallant lieutenant was warmly congratulated by Lt Gen WR Birdwood, the Australian Commander.’ Before emigrating to Australia before the war, Lt Lawson worked in the Registrar’s Office at Kirkcaldy, where he was well known.

***