World War I Gallery

[Penny Tray]

Private William Cairns, (23), was killed in action; husband of Agnes Butler Cairns, 26 Wellpark Road, Saltcoats, and son of Robert and Sarah Cairns, 37 Barr Place, Ardrossan: -

[Scott McCallum]

Trooper James Cairns would have been my great-uncle, a brother to my grand-father, Thomas Cairns. A great uncle that I never even knew that I had.
Scott McCallum

[Penny Tray]

Scott,

You may be aware that anything I post regarding the First World War is an interpretation of notes inherited from my late brother who had been working on some project. The following information is included amongst his notes relating to James Cairns: -

DATE: 9 May, 1917.
NAME: James Cairns.
REGIMENT: Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line. Household Battalion C Company.
RANK: Private.
SERVICE NUMBER: 1924.
LINK TO AREA: Enlisted at Saltcoats.
THEATRE OF WAR: France and Flanders.
WHERE BURIED OR COMMEMORATED: Arras Memorial Bay 1.
CAMPAIGN MEDALS: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
COMMENTS: Son of Thomas and Helen Bryan Cairns; Husband of Henrietta McKie Cairns and father of two daughters, 14 Raise Street, Saltcoats; brother-in-law of John Cairns, 10 Raise, Street, Saltcoats.

There are also two relevant newspaper cuttings, one clearly published while he was missing in action, and the second when finally presumed dead: -

FIRST:

“Trooper James Cairns, Household Cavalry, reported missing is 30 years of age and belongs to Saltcoats. He is married, and his wife and two children reside at 14 Raise Street, Saltcoats.

Trooper Cairns, who joined the Army a year ago, was previously employed with Ardrossan Co-operative Society as a salesman in Saltcoats, and was well known in the town. He also for some time was engaged with Ardrossan Shipbuilding Company.

Any information regarding him will be thankfully received by his wife.”

SECOND:

“Trooper James Cairns, Household Battalion, aged 30 years, reported missing on 9th May, 1917, is now officially presumed killed on that date.

Before enlisting he was employed in the Ardrossan Shipyard, and previously as a coal salesman with Ardrossan Co-operative Society for two years.

He leaves a wife and two children who reside at 14 Raise Street, Saltcoats.

Three brothers are still serving with the colours.”

I hope this information ties in with your theory that Trooper James Cairns is a great-uncle!

[Penny Tray]

Sapper Gilbert Gordon Campbell, died in hospital of dysentery in Dar-es-Salaam; son of Boyd Campbell, and husband of Jean Douglas Tennant Campbell, 11 Eglinton Place, Saltcoats: -

[Scott McCallum]

Thanks PT - I am sure that it is my great uncle.

[Penny Tray]

Sapper William Campbell, (26), died on service of pneumonia; brother of Mrs William Russell, Rockyknowe, Saltcoats: -

[Penny Tray]

Second Lieutenant R. C. Wilkie was wounded, missing in action, found to be a prisoner of war, and repatriated on 18 December, 1918; son of Mr and Mrs R. C. Wilkie, grocer, Saltcoats: -

[Penny Tray]

Private George Cartner, (29), was killed in action; son of Mr and Mrs William Cartner, 9 Winton Buildings, Ardrossan: -

[Penny Tray]

Driver James Chestnut, (21), died on service in a hospital abroad; son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Chestnut, 38 Raise Street, Saltcoats: -

[Penny Tray]

Second Lieutenant William Frederick Hunter Clark, (22), died of wounds in a hospital; son of Mr and Mrs John McNeil Clark, Saltcoats: -

[Penny Tray]

Private Thomas Clinton, (23), was killed in action; son of Edward and Mary Clinton, 81 Princes Street, Ardrossan: -

[Penny Tray]

Private John Coey, (20), was killed in action; son of John and Annie Coey, 11 Union Street, Saltcoats: -