THE FALLEN OF SHOTTS DISTRICT 1939 – 1945

63426 P/Officer Ian McM. AITCHISON  Royal Air Force

Ian was killed in action on Tuesday 30^th of September 1941, age 25.
He was part of 58 Squadron, R.A.F. son of Mr and Mrs  Francis Alexander Aitchison, and Irene Mary Aitchison,
husband of Kathleen Iris Aitchison of Stubbington, Hampshire. Ian has no known grave and is commemorated on

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey, England. Panel 31.

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1558122 Sgt. Thomas BOLAND   Royal Air Force  460 Squadron.

Thomas was killed in action on Tuesday 20^th of April 1942, age 22.

As He does not appear in Bomber Command losses for 1942, it can be assumed that 460 Squadron was part of Fighter Command. 
Thomas was the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas and Flora Boland nee McCormick of Shotts.  Sgt. Boland has no known grave and is commemorated on –

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey, England. Panel 143.

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D/KX 82060 Petty/Officer. Stoker. Andrew W. BROWN * Royal Navy

Andrew was killed in action on Saturday 23^rd of October 1943, when his Ship, the Anti-Aircraft Dido class Cruiser H.M.S. Charybdis was torpedoed at 0130 hrs, 18 miles north east of Roscoff, Brittany (48-59N 03-39W), by German Torpedo BoatsT23 and  T27, during a sweep of the channel in search of a suspected enemy convoy. Two torpedoes hit H.M.S. Charybdis and she capsized quickly, sinking at 0230 with the loss of 464 men, there were 107 survivors. The Charybdis and seven Destroyers had been picked up by German Radar, which gave their exact position; this led to the German Torpedo boats being able to surprise the British Warships. Andrew was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs James Anderson Brown, and Marion Morton Brown, of 2 Windsor Place, Shotts, husband of Doris Gunborg Brown, of Halsingborg, Sweden. He had joined the navy in 1931. As the sea is Andrew’s last resting place, He is commemorated on –
PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Surrey, England. Panel 81. Column 3.

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2826268 L/Sgt. Edward CAIN  Cameronians 2^nd Btn.

Edward was killed in action on Wednesday 31^st of May 1944, at Anzio, Italy, age 23. He was the youngest son of
Mr and Mrs Edward Cain, 18 Kingshill Road, Allanton. In May 1944,  L/Sgt. Cain was awarded the first decoration
to come to Allanton in the 1939 – 45 war. Previous to enlistment Edward was a Staff/ Sgt. in No. 1 Coy.Allanton Boys Brigade,
and was a messenger at the Allanton post of Wardens Service, his father was an officer in No. 4 Platoon Allanton Home Guard.
Edward was born in Lanarkshire.  He is buried in –

BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, Anzio, Italy. Plot XX. Row B. Gr. No. 4.

Sgt. Thomas CAIRNEY  United States Forces

Sgt. Cairney died in action early in 1945. He was the son of Mr and MrsThomas Cairney, 112 Station Road, Shotts. 

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3246947 Sgt. James CAMPBELL  Recon. Corp. R.A.C.

James was killed in action on Saturday 14^th of April 1945,  during the fighting in Northern Italy as a result of head wounds age 24. 
He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Richard, and Margaret Campbell of 28 Houldworth Crescent, Allanton, his father  was a private  
in the C.M.P.V.R. in Germany. James was a Territorial in the Cameronians before the war, and had been over two years in Italy.
Before enlisting He worked at Kingshill No.1 Colliery. James is buried in –

FAENZA WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot II. Row C. Grave No. 17.

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3248032 Cpl. Robert D. CAMPBELL  Cameronians 10^th Btn.

 Robert died on active service on Wednesday 2^nd of November 1942.
He was the son of Lilias Campbell, Allanton, Shotts. Robert is buried in –

SHOTTS (KIRK OF SHOTTS) Cemetery, Lanarkshire,
Sect. A Northern Part, Grave 203.

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P/JX 170173 Boy 1^st Class William M. CONCHIE Royal Navy

William was killed in action on Saturday 24^th of May 1941, age 16.

Perhaps the saddest of all the names on Shotts Memorial, because of his youth.
 William was serving on HMS. Hood in action against the German Battleship  Bismarck.
HMS Hood was hit by a salvo of shells from the Bismarck; the cause of the massive
explosion which occurred has never been solved. HMS Hood was located in North Atlantic,
 Denmark Strait when sunk, total casualties lost, 1,418, survivors 3.

William was the son of Lizzie S. Conchie, Eastriggs, Dumfriesshire.
As the sea is his last resting place He is commemorated on the –

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire, England. Panel 51, Col. 3.

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                            Sgt/ Pilot James CRAIG  Royal Air Force 255 Sqdn.

                            


James died in action on Friday 29^th of August 1941.

He was the son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Craig, 7 Calder  Drive, Shotts,
 and had been 10 years in the RAF. James  was a former pupil of Wishaw
High School, where he was a student from 1926 – 1929. James is buried in -

KIRTON-IN- LINDSEY BURIAL GROUND, Lincolnshire, Block A, Grave 92.

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3060119 Pte. Thomas A. EGLINTON  West Yorkshire Regt. 1^st Btn.

 Thomas was killed in action on Sunday 28^th of May 1944, during the
Battle of Imphal, India, one of the most vicious of the whole war and a
turning point in the war against the Japanese. 
Son of Mr and Mrs James Duff, husband of Elizabeth Eglinton, Dalkeith, Mid Lothian. Thomas is buried in –

IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY, India. Plot 6. Row B. Grave No.6.

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1568157 Cpl. Albert T. ELLIS  Northamptonshire Regiment 

Albert was killed in action on Tuesday 17^th of April 1944, age 34. He was
killed by a mortar bomb while leading a section in Italy, and had been in
the army five years, serving overseas for three years, having been in North
Africa and Italy.
His Major paid the following tribute to Cpl. Ellis;
“ He served with great coolness, courage, and gallantry”. 
Albert was born in London, the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas and Jane Ellis nee Storrie,
 husband of Susan Ellis nee Denny of 8 Dee Street, Shotts, they had one child.
Albert was a former pupil of St Patrick's School, Shotts. He is buried in –

FAENZA WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot 11. Row E. Grave No. 6.

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                           173575 P/Officer John EYRE  Royal Air Force

                         
John was killed in action on Saturday 2^nd of December 1944 during the Defence of Malta, age 25. 
The son of Mr and   Mrs  Mr and Mrs James and Janet Eyre of Shotts, and a former pupil of
Wishaw High School. 
John has no known grave and is commemorated on the –

MALTA MEMORIAL, Malta. Panel 13. Column. 1.

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2816906 Pte. George GIBSON  Seaforth Highlanders 2^nd Battalion

George died of wounds on Wednesday 5^th of June 1940, received whilst in

Action in France, age 29. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Gibson, Nithsdale Street, Dykehead; husband of Margaret Gibson, Shotts, and was born in Lanarkshire.  George is buried in –

ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine – Maritime, France

Plot 4. Row O. Grave No. 13.

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Sgt. A.  GRAHAM  Royal Air Force

Awaiting details.

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1343505 W.Op./Gnr. James S. GUNN Royal Air Force 38 Squadron

James was killed in action on Monday 20^th of September 1943, in the
Middle East, he was 20 years old. Son of Mr and Mrs Andrew and
Elizabeth Gunn, King Street, Dykehead, Shotts. Previous to enlisting
James was employed as a plumber with Shotts Iron Company Ltd.,
and was part time assistant operator at Shotts Empire Theatre.
He was a young man of likeable disposition and the sympathy of
the whole community went out to his parents and relatives. James is buried in –

BENGHAZI WAR CEMETERY, Libya Plot 3. Row D. Grave No. 32.

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F/Off./Bomber J. L. HADDOW  Royal Air Force  12^th Squadron

F/Officer Haddow was killed in action on Thursday 29^th of April, 1943,
age 21. The following official report into his death is as follows,-

Lancaster III ED408 PH-A Bomber took off from Wickenby Airfield on Operation Gardening
in the code-named Elderberry Region. Presumed lost over the target area.
Three bodies were recovered including F/Off. Haddow. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Stephen
and Ann Haddow, 12 Kirk Road, Shotts, husband of Elsie May Haddow, of Southall, Middlesex.
He had attended Calderhead School, and had been a telegraph boy then a postman before enlisting.
F/Officer Haddow is buried in –

MALBORK COMMUNAL WAR CEMETERY, Poland.

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14273276 Fusilier. Malcolm HAGGART  Royal Fusiliers

Malcolm was killed in action on Sunday 11^th of November 1943, in The
Minturno Region during the Italian campaign, age 19.  He was in the city
of London Regiment, born in Lanarkshire, the son of Mr and Mrs James
and Isabella Haggart, of Dykehead, Shotts. Malcolm is buried in –

MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot III. Row T. Grave No. 7.

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14749067 Pte. Frank HAILSTONE  Cameron Highlanders

Frank was killed in action on Friday 17^th of November 1944, in Holland 
age 18.  Son of Annie and the late Thomas Hailstone, of 8 Windsor Place.
Frank was born in Shotts on the 28^th of November 1925, and was educated
at Dykehead and Calderhead Schools. He worked in Shotts Laundry, and
Shotts Iron Works and was a  former member of Shotts YMCA. Boys Club.  Frank is buried in –

MOOK WAR CEMETERY, Netherlands. Plot IV. Row A. Grave No. 12.

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1356436 WOp/ Air Gun. Sgt. David HENDERSON  Royal Air Force

David was killed in action on Thursday 2^nd of April 1942, age 28 while
on a mission over enemy territory. The official report states that Sgt.
Henderson’s Wellington Bomber Mk.III X3410 – DX,  57 Squadron,
took off at 2120 hours from Feltwell Airfield, target Hanau, Germany
During which it was lost. all the crew including Sgt. Henderson were killed. 
He was the son of Mr and Mrs John and Christina Henderson, of Shotts, 
pre – war he had worked at Dykehead and Shotts Co – Op, and was a keen
member of the YMCA.  David is buried in –

RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY, Germany.

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                       219231 2/Lt. Hugh HENDRY  Highland Light Inf. 6^th Bn.

Hugh died on active service on Sunday 14^th of December  1941, age 28.
He had only been commissioned a few weeks  earlier, being the first Shotts
soldier to be commissioned during the war.A soldier of the Regular Army,
Lieut. Hendry served during the Dunkirk action and later entered Sandhurst
where he prepared for his higher post. He died in a Scottish Military Hospital.
Born in Lanarkshire, the son of Mr and Mrs John Hendry of Robert Street, Dykehead. Hugh is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts, Lanarkshire. Section B. Grave No. 304.

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                          1552301 Sgt/Pilot Robert INGLIS  R. A. F.  61 Squadron.

 Robert died on active service on Sunday 13^th of December  1942,
age 21. The following is the Official report of his  death in action -

Robert was part of the crew of Lancaster Bomber I  R5699 QR. which took of from
Syerston Airfield at 1716 hours, destination Munchen Germany, returned to Base early due
to failure of intercom system. While approaching the airfield the Lancaster was caught in a
severe downdraft and crashed short of the runway at 2030 hours.  Robert was the eldest
son of Mr and Mrs Robert Inglis, 43 Bon Accord Crescent, Dykehead. He had received his
flying instructions in Canada and U.S.A. where he gained his wings for both the RAF, and
United States Air Corps. “Ronnie” as he was mostly known was a former pupil of Wishaw
High School, and was employed before enlistment in the Laboratory of the Shotts Iron Works,
and was a much-respected young man in the community. 

He is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts,  Section B. Grave 348.

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                        1343286 Sgt./Pilot Thomas LAIDLAW  Royal Air Force

                      
Thomas died on active service on Saturday 24^th of March 1945, age 24, on a bombing raid over Germany.
He was the son of Mr and Mrs William and Agnes W. Laidlaw of 18 Unity Park,         

Shotts, husband of Audrey Holland of  Manchester; they were married in 1944.
Tom was educated at Dykehead and Wishaw High Schools, and was employed in
Dykehead and Shotts Co – Operative Society’s Drapery Dept.  He is buried in –

REICHWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY, Germany.

Plot 21. Row G. Grave No. 12.

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  D/J642087 A.B. Ludovic LAING  Royal Navy.



 Ludovic died on active service on 24^th of June 1944, age 21.
He had volunteered for the Merchant Navy in February 1941. He made two voyages abroad and lost his ship
on the second through enemy action.  After being rescued he volunteered for the Royal Navy
during which time he rendered excellent service until His death.

He served on HMS President III (Lost in M.V. Derrycunihy R.N.)   Ludovic was the son of Mr and Mrs John and Margaret Laing, of 39 Hill Road, Dykehead; born at Whitburn in 1923 he was educated at Calderhead Public School, after which his father employed him as a grocer. As Ludovic died at sea he is commemorated on – PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 86. Column 3.

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Pte. E. MILLER  Cameron Highlanders

Awaiting details

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133523 F/Leut. William MURPHY  (D.F.C.) Royal Air Force

                        






William died on active service on 23^rd of May 1944.He was part of 945 Balloon Squadron.
The D.F.C.citation  states that Flying Officer Murphy was wireless operator of an aircraft 
detailed to attack a target in France. When about 10 miles from the objective the aircraft
was hit and set alight by an enemy fighter,   rendering the wireless instruments un – serviceable.
 While the fire was being controlled, Flying Officer Murphy skilfully effected repairs and owing
to his outstanding efforts, he was able to send to base detailed results of the damage sustained by
the aircraft, which enabled the pilot to land safely.
Flying Officer Murphy, the citation adds at all times displayed a very high standard of courage and
determination in most hazardous circumstances.

William was a native of Shotts, the son of Mr and Mrs Hugh and Helen Murphy,
husband of Helen Cochrane Wylie Murphy of Paisley; he was born in Shotts in 1921
and was a pupil in Wishaw High School. John is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts.  Section C. Grave 27.

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329357 Pte. Andrew  McCALLUM  Army Catering Corps.


 Andrew was killed on active service on 18^th of July 1944, in 
France, age 24.  He was attached to the Royal Engineers,
born in Lanarkshire, he was the only son of Mrs Isaac Glencorse,
265  Hawthorn Place, Dykehead, Shotts, nephew of William Darling, 
of Allanton  Shotts.  Andrew is buried in – 

RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France. 
Plot III. Row D. Grave No. 6.

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186865  Pilot/ Off. James McCARTNEY  Royal Air Force

James was killed in action on Thursday 10^th of August 1944,  age 21. He was shot down during operations
over Normandy, the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas and Margaret McCartney, formerly of 11 Clive Street,
 Shotts, the family having moved to 30 Wellwood Avenue, Muirkirk, Ayrshire at the time of James’s death. 
 Pilot/Officer McCartney was a former pupil of Wishaw High School, and had been an apprentice plasterer
with Messrs McCartney and Reid, Wishaw  He is buried in –

BRETTIVILLE – SUR – LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, -
Calvados, France.  Plot XII. Row H. Grave No. 2.

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O/S Donald McCOLL  Merchant Navy

Donald died on Sunday 11^th of July 1943, age 23, when his ship The
S.S. California (Glasgow registered) was sunk by enemy action.
He resided at Gray Street, Shotts and was a fine piper, as the
sea is his last resting-place, Donald is commemorated on –

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London.  Panel 13.

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322028 Gnr. Walter C. McKENZIE  Royal Artillery

Walter died on active service on Tuesday 14^th of October 1941, aged 27.

He was part of the 9^th Survey Regiment, R.A., and had previously been in the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, born in West Lothian,  husband of Mary Lindsay McKenzie, of Stane, Shotts.  Walter is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts, Lanarkshire.  Section B. grave 347.

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14588578 Pte. Robert B. McMILLAN  Durham Light Infantry 16^th Btn.

Robert was killed in action on Tuesday 12^th of September 1944, age 20,
during the Italian Campaign. Born in Lanarkshire, son of Alex  C. McMillan, Dykehead, Shotts. Robert is buried in –

CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY, Italy. – Plot IV. Row E. Grave No. 3.

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1367705 Sgt/W/oper./Air Gnr Francis G. McVEY   Royal Air Force

Francis was killed in action on Saturday 9^th of October 1943, age 22,
over enemy territory.  The official report of his death is as follows –

Sgt McVey’s  Halifax II, LW236  EY – Q Bomber, took off from 78 Squadron RAF Bomber Command
airfield, Breighton at 2236 hours, target Hanover Germany, crashed at Strohen 7 kilometers south east of Wagenfield. 

Frank was the only son of Mr and Mrs James McVey, of 52 Belmont Drive, Springhill, Shotts.  Sgt. McVey was a former pupil of St. Patrick’s R.C. School, Shotts and Our Lady’s High School, Motherwell and had been in the RAF for almost three years having taken part in various operational flights. Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs D. Bell, & Sons bakers & confectioners Shotts and Wishaw and was well known in both districts.  He was also a popular member of Shotts Coy. Home Guard before joining the R.A.F.  Frank and those of the crew who died were first buried at Strohen, but in 1945 were exhumed and brought to –

HANOVER WAR CEMETERY, Germany. Plot 8. Row D. Grave No. 12.

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3251070 Rfmn. Michael O’NEIL  Cameronians 2^nd Battalion

Michael was killed in action on Thursday 3^rd of February 1944, age 27,
During the Italian Campaign.  He was the son of Mr and Mrs John and Mary S. O’Neil, of Shotts. Michael is buried in - 

MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY, Italy.  Plot III. Row D. Grave No. 12.

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P/SSX 16711 L/Smn. William PHILLIPS  Royal Navy

William died in action on Sunday 11^th of April 1943, when his ship, the
Escort destroyer HMS. Beverley was sunk by enemy action, the official

Report is as follows –
HMS. Beverley was escorting convoy ONS. 176 and had already been damaged in a collision
with the merchant ship Cairnvalona on the 9^th of April.  She was retained with the escort even
though her Asdic and degaussing equipment was not in use.At 0400 hours while SW of Iceland
she was torpedoed and sunk by U188 (Kapitanleutnant Siegfried Ludden) sinking with heavy loss of life.
William was the son of Mr and Mrs James Phillips, of Shotts, as the sea is his last resting place, William is commemorated on –

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire, England. Panel 75. Col. 2.

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 C/JX 350513 O/Smn. Alistair POLSON  Royal Navy Alastair died in action on
Thursday 17^th of November 1942, age 19, when his F. Class destroyer HMS. Firedrake
was sunk by enemy action. The official report is as follows –

HMS Firedrake was one of the escorts of convoy ON.153.  At 2010 
hours on the 17^th when just outside the range of aircraft based in Iceland,
she was torpedoed and sunk by German Submarine U211 (Kapitanleutnant Karl Hause)
600 miles south of Iceland.  Firedrake broke in half immediately. 

The bow portion sank quickly, leaving no survivors.  About 35 of the crew clung to the
stern portion and attracted the attention of HMS Sunflower by firing starshells.  However,
the stern sank as Sunflower approached and she was able to rescue only 26 men in the very
heavy sea.  Seaman Polson was the son of Mr John Sutherland, Gordon Polson, and Mrs
Elizabeth McD. Polson, of 10 Hunter Place, Dykehead. 
Alastair was previously a student at Wishaw High School, and was well known and liked among
the young people of the district. As the sea is his last resting-place he is commemorated on –

CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent, England. Panel 58. Column 1.

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Pte. Andrew QUINN  Army

Andrew was killed in action shortly after ‘D’ Day in June 1944. He resided
at Brown Street, Springhill, Shotts, awaiting further details.

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1570318 LAC Thomas M. REID  Royal Air Force
Thomas died on Saturday 22^nd of February 1944, age 20, 
While on aircrew training in Canada.  He was youngest son
of Mr and Mrs Robert Reid of 14 Robert Street, Shotts and was a
 former pupil of Wishaw High School. Thomas is buried in –

DAUPHIN (RIVERSIDE) CEMETERY,  Canada.  Lot C. section 6. Block 6.

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657688 Sgt. Pilot William C. RODGER  Royal Air Force

William was killed on 28^th of June 1943, when his plane crashed while he

was training in Canada, he was 28. The eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Muir Rodger
and Marion Sneddon Rodger, of Mansefield Place, Shotts. Previous to the outbreak of war
he was employed in the County Council offices at Hamilton, and was a well-known member
of Shotts Iron Works Tennis Club. William is buried in –

PICTON (GLENWOOD) CEMETERY,  Ontario, Canada. Block 1. Row 10. Grave. 17.

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32250407 Cpl. George L. RUSSELL  Cameronians 2^nd Bn.

George was drowned on Friday 10^th of October 1941, whilst on Manoeuvres age 24. 
 He was the son of Mr and Mrs Russell,  83 Shotts Kirk Road,  born in Lanarkshire, and is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts, Lanarkshire.  Section B. Grave 456.

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DKX90441 L/Stoker David ROBERTSON * Royal Navy

David died at sea on Saturday 23^rd of October 1943, while serving on

HMS. Charybdis. The Dido class cruiser was torpedoed at 0130 hrs, 18 miles north east of Roscoff, Brittany by German Torpedo Boats T23, & T27 during a sweep of the Channel. Two torpedoes hit Charybdis and she capsized quickly, sinking with the loss of 464 men, there were 107 survivors. The Charybis and seven destroyers had been picked up by enemy Radar which gave their exact positions, this led to the German TBs being able to surprise the British warships.  David was the son of Mr and Mrs Robertson, Hartwood Home Farm, Shotts. As the sea is his last resting place He is commemorated on –

PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon, England. –

Panel 81. Column 3.

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2883386 Pte. William J. SHEERIN  Gordon Highlanders 8^th Btn.

William died on active service on Saturday 1^st of June 1940, in the
Shetland Islands. He was born in Glasgow, and is buried in –
LERWICK NEW CEMETERY, Zetland, Shetland. Terrace 9. Grave 27.

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3326766 Cpl. William H. SNEDDON  Argylls 1^st Battalion

William was killed in action on Saturday 10^th of July 1943, age 31, during
the campaign in Sicily.  Born in Glasgow he was the son of Mrs Sneddon,
31 Shottskirk  Road, Shotts.  William is buried in –
SYRACUSE WAR CEMETERY, Sicily, Italy. Plot III. Row H. Grave No. 8.

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                         151190 F/Officer James STANNERS  R.A.F.  143 Squad.

James died on active service on Tuesday 12^th of September 1944, age 21. As He does not appear in Bomber 
Command losses, its probable he was in Fighter Command. The fact he is named on the Runnymede Memorial,
almost certainly means he was on flight operations when he died. James has no known grave and is Commemorated on-

* David was one of two Shotts sailors killed on HMS Charybdis the other was Andrew Brown.

1098126 Bmdr. Gordon STEWART  Royal Artillery 160 Field Regt
Gordon died on active service on Sunday 21^st of January 1945 age 34,
During the Burma Campaign.  He was born in Lanarkshire, the son of
Mr and Mrs John and Isabella Stewart, husband of Agnes Prosser, of Dykehead. 
Gordon is buried in –TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar.  Plot 3. Row D. Grave No. 24.

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1068916 F/Sgt. Robert STEWART  Royal Air Force  82 Squadron

Robert died on active service during operations on the West India Frontier on Sunday 11^th of October 1942
age 27,  He was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert and Lucy Stewart of Windsor Cottage, Shotts.
Prior to joining the RAF Bobby was a C.A. in the firm of Messrs Peacock & Henry Union Street, Glasgow.
His happy – go – lucky disposition made him a firm favourite with all who knew him. Robert is buried in –

MADRAS (ST MARY’S) CEMETERY, Chennai, India.  Plot 19. Grave 80.

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1622045 Pte. Thomas STEWART Leicestershire Regiment 2/5^th Bn.

Thomas was killed in action on Saturday 23^rd of September 1944, during the Italian Campaign,
he was aged 31.  He was born in Lanarkshire, the son of Mr and Mrs Mathew and Annie Stewart of Shotts. 
Thomas is buried in – CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY,  Italy.  Plot XV. Row D. Grave No. 4.

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5504439 Sgt. William SWAN  Hampshire Regiment 1/4^th Battalion
William was killed in action on Friday 2^nd of April 1943, age 26 during
The Tunisian Campaign.  He was born in Lanarkshire, the son of
Mr and Mrs James and Jemima Swan, husband of Agnes Swan, Shotts.
William has no known grave and is commemorated on –
MEDJEZ – El – BAB MEMORIAL, Tunisia.  Face 22.

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139400 P/Off/Navigator James M. TRAYNOR  Royal Air Force

James died in action on Wednesday 28^th of April 1943, during flying
operations over enemy territory, he was 23. The official report is as follows –

James’s Stirling Bomber III BF515  HA – N took off at 2055 hours from Downham Market 218 Squadron airfield, on Operation Gardening heading for code sweatpea area.  Shot down by a German Night Fighter flown by (Unteroffizer Berg 111/NJG3) crashing at 0056 hours at Tagerup 4 kilometres N.W. of Dianalund, Denmark. Five of the crew are buried in  Reerslev the other two in Copenhagen.

James was the son of Mr and Mrs John and Annie McLoughlin Traynor, 6 Hill Street, Shotts, he had been in the RAF for over three years. Before joining he was a clerk in the Labour Exchange at Shotts. He took a keen interest in church affairs, and in the activities of Shotts YMCS., of which he was a past president. Well known in football circles, he was a professional for three years with Hibernian Football Club.  He also assisted the crack Juvenile club, Eastfield Heatherbell, at a time when practically all their players graduated to higher circles. At one period he played for Coltness United.

James is buried in – REERSLEV CHURCHYARD, Denmark. Coll. Grave 248.

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2883439 L/Sgt. James WALKER  Royal Artillery

James died on active service on Tuesday 6^th of February 1945 during the campaign in Burma,
he was part of 168 (8^th Bn. Gordon Highlanders) Battery Lt. A.A./ Anti -Tank Regiment Royal
Artillery 14^th Army. Born in Lanarkshire, the son of George and Agnes Fairley, Shotts. 
 James is buried in TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar (Burma); -

Plot 27. Row E. Grave No. 15.

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1824013 Wop/Air Gnr. Walter WALKER  Royal Air Force

Walter was killed in action while on air operations over Nuremburg

Germany on Friday 16^th of March 1945 age 20.  He was the son of Mr &

Mrs George and Janet Walker 123 Main Street, Shotts. A cheery and popular young man Sergt. Walker was educated at Stane and Calderhead Schools, and prior to volunteering for the RAF was employed in his fathers butchers business. He was a member of 498 (Wishaw) Squadron of the Air Training Corps before joining the parent service. Walter is buried in –  DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY,

Bayern, Germany. –  Plot 6. Row J. Grave No. 11.

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                             131838 F/Off./ Nav. Adam G.M. WATSON  R.A.F.
                          
Adam was killed in action while on air operations over enemy territory on Tuesday 27^th of July 1943, age 22. 
He was part of   605 Squadron, son of Mr Andrew F and Mrs Agnes McArthur Watson, of Thomson Terrace,
Dykehead, Shotts, and was a former pupil of Wishaw High School. 
Prior to joining up, Adam was employed in a Harthill Bank, and was an enthusiastic member of   Shotts Golf Club.

He is buried in – AMSTERDAM NEW EASTERN CEMETERY, Netherlands.

Plot 69. Row B. Grave No. 12.

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1346290 F/Off./Engr. Samuel B. WATSON  Royal Air Force

Samuel was killed in action over enemy territory on Saturday 9^th of October 1943,
the official report is as follows – Flying Officer Watson was part of the crew of
Lancaster Bomber III ED. 995 PH X which took off from Wickenby 12 Squadron
airfield at 2315 hours, objective Hanover crashed at 0155 hours in flames at Hamelin
on the east bank of the Weser, there was one survivor.  Samuel is buried in –

HANOVER WAR CEMETERY, Germany.Collective Grave 16 K 4 – 6.

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624190 Sgt, W.Op./Air Gnr. Angus WILSON  Royal Air Force

Angus died on active service on Saturday 2nd of November 1940 in an English Military Hospital
from injuries received on duty. He was part of 102 Squadron, son of Mr William Wilson,
10 Southfield Avenue, Shotts.
 Angus is buried in – STANE CEMETERY, SHOTTS; Section B. Grave 75.

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Cpl. J.  WILLIAMSON  Royal Air Force

Awaiting details.

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W/O/Sgt. Pilot Gabriel WOLLOSHIN  Royal Air Force

Gabriel died in action over enemy territory on Sunday 1^st of April 1945,

Age 21.  He was part of 341 French Squadron, probably Fighter Command.

Son of Gabriel and Natalie Wolloshin of Shotts. Sgt. Pilot Wolloshin is buried in –

OLST (DOVR) GENERAL CEMETERY,  Netherlands. Grave 18.

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                           185570 Pilot/ Off. John A. WYNN  Royal Air Force

                            John died on active service over enemy territory

                            on Wednesday 29^th of November 1944, the official

                            report is as follows –

                            P/Off. Wynn’s Lancaster Bomber III PB199  TL – N, part of 35       

                            Squadron, took off  from Graveley Airfield at 1321 Hours as a blind     

                            secondary marker and was lost without trace.  John was the son of Mr and Mrs George and Lilias N. Wynn of Wishaw. And a former pupil of Wishaw High School.  Pilot /Officer Wynn has no known grave and is commemorated on –

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey, England.  Panel 213.

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THE FOLLOWING SERVICEMEN HAVE SHOTTS CONNECTIONS BUT DO NOT APPEAR ON SHOTTS MEMORIAL

                         3247866 Pte. Donald  ARMIT  Gordon Highlanders 6 Bn.

                          Donald was killed in action on Saturday 25^th of May 1940 age 23 in the Dunkirk sector. 
                          Son of the late Walter and Mrs George McLaren Armit, 24  Hill Street, Shotts. 
                          Donald was a student  at Wishaw High School from 1930 – 1933. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the –
                         DUNKIRK MEMORIAL, Nord France; Col. 126.

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Pte. John BROWN  Army

John was accidently killed while on  service in June 1944.

He resided at Manse Road, and prior to joining the forces was employed

at Stane Colliery.

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1769283 Rfn. Peter  QUINN  Cameronians  2^nd Battalion

Peter was killed in action on Tuesday 1^st of May 1945, age 24, near the

end of the war In North West Europe, his army record has him born in Lanarkshire almost certainly Shotts.  He resided at Brown Street, Shotts. Peter is buried in –

HAMBURG CEMETERY, Germany; Plot 2A. Row E. Grave No. 15.

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220935 Leut. David Drummond  SMITH  Royal Artillery

Leutenant Smith died on 7^th of February 1943, from wounds received

while in action in the Middle East campaign age 30. He was well known

in Shotts district, being the son of the former headmaster of Calderhead School.

He was an enthusiastic member of Shotts YMCA for many years, his keen sense of wit and humour made him a popular member and able debater in the Association discussions.  Born in Glasgow, the son of Mr and Mrs David and Annie Smith, husband of Mary J. Smith, of Paisley. He left Shotts to enter the teaching profession, gaining an M.A. at Glasgow University and was survived by his wife and child.  David is buried in -

TEL – EL – KEBIR WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, 

Plot 4. Row O. Grave No. 7.

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Gnr. Robert SMITH  Royal Artillery

Robert died on service with an Anti – Aircraft Battery in England after

a short illness in July 1940. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert Smith, and was married. He left a widow and one child.  Robert is buried in –

STANE CEMETERY, Shotts, Lanarkshire.

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14327649 Pte. James STEWART  Kings Own Scottish Bords. (Airborne)

James of Main Street Linlithgow, was killed in action on Monday 18^th of

September 1944. during the Battle of Arnhem age 20. Born in Lanarkshire,

he had resided in Shotts some years before moving to Linlithgow, and was the son of Mr  and Mrs Andrew and Annie Stewart who were well known in Shotts.  James was with the K.O.S.B. which was part of 7^th (Airborne Battalion) 1^st Airborne Division.  He was formerly employed as a butcher. James is buried in -

ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY, Netherlands; -

Plot 25. Row A. Grave No. 18

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NX52603 Pte. Andrew  WILSON  Australian Army Medical Corps

Andrew was drowned on Friday 14^th of May 1943, when the Japanese

sank an Australian Hospital Ship on which Andrew was among the wounded,  He was 41, a member of the A.I.F. Field Ambulance. He was a native of Shotts before moving to Australia.  Pte. Wilson resided at Mayfield West, Newcastle, New South Wales and was employed by the Railways Department before his enlistment in 1940.  He was survived by his wife Catherine Wilson, and 5 year old daughter, who were residing in Beverley Hills, Sydney at the time of his death. Andrew’s brother Mr William Wilson, of Thomson Terrace, Shotts, received newspaper cuttings from Australia with the details of Pte. Wilson’s death.   As he died at sea he is commemorated on –

SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia; Panel 4.

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2883945 Pte. Peter WOOD  Gordon Highlanders 2^nd Battalion

Peter died while a Prisoner of War in the Far East on Thursday 23^rd of

September, 1944, age 25.  He was being transferred to a Prisoner of War Camp in Japan, it seems Peter’s ship may have been torpedoed by an American submarine.

Born in Glasgow, the son of Mr and Mrs Robert and Isabella Wood, 17 Hunter Street