Adams, Herbert
The original version of this post led with a photo of David Adams, Herbert’s father, but I am finally able to update with a photo – not optimal quality – of Herbert. This is taken from a photo of what may be the group he was training with in the RAF: We also have a…
Read MoreFisher, James
James Alexander Fisher was born on 27th February, 1918 at 109 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen. His father, William Wotherspoon Fisher, gave his occuptaion as company secretary. His mother was called Marjory (nee Macfarlane). James was their second son. He attended Glasgow Academy and probably started work somewhere as he was 21 when war broke out. He joined…
Read MoreRobertson, Thomas
Thomas, aged 18, joining the merchant navy You’re on Scotland Street in Glasgow, driving back to Bearsden via the Kingston Bridge. You turn left at the east end, past West Street subway station and go under the M74 extension, then left again onto a slip road to the M8. But as you do, you might…
Read MoreCraig, James
I started the search with the name “James Craig” on the war memorial at Bearsden Cross. Using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission search facility only one man named James Craig had a link to Bearsden. He was 30 years old when he died and was the son of James and Catherine Craig. He died on…
Read MoreMcKechnie, Andrew
The National Library of Scotland has a film online shot in 1941 and 1942 of Bearsden’s Home Guard unit in various situations – at a formal march past, on parade, rifle training, training with other weapons, etc. To see the full 12 minute film click here, but I have used a few screen shots including the…
Read MoreGraham, Thomas
Thomas Daye Graham was born on 17 May 1922 at West Chapelton House, Bearsden. His father, John Graham, has his occupation recorded as “painter (master)”. His mother was Elizabeth Lyall Daye and had married John in 1909. Thomas was the fifth child of seven. West Chapelton House can be seen in this 1896 map: Drymen…
Read MoreHamilton, William
For this and lots of information I am indebted to the aircrewremembered.com website (link here) William Clark Hamilton enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve on 14th April 1939, being called up full-time from 1st September as a Leading Aircraftsman. On his paperwork he is described as 5 feet and 7 inches tall (170cm), fair hair, blue…
Read MoreMerchant seamen: Thomas Rennie, Eric McMurray, Harry Jamieson and Edward Hughes
There are 148 names on the Bearsden War Memorial. In terms of a single cemetery or memorial, the most frequent is New Kilpatrick with 14. First World War memorials to those with no known grave at Thiepval (eight) and Arras (six) are next, together with the memorial to Merchant Navy men with no known grave…
Read MoreWalker, Andrew
Andrew Patrick Walker was born on 22nd June 1922 at 63 Gardner Street in Partick. His father, Thomas, had married Anna McDonald the previous year in Inverness. Thomas’s job was a mercantile clerk at the time, although later in life he was a company secretary. Andrew had a younger brother John (“Jack) and Evelyn. By…
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