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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Pte. John Gillies MM.
British Army 9th Btn. Seaforth Highlanders
from:Roslin
My grandfather, John GIllies, won his Military Medal for bravery in the field (wounded and gassed) during the taking of the chemical works during the Battle of Arras on 17/18th of April 1917. He survived the war. He died in a pit accident (gassed) in 1930. I sometimes wonder what can be done to honour the men that came back and helped put the country back on its feet.
Pte. Malcolm Gillies
British Army 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Scots
(d.11th Nov 1917)
Malcolm Gillies was buried in the Famagusta Military Cemetery in Cyprus.
Pte Murdoch Gillies
British Army 10th Btn Unit 2, Royal Scots Fusiliers
from:Dundee
My grandfather Murdoch Gillies was born in Dundee 12/10/1882 and died in the same city on 24th Sep 1965. He was married for 58 years to Helen (Nellie) McDonald. They had 7 children between 1908 and 1925 the youngest of whom was my dad George McDonald Gillies. My grandfather was a master baker and confectioner when he was young before working in the jute industry.
Pte. Murdoch Gillies
British Army 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers
from:Skye
(d.3rd May 1917)
Murdo Gillies left behind a pregnant wife, Jessie, when he went to fight in France. He never met his daughter, Catriona, who was born in March 1917.
Pte. Walter N Gillies MM.
British Army 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders
(d.19th July 1918)
All we are able to find out about Walter Gillies is that he was a runner when he died. Buried at Meteren Military Cemetery
Pte. Thomas Gilligan
British Army 6th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
from:Dublin
(d.15th Aug 1915)
Thomas Gilligan – my Great Grandfather – was born on 21 October 1871, one of four children and the only son of Thomas and Catherine Gilligan (nee Wright), of Wicklow, County Wicklow in Ireland. No information is known about Thomas’ early education or his interests and hobbies however we do know that in Dublin; on 11 November 1893; Thomas enlisted as Private 4003 in the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, joining the battalion at Newry two days later. His surviving attestation papers state his civilian profession as painter and he is described as being 5’ 4” in height with red hair and grey eyes.
Thomas spent his first year on home service however on 10 November 1894 he commenced a prolonged period of active service in India; returning home on 15 February 1899. In November of the same year Thomas was again on active service; this time in South Africa during the Boer War where he remained until 10 September 1902. For the remaining period Thomas was on home service until 10 November 1905 when he received his discharge; thus beginning 5 years in the reserves.
Thomas married Rachel White, a Nursery Maid, in 1907 and together they raised four children while living in Dublin – the eldest being my grandfather George William Gilligan (b 1908); also Frederick (b 1911), Thomas (b 1909) and Annie (known in the family as Nancy) (b 1914).
At the outbreak of war in August 1914 Thomas re-enlisted; this time as Private 13757 in the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Now aged 42; Thomas marched through the streets of Dublin to the docks en route to Liverpool with his battalion. This was the last time he would be seen by his 6 year old son George who could recall walking alongside the column.
The battalion was part of the 10th (Irish) Division; part of Kitcheners New Army made up generally of raw recruits with a sprinkling of older men who had already seen military service (i.e. Boer War and India) and who had either been recalled to the colours or had volunteered on the outbreak of war. With his age and prior military service it can easily be imagined that Thomas would have been looked up to by many of the younger men for guidance and support as they went through their training at Basingstoke
The 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers received orders to embark for service in the Dardanelles on 9 July 1915 as part of the 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. At the time the battalion was with the rest of the 10th (Irish) Division (less Divisional Artillery which had been sent to France previously) in Basingstoke having just completed their training. The battalion left Basingstoke in successive train loads on 12 July arriving at Keyham Dockyard, Plymouth where they were to embark upon the SS Canada. Owing to non-arrival of the vessel, the battalion located to a rest camp at Pull Point, Devonport overnight.
On 13 July the battalion and ammunition column commenced embarkation upon the SS Canada, setting sail the following day at 5pm. The vessel passed Gibraltar on 18 July and arrived in Malta on 21 July for coaling. The vessel then sailed for Alexandria; arriving on 24 July. On 26 July the vessel arrived at Mudros Harbour, Lemnos Island and during the period to 31 July the battalion participated in the disembarkation and sorting of stores and equipment; it having been recognised that equipment had not been loaded securely or in the correct order. On the evening of 31 July the SS Canada sailed for Mytilene Harbour, Lesbos Island arriving on the 1st August. During the next few days the battalion undertook route marches around the island.
On 5 August the battalion received orders to be prepared to move by 12 noon the following day to a destination not yet stated. At 5-30 pm on 6 August the battalion sailed to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli aboard the minesweepers “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle”. At this time the battalion comprised 778 officers and other ranks.
At 4-35am on 7 August the “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle” arrived off Suvla Bay under heavy shrapnel fire. A landing was made at 8-30am with the battalion going into action in support of the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and East Yorkshire Regiment at 9am the same morning. On its first day of action the battalion suffered casualties of 1 officer wounded, 12 other ranks killed and 76 other ranks wounded or missing.
Overnight the battalion occupied trenches atop Hill 53 and during the following days provided support and reinforcement to other troops attacking Hill 70. During the period 8 to 9 August the battalion suffered further casualties of 5 officers killed, 12 officers wounded or missing, 12 other ranks killed and 220 other ranks wounded or missing. The battalion was suffering from the environment in which they were serving and existed on the “iron” rations with which they had landed since no supplies were able to get to them.
Having received supplies late on the 9th August; the battalion held Hill 53 until relieved by the Essex Regiment on the 10th August. The battalion was rested in reserve lines for the next few days. The battalion moved into support trenches on 13 August and the following day received reinforcements of 5 officers and 159 other ranks from the battalion reserve at Mudros.
During 15 to 16 August the battalion was engaged in heavy fighting against Turkish Infantry. It was during this action that Thomas Gilligan was killed; one amongst 10 officers and 210 other ranks killed, wounded or missing in the battalion during the engagement on the Kiretch Tepe Ridge. Thomas Gilligan’s body was never recovered however his name is recorded on the Helles Memorial and in his local church at St Stephens in Dublin.
On 1 September the battalion was now recorded as comprising just 5 officers and 388 other ranks, as well as losses through enemy action the battalion was increasingly suffering from ill health.
The impact of Gallipoli was not confined to just the battlefield since Thomas’ death had major repercussions for his wife and children. Soon after being notified of his death the young Gilligan children who were now living in poverty were split up since Rachel was unable to cope. Annie and Thomas; who had sadly been blinded by meningitis were sent to live with relatives.
In 1918 George was admitted to the Royal Hibernian Military School (RHMS) in Dublin. In November that year Rachel, who had suffered the amputation of a leg; died of tuberculosis at the age of 33. The following year Frederick joined George at the RHMS.
Following closure of the RHMS George joined Group No. 1 at the newly opened Boys Technical School in Chepstow and then continued to serve in the army with the Tank Corps. Frederick moved to the Duke of Yorks School at Shorncliffe, Dover and then served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Both brothers saw service throughout the Second World War. George left the army in 1949 and then went on to work as a Civilian Technical Officer with the War Department, retiring in 1974; he died in 1999. Frederick, who had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Italy in 1944 was accidentally shot and killed while serving with the occupation forces in Salzburg, Austria on 1 October 1945. Thomas, although blind learnt to play and tune the piano, he died in Belfast in 1975. The last of Thomas Gilligan’s children was his daughter Annie who died in Surrey in December 2001.
The family keeps Thomas Gilligan’s in their memories with his photograph (reproduced above) featuring prominently in the homes of my self and my father and on each anniversary of his death he and his family are remembered.
Lt. Hodgson Stewart Gilliland MC.
British Army 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment
from:Derby
Hodgson Stuart Gilliland was born at Exmouth, Devon and enlisted in the 13th Hussars in June 1897, aged 14 years. He witnessed active service out in South Africa from February 1901 until the end of hostilities, during which period he was appointed a Trumpeter. Transferring as a Sergeant-Trumpeter to the 8th Hussars in April 1912, he was serving out in India on the outbreak of hostilities, but was quickly embarked for active duty and arrived in France in November 1914.
In April 1916, Gilliland was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment, and joined the 1st Battalion in time for the Somme operations that summer. But his time at the Front was short-lived, for in an operation on 28 July he received a bayonet wound in his left leg and sustained shell-shock from the explosion of an H.E. shell, injuries that necessitated his immediate evacuation to England - back home the former musician was no doubt devastated to learn that the resultant loss of hearing in his right ear would be permanent. Better news was announced in the London Gazette of 18 October 1917, however, when he discovered that he had been awarded the MC:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a patrol. Finding that the enemy’s wire could not be cut without giving the alarm, with one N.C.O. he crawled under the wire and lay on the enemy’s parapet for three-quarters of an hour, gaining valuable information. While he was returning the enemy opened a heavy machine-gun fire, but he skilfully withdrew his men, and, though wounded himself, helped carry a wounded man back. He brought back a valuable report.’
Gilliland, who was advanced to Lieutenant in October 1917, was placed on the Army Reserve in August 1919, but, as accompanying research confirms, quickly returned to uniform as a Cadet Officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary, in which capacity he served in “The Troubles”. He died in 1956.
Lt. W. M.M. Gilliland
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
from:Londonderry, Co. Derry
(d.28th Apr 1915)
Pte. Frederick William Gillin
Britsh Army Machine Gun Section 5th Dragoon Guards
from:West Ham, Essex
L/cpl James Brown Gillinder
British Army 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers
from:150, Northbourne St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.<
(d.1st June 1918)
Gillinder, James, Brown, Lance Corporal, 19/478, Killed in action in Aveluy Wood on 1st June 1918, aged 23 years,
Remembered on the Pozieres Memorial panel 16 to 18.
Son of Thomas William and Margaret Gillinder, of 150, Northbourne St., Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have him shown incorrectly as 9th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.
From the Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour
Pte. M. Gillingham
British Army King's Liverpool Regiment
(d.21st March 1918)
Private Gillingham had transferred from the King's Liverpool Regiment to the 87th Company Labour Corps (Service No. 51765). He died on 21st March 1918 at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Grevillers and is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery, Grave XI.E.2.
Pte. William J. Gillings
British Army 12th Btn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment
(d.21st Dec 1917)
Will Gillings was married to my paternal Grandmother's cousin, Florence Carne. What information we had suggested that he was in Ireland with The Lancers for his military training. It is only now that I have found his death record from WW1 that I have discovered he was in the Kings (Liverpool Regiment) when he fought in France. He was buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery. I have yet to find out which battle he was killed in. Before he went off to France, he made a model of an officers cap using an old penny and some copper, which he gave to my Grandmother. I inherited this after my father died.
Sjt. A Gillis
Canadian Army 1st Canadian Tunnelling Coy.
from:Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada.
(d.23rd Apr 1917)
Sjt. Gillis was killed in the front line on the 23rd April 1917 at Voormozeele Lock Hospital by a "fish tailing" trench mortar, which badly injured his spine. He was buried at La Clytte Cemetery the following day. He was 32 years old.
Dvr, Reginald Terence Gilliver
British Army 56th (1/1st London) Divisional Signals Company Royal Engineers
from:Pentonville
Pte Francis William Gillman
British Army 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps
(d.24th Aug 1916)
Francis William Gillman is my 1st cousin twice removed.
Cpl. Richard Joseph Gillman
British Army 9th Btn. East Surrey Regiment
from:Cronnin Rd, Camberwell, London
(d.13th Jun 1917)
Able.Sea. Charles Gillon MM.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Hawke Battalion
from:Scotland
Charles Gillon served with the Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Divison. I am trying to assist his son, an old neighbour (aged 90). There is little he can remember of his father's war service and I have told him I would assist as far as possible. He can remember that his father served in Gallipoli, was wounded there and was awarded the Military Medal, which was presented to him at an investiture in June 1918 by King George V. Any information would be useful.
Pte. William Gillon
British Army 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
from:Broxburn, Scotland
(d.17th Sep 1918)
We know very little regarding our grandfather's brother William Gillon. We believe he died of his wounds at the Battle of Procourt-Queant, and is buried in the military cemetery at Queant. We would appreciate any information regarding this battle and information on the 6th Battalion.
Pte. John Gillooney
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Newcastle
2nd Lt. O. C. Gillott
British Army 68th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
from:Upland House, Eastwood, Nottingham.
(d.7th Jun 1917)
L/Cpl. James Gilmore
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
from:Belfast
(d.21st Oct 1914)
James Gilmore served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 21st October 1914, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Gilmore, of 66, Stanhope St., Belfast
Pte. John Owen Gilmore
British Army 1st Bn Scots Guards
from:Denbigh
(d.27th Sep 1915)
John Gilmore was the son of Mr and Mrs Owen Gilmore of 269 New Chester Road, New Ferry, Cheshire.
Pte. Peter Gilmore
British Army 7th Btn. Gordon Highlanders
(d.26th Apr 1917)
Peter Gilmore is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Pte. David Gilmour
British Army 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
from:Nitshill
(d.20th May 1918)
David Gilmour is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes. He was born in 1900 to William and Margaret Gilmour, with siblings Neil, Mary, Jean and Kate. He enlisted at Barrhead 29/04/1915 and initially served with the 8th Bn., Seaforth Highlanders.
Pte. David Gilmour
British Army 6th Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
from:Nitshill
(d.20th May 1918)
David Gilmour was born in 1900 to William and Margaret Gilmour, he had five siblings James, George, Robert, William and John. He enlisted at Barrhead on 29th April 1915. He initially served with with the Seaforth Highlanders.8th Battalion., and subsequently with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 1/6th Battalion. He died on 20th May 1918 and is buried in Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes.
Lt. Herbert James Graham Gilmour
British Army 3rd Btn. Worcestershire Regiment
(d.19th Sep 1914)
Herbert Gilmour, 1884-1914, served in the Boer War. He died in WWI, killed in the First Battle of the Aisne, France.
Pte. James Gilmour
British Army 9th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
(d.1st Jul 1916)
Rflm. James Gilmour
British Army 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
from:Rockport, Craigavad
(d.16th Aug 1917)
Spr. John Gilmour MM.
British Army 409th (Lowland) Field Company Royal Engineers
from:Avonhead, Longriggend
John Gilmour won the Military Medal in action on 4th of November 1918, at the crossing of the Sambre Oise canal at Bois L' Abbaye. On 7th of November, Major G D E Findlay, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the same action, recommended Sapper Gilmour receive the Military Medal. Specifically, for placing a second bridge over the canal, whilst under fire. This allowed the infantry to cross and to achieve its objectives. The award was presented on 27th of February 1919, having been transferred to the reserves on 5th of February.
He returned home and went on to marry Mary, and raise five children together. James (Jim), Chrissie, Robert, John and Janet (Jenny). He spent his married life in Caldercrux by Airdrie and died at Robroyston Hospital in February 1973.
Pte. Samuel Gilmour
British Army 1/5th Btn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
from:Port Glasgow
(d.12th Jul 1915)
Private Samuel Gilmour of 1/5 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was killed in action at Achi Baba, Gallipoli on 12th July 1915. He had joined the Argylls with his friends in Port Glasgow, known as The Toll Boys. In early July 1915 the Battalion was shipped out from Devonport, via Egypt to take part in the new front at Helles Point. Notably, Private Gilmour was killed on the same day as another Port Glasgow man, Corporal John Bellringer who is already mentioned on this website and whose name appears above Private Gilmour's on the War Memorial in Port Glasgow..
This is the story of a much loved, family man who, because of his duty to King and Country, did not live to enjoy the wife and family he left behind. Private Gilmour was an ordinary man who was also just another of the many unsung heroes who did their bit for freedom and honour. Private Gilmour was born on Burns Night, 25th January 1888, the Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Gilmour. At the age of 20, he married Mary Rankin on 5th May 1908 at 3 Clune Place, Port Glasgow. He had four children, one Son he called Samuel and three Daughters, Jeannie, Susan and Mary. His only Son Samuel Gilmour married Mary Kirkwood, who was my Mother's sister, on 28th December 1945. He in turn had three children, calling his first Son Samuel Gilmour (the Fourth Samuel Gilmour in this story), a Daughter Elizabeth and another Son James. It was mentioned previously the Private Gilmour was a member of a Group of young men in Port Glasgow known as The Toll Boys. A plaque was erected on a red sandstone tenement wall at No 5 Glasgow Road Port Glasgow to commemorate the members who fell in The Great War of 1914-18. The unveiling of this plaque was a very public and emotional ceremony in 1921. The names of all of the fallen members of the Group are contained on the plaque, including the name of Private Samuel Gilmour.
On a much more positive note, despite the death of Private Samuel Gilmour at the young age of 27, he still has a significant number of descendants who remember him today. At the beginning of this story it was said that Private Samuel Gilmour was a Family Man, and indeed it is through his family that he lives on, and will never be forgotten.
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