Introduction

In 2014 the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, Cumnock History Group began researching the names on the Cumnock War Memorial plus other men and women with Cumnock connections mentioned on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or in the Cumnock Chronicle of the time. The research is not limited to those who died but also to men and women who served, using family history information.

The group would like to appeal to individuals with knowledge of family members for photographs of the soldier, either in uniform or not, and photos of medals or other memorabilia eg letters sent home from the Front. If you would be prepared to share these on this site, please email the web manager info@cumnockhistorygroup.org The group is willing to share any copies of documents found with the soldier's descendants.

Monday 10 February 2014

Robert Menhams

Robert Menhams was born in Maryport, Cumberland in 1890.

 In 1911 he was miner living with parents John and Elizabeth in Maryport.

He married Euphemia Wightman of Auchinleck in Ayr in 1915. They were both living in Kirkconnel at the time.

He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in Dumfries.   He was a driver  and died in France on 27 October 1918. His address at the time of death was 26 Townfoot St, Cumnock.

His grave in in Sainte Marie Cemetery in Le Havre.  His name in on the Cumnock War Memorial.


updated 2 Apr 2014 with info from Cumnock Chronicle 1 Nov 1918 viewed at Burns Monument Centre, Kilmarnock


Death notice states he died at 40 Stationary Hospital France of pneumonia contracted while on active service. Husband of Elizabeth Wightman.

Article states he had been in France for 2 years and 9 months. He was home on leave a few weeks ago. He worked for a time at Highhouse Colliery and for a few weeks before enlisting he was employed at Kirkconnel. He was 27 and leaves a widow and 2 children.

CWGC

Cumnock Connections tree

Updated 24 Feb 2018

His widow married again to William Reid in 1922.

His son John Wightman Menhams was awarded the Military Medal in WW2.


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