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.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Smith Brothers

From the Cumnock Chronicle of 7 June 1918

Mrs George Smith received a letter from the Lieutenant of her husband’s platoon
informing her that her husband was killed along with 2 comrades by a shell on Thursday of last week. He was the eldest surviving son of William Smith, Roadside and was employed in Cumnock Pottery until it closed down after which he worked at Highhouse Colliery. He was called up last summer and went out to France in December 1917. He has 2 brothers with the colours, 1 of whom gained the Military Medal for service with the Tank Corps. The other one is home on leave. He leaves a widow and child.

He was Private George M Smith of the RSF and died on 30 May 1918 aged 31. He is buried at Le Peuplier Military Cemetery, Caestre in France.  His wife was Jessie Hutton. They married in 1913. Jessie went on to marry James English in 1919.

He was the son of William Smith potter and Janet McClymont, of Cumnock; husband of Jessie Hutton, of 15, Glaisnock Street, Cumnock, Ayrshire.

The brother who was awarded the MM was William Smith of the Tank Corps.

Here is the family in 1901 census
Burnfoot Tileworks, Ochiltree
William Smith             42
Janet Smith     39
George Smith 14 b New Cumnock
Janet Smith     12
William Smith 9 b New Cumnock
David Smith    4
David Black    41 boarder


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