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Hugh McGarva
SRoH. Private Hugh McGarva. Home: Drawbridge Cottage, Gatehouse.
Enlisted October 1914, 6th Battalion Scottish Rifles.
Served on Western Front. Killed in action in France 15th June 1915.
Anwoth & Girthon War Memorial, Gatehouse inscription : Hugh McGarva S.R.
Anwoth Church Memorial : Pte Hugh McGarva Scot. Rifles
Girthon Gravestone : … Hugh, who was killed in action in France, 5th June1915, aged 27 years. Father: Alexander McGarva, Mother Jemima Bryden.
CWGC : Private Hugh McGarva 2403 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 6th Battalion
Died 15/06/1915 (aged 27) On Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Panels 15 & 16)
Father: Alexander McGarva, Birtwhistle (Street) Gatehouse.
Medal Index Card : Pte. Hugh McGarva Sco. Rifles 24897 awarded Victory & British medals.
1901 Borgue Census, at Meikle Isle : Hugh McGarva (12, born Borgue) with father Alexander (farm labourer) and mother Jemima + 5 siblings inc. Alexander, James & William.
1911 Census : Hugh McGarva, Townhead Street, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 12th August 1921: Unveiling of Gatehouse War Memorial. Wreath laid: ‘From Mr and Mrs M. McGarva, Ivy Cottage, in kind remembrance.’
Brothers Alexander, Hugh and Willian McGarva all fought in the war. Only William survived.
Gatehouse link : Born in Borgue, parents later moved to Drawbridge Cottage, Gatehouse.
James McGarva
SRoH. Sergeant-Major James McGarva. Home: 1011 Duke St., Glasgow.
Born at Borgue. Enlisted September 1914, 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Served on Western Front. Awarded Military Medal with Bar.
Medal Index card : Private James McGarva (13729) 15 High. L.I. later Sgt. with 15 HLI. Awarded M.M. (Military Medal) + Victory, British & 15 Star medals.
1901 Borgue Census, at Meikle Isle : James McGarva (7, born Borgue) with father Alexander (farm labourer) and mother Jemima + 5 siblings inc. Alexander, Hugh & William.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 12th January 1917: Report of a Lance Corporal James McGarva of 15th Highland Light Infantry receiving the Military Medal. His parents were Mr & Mrs McGarva, Drawbridge, Gatehouse.
1921 Unveiling of War Memorial : “Gatehouse and District Gold Medal for Gallantry”
Great nephew Donald Davidson says that James was in the Tramway Battalion of the H.L.I.
Donald has a gold medal presented to James McGarva by Gatehouse & District 'For Valour'
Although his address is Glasgow, James is a brother of Alexander, Hugh and William McGarva. His brothers Alexander and Hugh died during the war. His parents were Alexander McGarva and Jemima Bryden who were living at Meikle Isle, Borgue in 1901 census and later at Drawbridge Cottage and then Ivy Cottage, Gatehouse.
Gatehouse link : Born in Borgue, parents later moved to Drawbridge Cottage, Gatehouse.
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William McGarva
SRoH. Sergeant William McGarva. Home: Drawbridge Cottage, Gatehouse.
Enlisted January 1916, Scottish Rifles. Transferred to 3rd King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Served on Western Front. Wounded once. Awarded Military Medal.
Medal Index Card : Sgt. William McGarva (49637) R. Scots, later Sgt. (41129) KO Sco. Bords. Awarded M.M. (Military Medal) + Victory & British medals.
1901 Borgue Census, at Meikle Isle : William McGarva (10, born Borgue) with father Alexander (farm labourer) and mother Jemima + 5 siblings inc. Alexander, Hugh & James.
1911 Borgue Census, at Gledpark : William McGarva was not with his parents.
1921 Unveiling of War Memorial : “Gatehouse and District Gold Medal for Gallantry”
Gatehouse link : Born in Borgue, parents later moved to Drawbridge Cottage, Gatehouse.
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Thomas Henry McGaw
SRoH. Brigade Quarter-Master Sergeant Thomas Henry McGaw.
Home: High Street, Gatehouse.
Enlisted April 1902. Mobilised 4th August 1914, Galloway Rifles.
Transferred to Kirkcudbrightshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery April 1908.
Served on Eastern Front (Egypt & Palestine). In all operations with 52nd Lowland Division till April 1918, and with 7th Indian Division till November 1918. Awarded T.E.F. Medal (Territorial Efficiency) & 1915 Star.
Medal Index Card : Thomas H McGaw BQMS RFA (4057 & 655585). 23rd June 1915 : sent to Egypt. Awarded Victory, British & 15 Star medals.
1901 Girthon Census, High Street : Thomas H. McGaw (15, born Gatehouse) with father Thomas McGaw (builder) and mother Helen + 2 siblings.
1911 Girthon Census, High Street : Thomas H. McGaw (builder, 25, born Gatehouse) with father Thomas H. McGaw (builder) and mother Helen + brother William (builder).
Note: Soldier Thomas Henry’s father, also Thomas Henry, husband of Helen, died in 1914 (ex Girthon gravestone)
Girthon Banns : Thomas Henry McGaw married Helen Veitch 05/01/1879 (parents).
Girthon Banns : 1925 Thomas Henry McGaw to Elizabeth Rennie Wilson in England.
FreeBMD : Marriage of Thomas H McGaw to Elizabeth R Wilson Q3 1925 West Derby (Liverpool) Lancashire
Gatehouse link : Born in and lived in High Street, Gatehouse.
William McGaw
SRoH. Sapper William McGaw. Home: Gatehouse.
Enlisted December 1915, Renfrewshire Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Transferred to No. 5 Signal Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Served on Western Front (Somme & Passchendaele, and German Offensive, March 1918).
Medal Index Card : Spr. William McGaw RE (421012) & RE(T)1599. Awarded Victory & British medals.
1901 Girthon Census, High Street : William McGaw (21, builder’s apprentice, born Gatehouse) with father Thomas snr. (builder), mother Helen + 2 siblings.
1911 Girthon Census, High Street : William McGaw (31, builder, born Gatehouse) with father Thomas H. McGaw (builder), mother Helen + brother Thomas H. (builder).
Girthon Banns : Parents of William McGaw are Thomas Henry McGaw who married Helen Veitch on 05/01/1879.
Girthon Banns : 1923 William McGaw married Thomasina Annie Walker or Ireland in Dumfries.
Gatehouse link : Born in and lived in High Street, Gatehouse.
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