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William McKinna
SRoH. Private William McKinna. Home: Winnipeg, Canada. Born at Newton, Anwoth.
Enlisted January 1915, 90th Winnipeg Rifles, 9th Canadian Battalion.
Transferred to 8th Battalion. Served on Western Front. Gassed once.
1891 Borgue Census, at South Park : William McKinna (1, born Anwoth) with father John (agricultural labourer), mother Sarah J., + 1 brother and 2 sisters.
1901 Borgue Census, at South Park : William McKinna (11, born Anwoth) with father John (ploughman) and mother Sarah J., + 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
ScotlandsPeople Index : William McKinna born in Anwoth 1889.
Family Tree ex Ancestry : Born 1889 Anwoth. Father John McKinna (1857-1927). Mother Sarah Jane Rattray (1854-1926).
Gatehouse link : Born at Newton, Anwoth, then lived in Borgue before emigrating to Canada.
? McKinnon
SRoH. Not in Stewartry Roll of Honour. Identified as a soldier from Anwoth & Girthon ex Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser “First Instalment of Stewartry Roll of Honour” 25th December 1914.
? McKinnon 2nd Lowland Brigade Royal Field Artillery.
Hugh Ingersoll Hall McMichael
SRoH. Apprentice Seaman Hugh I. H. McMichael. Home: High Street, Gatehouse.
Enlisted July 1916, S.S. ‘Glendhu’ (Mercantile Marine Service). Served on Admiralty Transport Service.
Girthon Gravestone : Hugh Ingersoll McMichael (Commander) died in 1974.
1901 Girthon Census, High Street : Hugh I H McMichael (9mths, born Girthon) with father James (shop keeper, flesher), mother Margaret L. + 3 siblings.
1911 Girthon Census, High Street : Hugh I. H.McMichael, (10, born Girthon) with father James (butcher), mother Margaret L., + 2 older sisters and a younger brother.
Girthon Banns : April 1888 James McMichael married Margaret Livingstone Sproat (Hugh’s parents).
ScotlandsPeople Index : Hugh Ingersoll McMichael born at Girthon in 1900.
Internet searches indicate that his third name is Hall.
Hugh and James McMichael were brothers.
Gatehouse link : Born and lived in Gatehouse.
James Clement McMichael
SRoH. Sergeant James Clement McMichael. Home: High Street, Gatehouse.
Mobilised August 1914, Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry, attached to Highland Light Infantry and latterly in Royal Air Force. Served on Eastern Front (Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine).
Awarded Meritorious Service Medal.
Glasgow High School Roll of Honour : McMichael, James Lieutenant 9th Highland Light Infantry.
Girthon Gravestone : James Clement McMichael (OBE) died in 1954.
Army Records
Roll of Individuals : Queen's Own Glasgow Yeomanry (Dragoons): Pte. McMichael, James C. (95074) 1962 Glasgow Yeomanry Dragoons. Transferred to R.F.C. 15/03/1917 (new no. 404020). British War and Victory medals administered by R.A.F.
Medal Index Card : Pte. James C. McMichael (1962) QOR Glasgow Y. 13th July 1915 with MEF (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force). 15th March 1917 transferred to RAF (404020 & 95074).
1901 Girthon Census, High Street : James C. McMichael (6, born Girthon) with father James (shop keeper, flesher) mother Margaret L. + 3 siblings.
1911 Girthon & Anwoth Censuses : no sign of James McMichael.
Girthon Banns : April 1888 James McMichael married Margaret Livingstone Sproat (James’ parents).
ScotlandsPeople Index : James Clement McMichael born at Girthon in 1895.
Hugh and James McMichael were brothers. James was known as “Clem”.
Gatehouse link : Born and educated in Gatehouse.
Robert McMinn
SRoH. Private Robert McMinn. Home: Boreland of Girthon, Gatehouse.
Enlisted December 1916, 9th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Transferred to 17th Highland Light Infantry.
Served on Western Front (Nieuport, & Passchendaele Ridge).
Wounded once at Passchendaele.
Medal Index Card : Pte Robert McMinn 21926 17 High/L. Victory & British medals.
1901 Census : only McMinns in the Gatehouse area were William C. McMinn (woodman ) at Barrhill Lodge, Girthon and wife Georgina + daughter Maggie L. McMinn.
There were Robert McMinns at Borgue (age 2), Kelton (26) and Twynholm (14). As there is no evidence of McMinns at Boreland of Girthon and we have no age guidance, we do not know if any of these Roberts joined the army.
1911 Census : no Robert McMinn in Anwoth, Girthon or Borgue but there was one in Twynholm.
Gatehouse link : Lived at Boreland of Girthon when he enlisted.
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