CHIRNSIDE
WAR MEMORIAL
World
War 1 & 2 - Detailed information
Compiled & Copyright © Mike Taylor 2025
The
memorial is located in the churchyard of the parish church, Kirkgate,
Chirnside, Berwickshire. The memorial takes the form of a Latin cross
with carved and engraved shaft, surmounting a square plinth with engraved
names, upon a square base set at an angle into the sloped ground. The
memorial was unveiled 18 December 1920 by the Earl of Home; the architect
was Robert Blackadder, the sculptor was Alexander Carrick, RSA, RBS.
There are 25 names for World War 1 listed in year order by surname,
forenames, rank. A futher memorial is located within the church for
those who died in World War 2 and takes the form of a wall mounted bronze
plaque on a wooden backboard this lists 40 names. There are 16 name
listed for World War 2. A newer list of names is to be found on a plaque
in the church that contains extra names that are not on the external
memorial. Additional names are marked with '+ '. Names have been sorted
into alphabetical order within conflict to ease reading and research.
IN
MEMORY
OF THOSE
FROM THIS PARISH
WHO FELL
IN THE
GREAT WAR
1914-1919
| AINSLIE,
MM |
James
[Tweedie] |
+
[Listed as ANSLIE on SDGW] Corporal 204259, 5th/6th Battalion,
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) formerly 200982, Highland Light Infantry.
Killed in action 13 July 1918. Aged 24. Born Edrom, Berwickshire,
enlisted Glasgow. Son of John and Elizabeth Ainslie, of 2, The Bridge,
Chirnside, Berwickshire. Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). No known
grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Panel 68 to 70. |
| BAIN |
William
|
Private.
1917 |
| CAIRNS |
Andrew |
+ Private. 1920 |
| CARTER |
Edward |
+ Private. 1919 |
| COCKBURN |
Andrew |
+ Private. 1916 |
| COCKBURN |
William
Webster |
Lance
Corporal S/8273, 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire
Buffs). Died of wounds 18 April 1917. Aged 35. Born Chirnside, Berwickshire,
enlisted East Ham, Essex. Son of Samuel and Mary Cockburn, of Crosshill,
Chirnside, Berwickshire; husband of L. P. A. Cockburn, of 48, Percy
Road, Canning Town, London. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY,
Pas de Calais, France. Plot XIX. Row C. Grave 10. |
| CRAIG |
Stewart
[McGregor] |
Private
S/3692,11th Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland
Highlanders). Killed in action 27 September 1915.Boprn and resident
Chirnside, Berwickshire, enlisted Berwick-On-Tweed, Northumberland.
No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France.
Panel 125 to 127. |
| DUNSE |
George
|
Private
24541 [SDGW] or 25451 [CWGC], 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish
Borderers. Killed in action 3 May 1917. Born, resident and enlisted
Chirnside, Berwickshire. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL,
Pas de Calais, France. Bay 6. |
| GRAHAM |
David |
+ Private. 1917 |
| GRAY |
Edward
[Leadbetter] |
+
Second Lieutenant, 13th Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
Accidentally killed in an aircraft crash just outside aerodrome
while flying in a De Havilland D.H.6, serial number C7663, at
Yatesbury, 22 March 1918. Aged 21. Son of Mrs. Gray, of Edrington
castle, Berwick-On-Tweed. Buried in MORDINGTON BURIAL GROUND,
Berwickshire. Row F. Grave 5.
Court
of Inquiry. 20783/1918. Capt. A. H. J.Vinsen & 2/Lt. E.
L. Gray.
The court haing
[sic s/b having] examined the wreckage and considered the
evidence are unable to form n [sic
s/b an] opinion as to the cause of the accident especially
as Capt. Vinson was an experienced pilot. The machine and engine
were apparently in serviceable condition and are of the opinion
that no blame can be attached to the rigger or fitter. The court
having carefully considered the evidence adheres to its previous
finding, but is of the opinion that Capt. Vinson was in a run
down state of health at the time of the accident.
|
| HAIG |
John
|
Private
10/3277, 2nd Battalion, Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F. Died 15 September
1916. Aged 29. Son of the late James and Margaret Haig, of Chirnside
Station, Berwickshire, Scotland. Buried in CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY,
LONGUEVAL, Somme, France. Plot IX. Row D. Grave 36. |
| HALL |
William
|
Private
4273, "E" Company, 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish
Borderers. Died in United Kingdom 2 October 1914. Aged 36. Born
Edinburgh, Midlothian, resident and enlisted Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Buried in DUNS CEMETERY, Berwickshire. Grave reference H. East.
531. |
| HERRIOT |
John
|
Private.
1916 |
| HEUGH |
William |
+ Private. 1917 |
| HILL |
Robert |
+
Gunner 167343, 169th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed
in action 15 April 1918. Aged 31. Born Choicely, Berwickshire, enlisted
Gateshead, Durham. Son of William and Agnes Hill; husband of Elizabeth
Martin Hill, of The Bridge, Chirnside, Berwickshire. Native of Greenlaw.
Formerly a Police Constable in Gateshead Borough Force. Buried in
BOVES WEST COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Row C. Grave
35. |
| HUNTER |
John
Alexander |
Private
201558, "D" Company, 1st/4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish
Borderers. Died of wounds in Egypt 27 April 1917. Aged 31. Born
and resident Chirnside, Berwickshire, enlisted Duns, Berwickshire.
Son of John and Jane Hunter, of Chirnside; husband of Helen Hunter,
of Pinefield Cottage, Chirnside, Berwickshire. Buried in ALEXANDRIA
(HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot A. Grave 40. |
| HUTCHISON |
James
|
Private
40290, 12th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) formerly 25145,
King's Own Scottish Borderers. Killed in action 12 April 1917. Aged
29. Born Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, enlisted Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Son of George Hutchison and Jane Renton Hutchison; husband of Sarah
Wilkinson Purves Hutchison, of South Cheviot View, Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Buried in ATHIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France.
Row F. Grave 5. |
| JEFFREY |
Thomas |
+
Bombardier 97101, "D" Battery, 315th Brigade, Royal Field
Artillery. Died in Unied Kingdom 12 November 1918. Aged 27. Born
at Ninewells Mill. Resident Chirnside, Berwickshire, enlisted Glasgow.
Son of Mary Jeffrey; husband of Isabella Jeffrey, of Stuarts Law,
Edrom. Buried in EDROM PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. Grave reference
E/FF. 3. |
| KERR |
George |
+ Private. 1915 |
| KINCAID |
Andrew
Duncan |
Second
Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Died
of wounds 23 March 1918. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES
MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 49 and 50. |
| KINCAID |
James
Brown |
Lieutenant,
13th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Killed in action
23 April 1917. Aged 27. Son of Robert Kincaid, B.A., of Hatton House,
Chirnside, Berwickshire, and the late Jane Brown Kincaid. His brother,
John Brown Kincaid, also died on service (see below). M.A. Hons.
(Edin.). No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de
Calais, France. Bay 1 and 2. |
| KINCAID |
John
Brown |
Second Lieutenant,
1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 3 May 1917.
Aged 25. Son of Robert Kincaid, B.A., of Hatton House, Chirnside,
Berwickshire, and the late Jane Brown Kincaid. His brother, James
Brown Kincaid, also died on service (see above). No known grave.
Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5. |
| McCLEOD |
Stewart |
+ Lance Corporal. 1918. |
| NELSON |
John
Rae |
Sergeant
10425, 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs). Killed
in action 16 August 1915. Aged 26. Born Hordington, Berwickshire,
enlisted Edinburgh, Midlothian. Son of Mrs. C. Nelson, of Brewery
Cottage, Chirnside, Berwickshire, and the late John Nelson. Buried
in PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE, Nord, France. Plot
VI. Row D. Grave 1. |
| OLIVER |
James
|
Private
351378, 9th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Killed in
action 25 March 1918. Aged 19. Born and resident Chirnside, Berwickshire,
enlisted Duns, Berwickshire. Son of John and Elizabeth Oliver, of
Chirnside, Berwick. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL,
Somme, France. Panel 13 and 14. |
| ROBERTSON |
James
|
Lance
Corporal 13315, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Killed in action 30
March 1916. Aged 23. Born and resident Chirnside, Berwickshire,
enlisted Berwick. Son of Mrs. Alice Robertson, of Gunsgreen Hill,
Ayton, Berwickshire. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN
GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 11. |
| ROBERTSON |
Joseph
[Douglas] |
+
Private 20341, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Died 13 May 1921.
Aged 51. Husband of Mary Robertson, of East End, Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. Plot 2. Row
K. Grave 2. |
| SCOTT |
James
|
Private
TR/2/43858, 53rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Died in United
Kingdom 26 October 1918. Born Duns, Berwickshire, resident Chirnside,
Berwickshire, enlisted Berwick-On-Tweed. Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH
CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. Plot 8. Row Q. Grave 3. |
| SCOTT |
William
|
Private
98136, 20th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 21902,
Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 24 March 1918. Aged 20.
Born Duns, Berwickshire, enlisted Chirnside, Berwickshire. Son of
Alexander and Helen Scott, of Brewery Buildings, Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Buried in CHAUNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION, Aisne, France.
Plot 1. Row I. Grave 3. |
| SHIELL |
James
|
Private
351119, 9th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Killed in
action 24 March 1917. Resident Chirnside, Berwickshire, enlisted
Peebles. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme,
France. Panel 13 and 14. |
| SHIELL |
John
|
Private
14244, 8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Killed in action
25 September 1915. Aged 28. Born, resident and enlisted Chirnside,
Berwickshire. Son of Alexander and Grace Shiell, of Gladstone Terrace,
Chirnside, Berwickshire. Buried in BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY,
BRITISH EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VI. Row D. Grave
9. |
| SHIELL |
Patrick |
+ Private. 1918 |
| SPENCE |
Alexander
aka Alex |
Private
45977, 2nd Battalion [3rd Battalion on SDGW], King's Own Scottish
Borderers. Died in United Kingdom 13 November 1918. Aged 30. Born
Bunkle, Berwickshire, resident Chirnside, Berwickshire, enlisted
Galashiels, Selkirk. Husband of Agnes Spence, of East End, Chirnside.
Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. Plot 7. Row
G. Grave 2. |
| SPENCE |
Robert
|
Private
41197, 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Died of wounds
10 February 1917. Aged 31. Born Edron, Berwickshire, enlisted Berwick-On-Tweed.
Son of Robert and Mary Spence, of West Foulden, Berwickshire, husband
of Margaret B. Spence, of Whitehall, Chirnside, Berwickshire. Buried
in MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT, Seine-Maritime, France.
Plot III. Row D. Grave 12. |
| SWANSON |
George |
+
{listed as SWANSTON on CWGC] Private 58834, 227th Company, Machine
Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 4761, Royal Highlanders. Killed in
action 27 July 1917. Aged 22. Enlisted Berwick. Son of George and
Mary Swanston, of The Bridge, Chirnside, Berwickshire. Buried in
CANADA FARM CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row G. Grave
28. |
| TURNBULL |
William
|
Acting
Lance Sergeant 351383, 9th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).
Killed in action 21 May 1917, Born and resident Chirnside, Berwickshire,
enlisted Edinburgh. Buried in ROEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais,
France. Row B. Grave 29. |
| TURNER |
James
|
Private
S/13426, 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs).
Killed in action 12 October 1916. Born Coldingham, Berwickshire,
enlisted Chirnside, Wickshire. No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL
MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 15 C. |
| VEIR |
Thomas
|
Private
403837, Labour Corps formerly 134, Royal Army Service Corps. Died
in United Kingdom 10 June 1918. Resident Chirnside, Berwickshire,
enlisted Duns, Berwickshire. Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD,
Berwickshire. Plot 7. Row G. Grave 3. |
| WATSON |
William
Alexander |
Corporal
13695, "D" Company, 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish
Borderers. Killed in action 25 September 1915. Aged 21. Born Chirnside,
Duns, Berwickshire, resident Duns, Berwickshire, enlisted Alloa,
Clackmannanshire. Son of George and Elizabeth Watson, of Windsor
Cottage, Chirnside, Berwickshire. No known grave. Commemorated on
LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 53 to 56. |
| WILSON |
Conrad
[Blackadder] |
+
Second Lieutenant, 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion (Territorial),
Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 7 February 1917. Buried
in PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot III.
Row O. Grave 7. |
TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN SACRED MEMORY
OF THE MEN FROM THIS
PARISH WHO LAID DOWN
THEIR LIVES IN THE
SECOND WORLD WAR |
| BAINBRIDGE |
George
|
Fusilier
3195580, 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Died 15 May
1944. Aged 30. Son of Benjamin and Isabella Bainbridge, of Chirnside,
Berwickshire. Buried in CASSINO WAR CEMETERY, IOtaly. Plot XI. Row
A. Grave 1. |
| BLACKIE |
James |
Lieutenant,
3rd Perthshire Battalion, Home Guard. Died 21 July 1943. Aged 30.
Son of William and Helen Paterson Blackie; husband of Elizabeth
Blackie, of Glenalmond, Perthshire. Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD,
Berwickshire. New Extn. Row A. Grave 5-3. |
| CLARK
|
Robert
|
Staff
Quartermaster Sergeant 10691139, Royal Army Service Corps. Died
14 October 1948. Aged 27. *** No further details *** |
| BISSET |
David
|
Sergeant
650022, 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 4 May 1944. Aged 22.
Son of James F. Bisset and Jessie Bisset, of Chirnside, Berwickshire.
Buried in POIVRES CHURCHYARD, Aube, France. Collective grave 24-34.
|
| COLLIN |
Thomas
|
Sergeant
1822863, 467 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died 9 June 1944. Aged 21. Son of Thomas H. Collin and Beatrice
Collin, of Chirnside. Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire.
New Extention Row F. Grave 7. |
| DEWAR |
William
Ramsay |
Flying
Officer 186249, 355 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died 28 September 1946. Aged 23. Son of Duncan Bell Dewar and Maggie
Jane Dewar, of Chirnside. Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD,
Berwickshire. New Extention Row G. Grave 20. |
| ELLIOTT |
John
|
Captain
121440, 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Died 24 January
1945. Aged 34. Son of William and Janet Elliot; husband of Mairi
Ann Elliot, of Edinburgh. Buried in SITTARD WAR CEMETERY, Limburg
, Netherlands. Row C. Grave 11. |
| FAIRLEY |
George
|
Stoker
1st Class C/KX158389, H.M.S. Redmill, Royal Navy. Killed in action
27 April 1945. Aged 21. Son of James M. Fairley and Davidina E.
Fairley, of Chimside; nephew of Isabella Johnston, of Chirnside.
Buried in CHIRNSIDE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. New Extention
Row D. Grave 9-3. |
| HALL |
Edward
|
Sergeant.
1943. |
| HASTIE |
John
Everest |
[Appears
to be listed as Ian HASTIE on memorial] Ordinary Seaman D/JX 272241,
H.M.S. Prince of Wales, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 10 December
1941. Aged 21. Born 6 August 1920 in Ayton, Berwick. Son of Alexander
and Jane Hastie, of Chirnside, Berwickshire. No known grave. Commemorated
on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 49, Column 2.
Extract
from Berwickshire News and General Advertiser - Tuesday
16 December 1941, page 6:
HIS
FIRST TRIP
Chirnside Man Aboard
H.M.S. Prince of Wales
HIS first trip to sea, a Chirnside sailor was one the members
of the crew of H.M.S. Prince of Wales, the British battleship
reported sunk off Malay with H.M.S. Repulse last week. He is
Seaman Ian Hastie, R.N.R., son of Mr and Mrs Alexander Hastie,
Ravelston, Chirnside.
Seaman
Hastie has only been in the Royal Navy for seven months, having
been called up with his class in May of this year, and had just
completed his shore training when he was posted to the Prince
of Wales —his first ship, last communication received
from him by his parents was written from a port in Africa, en
route for Singapore.
Seaman
Hastie was educated at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh,
and in civil life was employed at the head office of the Caledonia
Insurance Coy., in Edinburgh. His father, who is well known
in the district, was formerly a rubber planter in Penang. His
brother Thomas received injuries on board the “Athenia,”
first American ship to be sunk in the war. It is hoped, although
yet his parents have not received word, that Hastie is among
the 2000 survivors of the two ships landed at Singapore.
|
| HOGG |
Frank
|
Bombardier
4278585, 149 (The Lancashire Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal
Artillery. Died 6 April 1943. Aged 35. Son of James and Alice Renton
Hogg, of Chirnside, Berwickshire; husband of Mary Hogg. Buried in
SFAX WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia. Plot II. Row D. Grave 16. |
| JOHNSTON |
William
|
Gunner.
1944. |
| MABON |
Adam
|
Pilot
Officer 176721, 408 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve. Died 13 June 1944. Aged 28. Son of William Mabon, and of
Elizabeth Mabon, of Chirnside, Berwickshire, Scotland. His brother,
John William Pollock Mabon, also died on service (see below). Buried
in CANADA CEMETERY, TILLOY-LEZ-CAMBRAI, Nord, France. Plot 2. Row
G. Collective Grave 5-7. |
| MABON |
John
William [Pollock] aka Jack |
Sub-Lieutenant
(A), H.M.S. Jackdaw, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 19 October
1944. Aged 19. Son of William and Elizabeth Mabon, of Chirnside.
His brother Adam also died on service (see above). Buried in CHIRNSIDE
PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. South Side. Row L. Grave 1-3. |
| McKEACHIE |
Kenneth
Alfred [Alexander] |
Major
104810, King's Own Scottish Borderers attached to 3rd Battalion,
Nigeria Regiment, Royal West African Field Force (R.W.A.F.F.). Died
11 March 1945. Aged 28. Son of Alfred and Sybella Leonore McKeachie;
husband of Joan McKeachie, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. Buried in
TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar. Plot 11. Row G. Grave 15. |
| SPRATT |
Alexander
aka Alex |
Guardsman
2696036, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Died 17 March 1943. Aged 25.
Son of Andrew and Margaret Spratt, of Peelwalls. Buried in CHIRNSIDE
PARISH CHURCHYARD, Berwickshire. South Side. Row E. Grave 1. |
| TURNER |
James
W |
Private.
1945. |
| WALKER |
Robert
Buchan |
Stoker
1st Class P/KX121962, H.M. Submarine Untamed, Royal Navy. Died 30
May 1943. Aged 29. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Walker, of Chirnside,
Berwickshire. Buried in DUNOON CEMETERY, Argyllshire. South Section
3. Collective grave 26-50. |
Last
updated:
27 March, 2026
|
