Families at War
Five Cowdenbeath Brothers with the Colours
Mr Robert Smith Foulford Place Cowdenbeath has five sons serving with the colours. The “Courier” pointed out that fact to the King, and Mr Smith has received a letter from the Privy Purse Office saying that the King has heard with much interest that Mr Smith has five sons at this present moment serving in “His Majesty’s Forces” and expressing the Kings congratulations. The names of the soldiers Private John Smith, Fife and Forfar Yeomanry formerly of the Gordon Highlanders, Private Richard Smith, R.G.A. formerly of the 7th R.H; Private Robert Smith R.G.A; Private George Smith 7th R.H; and Corporal Thomas Smith 1st Black Watch who was promoted on the battlefield.
In the case of Mr David Stewart Lochore, who has nine sons and a son in law with the colours, and who has also received the King’s congratulations, the King’s attention to the fact was drawn by the “Courier”.(Dundee Courier 6 February 1915)
Cowdenbeath Families
There are five families in the Cowdenbeath district from whom there are 32 serving their country as soldiers. The D.C.M. has been won by two Kelty soldiers and 4 from Cowdenbeath, but the district figured only to prominently in the list of killed, wounded, and missing.
Patriotic Family hit Hard
A Cowdenbeath family can claim a proud record of service to their King and country. The above is a photograph of three brothers Galloway and a brother in law.
The wife of Sgt Wm Galloway, Black Watch who resides at 58 Arthur Place Cowdenbeath, has just been notified of the death of her husband by shell fire. He was killed on the eve of his 31st birthday. He was formerly a miner at Donobristle, and leaves a widow and a child. On the same day as Sgt Galloway was killed his brother Lance-Corporal John Galloway, Black Watch, was wounded. Private Joseph Galloway, Black Watch, another brother was killed in the recent fighting, while Private John Campbell brother in law is still at the front, another brother in law Private Archie Anderson, Black Watch, is suffering from severe shrapnel wounds, his body being particularly riddled (Dundee Courier 24 November 1916)
Husband and Brothers Killed
Another Brother Missing
One of the most unfortunate victims of the war is Mrs William Stewart, 41 Lochgelly Road Lumphinnans who yesterday received official information that her husband, Private William Stewart, of the Royal Scots, was killed in action July 15.
Stewart who was a miner with the Wilson Clyde Coal Company, Glencraig, enlisted at the outbreak of war, and ever since his going to France, thirteen months ago has been engaged as a sniper because of his expert shooting.
He leaves a widow and three of a family. What makes the circumstances of the case so pathetic is the fact that while Mrs Stewart has been a confirmed invalid for the past three years two of her brothers had laid down their lives for their country and another was reported missing ten months ago.
Both Mr and Mrs Stewart hail from Dundee. Mrs Stewart’s brothers who were killed and missing were, Sergeant James Swan, Cameron Highlanders, Arthur Place Cowdenbeath, killed at Loos; Private Andrew Swan, Cameron Highlanders, 11 Thistle Street Cowdenbeath, killed at the Aisne; and Private Thomas Swan, Black Watch, (marked Dundee) who was reported missing in Egypt 10 months ago, and of whom no further information has been had, and there is little doubt that he too has laid down his life.
Lansdale Terrace
Lansdale Terrace a mining suburb of Cowdenbeath holds a unique record. There are only forty houses and over forty recruits have come forward to prepare to take their places in the fighting line. Three more recruits than houses is an indication of the patriotism of the Cowdenbeath Districts.
Patriotic Cowdenbeath Family
Sustains its first break
A patriotic family of Cowdenbeath has sustained its first break, by the death in action of Private Robert Bowman, of the Black Watch, Wardlaw Street,
Bowman was wounded some time ago but recovered sufficiently to back to the front and to pay the hero’s price of patriotism.
Of the family, four sons have donned the khaki, while the father is Private Alexander Bowman of the Black Watch. His regiment is a favourite with the family, for of the others two sons have chosen this regiment. Privates, James Bowman and Alexander Bowman. The only exception is Private William Bowman, who is in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. Information is also to hand that a friend of Private Bowman, Private George Cowan of the Black Watch, has been seriously wounded, Bowman is well known in the district, enlisted at the outbreak of the war. (Dundee Evening Telegraph 8 February 1918)
Patriotic Cowdenbeath family
Mr William Reid, 16 Chapel Street Cowdenbeath, has received the following letter from the keeper of the Privy Purse: -Sir- I am commanded by the King to convey to you an expression of his Majesty’s appreciation of the patriotic spirit which has prompted your four sons and son in law to give their services at the present time to the Army. The King was much gratified to hear of the manner of which they have so readily responded to the call of their sovereign and their country, and I am to express to you and to them.
His Majesty’s congratulation that you have contributed in so full a measure to the great cause to which the people of the British Empire are bravely fighting. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant. F. Ponsonby. (Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 September 1915)
Family of seven sons at Cowdenbeath
All serving King and Country
The Cowdenbeath district is gaining prominence for patriotic families. While Lochore holds the record of eight sons and a son in law wearing the uniform, there is a Cowdenbeath family of seven sons all serving their King. They come of a regimental family, the father (now deceased) Thomas Buchan having served all through the American Civil War.
The family comprises seven sons and one daughter, and all the sons have answered their country’s call. The order is, Private Henry Buchanan A.S.C. Sergeant James Buchanan, 7th Black Watch, who lately served with the Cameronians and saw service in the Sudan War.
Private Thomas Buchanan, of the Cameron Highlanders, who was in Canada at the outbreak of the war, and was called up as a reserve. Private Robert Buchanan 7th Black Watch.
Private George Buchanan, Cameron Highlanders. Private David Buchanan 2nd Black Watch. At present on active service. Private John Buchanan 7th Black Watch.
(Dundee Evening telegraph, 6 January 1915)
Patriotic Cowdenbeath family
Mr James Allan High Street Cowdenbeath has five sons serving with King and country. Four of them have been wounded at the front. Private John Allan, Royal Scots, who served during the Boer War, went to the front at the commencement of the present war. He was wounded recently in the head. The second oldest is Private James Allan 1st Black Watch, who was wounded at the Aisne. The next in order is Alexander Allan 2nd Black Watch who has been sent home recently after being wounded in the left leg, left hand, and mouth. Lance- Corporal Allan K.O.S.B. was wounded and sent back to the firing line at Hill 60. The youngest son is George Allan 3/7 Black watch.
War Takes Heavy Toll of Cowdenbeath Family
Which Has Great Military Record
The war has laid a heavy hand on the household of Mr and Mrs James Thomson 49 Thistle Street Cowdenbeath. Their eldest son James who was in the Scots Greys for seven years before the war, he re-enlisted on the outbreak of hostilities in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and while in training contracted a disease which proved fatal. Their next son a member of the Scots Guards – Private William Thomson – joining a year before the war, At La Bassee he was killed. A grandson Private Andrew Thomson – who resided in the house has been sent home discharged. He has lost his right eye and his head is badly damaged.
Another son Private Andrew Thomson R.G.A. is at present at the front in France. The aged couple have in all over 60 near relatives serving. It is in all respects a Military Family, for the father James Thomson, was himself a soldier for 31 years. Despite his sixty odd years, he again tried to enlist at the beginning of the present war, and was disappointed that his services could not be utilised.
Foulford Place, Kirkford, Cowdenbeath.
Houses in Mourning
Kirkford has indeed paid the penalty of War. In one street there are no fewer than thirteen casualties, ten of them leaving widows and children. The majority were miners who enlisted at the outbreak of the war. Private James Derrick, Royal Scots, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and three children. Private John Bell, Black Watch, also leaves a widow and three children, while his brother, Private Robert Bell, Black Watch, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and three children. Corporal Charles Scott, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and three children. Private George Scullion, Black Watch, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and one child. Private Alex. Bremner, Black Watch, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and seven children. Private Thomas Smith, Black Watch, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and one child. Private Robert Summerville, Black Watch, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and three children. Private F. Strachan, Scots Guards, Foulford Place, leaves a widow and one child. Private William Hughes, Black Watch, Foulford Place, and his brother Thomas Hughes, also of the Black Watch, have been killed in action, and Gunner Owen Moran, R.G.A., Foulford Place.
Cowdenbeath War Memorial 