WINCHBURGH’S 1939-1945 WAR DEAD
by
ALEX. WOOD
INTRODUCTION
What follows is the text of a presentation made on 6 May 2025 to the Winchburgh History and Heritage Group to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The presentation has been made subsequently to other local groups. It seeks to honour the men of Winchburgh village who died in the Second World War.
There are 25 names on Winchburgh War Memorial’s World War Two plate, in respect of two of whom it has proved impossible to identify any details: Private Charles Clarke and AC2 Thomas Thompson. The author would be grateful if anyone can provide some details on Charles Clarke or Thomas Thompson.
The stories of each serviceman have been gleaned from various sources, including birth, marriage and death records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission data, valuation rolls, the 1921 census and newspaper articles. Again, the author would be delighted if anyone can provide further details on any of these men.
The first of the Winchburgh servicemen to be killed was Private John Tervit and he appears first in this collection of brief biographies. The remaining servicemen then appear in chronological order by date of death.
JOHN TERVIT or TERVET
John Tervit, son of Robert Tervit and Catherine Jane Thomson, was born on 16 June 1913 in 4 New Breich, Livingston. By 1920 he and his parents and five sisters were living at 5 Abercorn Place, Winchburgh, where the family remained until at least 1940.
He was serving with the 1st Battalion (a regular battalion) the Royal Scots in France in 1940, prior to Dunkirk, was initially reported as missing and was then reported as having been killed on 27 May 1940. He is buried in Le Paradis War Cemetery, Lestrem, France but is also commemorated on the family gravestone in Winchburgh Cemetery.
PETER MCCLEARY
Peter McCleary, son of John McCleary and Georgina Jones, was born on 27 October 1918 at 33 Oakbank Place, Winchburgh. His father was a shale miner’s drawer. He had at least one sister and three brothers. His family was residing at 63 Midhope Place, Winchburgh, in 1940. Peter served in the Royal Navy, on HMS Afrikaner IV, and was lost on 17 April 1941, aged 22. He is buried in Stellawood Cemetery, Durban, South Africa. His grave carries the inscription: UNTIL THE DAY DAWN.
HUGH DUNCAN
Hugh Duncan, son of Andrew Duncan and Helen Thomson, was born in Redding, near Falkirk, on 26 May 1915. The family was residing in Main Street, Brightons, Polmont, in 1921. By 1937 the family was residing in Winchburgh. In that year Hugh Duncan married Susannna Gibson from Broxburn. In 1940, Andrew Duncan, Hugh’s father, owned the Fish Restaurant in 10/12 Main Street, Winchburgh, and resided at 24 Main Street, Winchburgh. He owned the block in which he lived and was the owner of three other properties and a garage, which he let, in that block. Hugh Duncan was serving as a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps when he was killed, on 23 April 1941, in Greece. He is commemorated on the Athens Memorial in Greece.
KILLED IN ACTION – Word has been received from the Middle East by Mrs Hugh Duncan, Faucheldean, that her husband, Private Hugh Duncan, has been killed in action. Pte Duncan is a son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Duncan, Main Street, Winchburgh. This is the second war casualty in the Village. West Lothian Courier, 16 May 1941
HUGH COWAN TAYLOR
Hugh Cowan Taylor, son of John Taylor, foreman bricklayer, and Jeanie Gow, was born on 28 November 1910 in 11 Duntarvie View, Winchburgh. By 1921, Hugh was a scholar, aged 10, residing with his mother who was an Orcadian, five brothers and a sister at 17 Hopetoun Place, Winchburgh. His father was not present – possibly working away from home.
From at least 1915 until at least 1920, John Taylor, Bricklayer, was the tenant of 17 Hopetoun Place, Winchburgh, and from at least 1925 until at least 1940 he was the tenant of 58 Main Street, Winchburgh.
Sergeant Hugh Cowan served with 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He died while flying an Avro Lancaster, on which he was the rear-gunner, 1 on 28 August 1942, on an operational flight over Kassel, Germany. He was then aged 31 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
REPORTED MISSING – Rear-Gunner Sergeant Hugh Taylor, 55 Main Street, Winchburgh, has been officially reported missing between 27th and 28th August. Hugh served his time as a joiner with the Scottish Oils Ltd., joined the Royal Air Force some time ago. He received part of his training in this country, after which he was sent to Canada. On completing his training there, he was posted back to this country. He has a brother serving in the Army and another with the Navy, while his sister is in the W.A.A.F. Linlithgowshire Gazette, 4 September 1942
WILLIAM AYTON MURRAY
William Ayton Murray, son of William Ewart Gladston Murray and Jane Ayton, was born on 13 September 1911 in Tankerton, Denny, Stirlingshire. By 1921 the Murray family (William senior, a boiler foreman at Oakbank Oil Works, Jane, William junior, and his siblings, John, Helen, Robert and James) were residing in 22 Abercorn Place, Winchburgh. By 1940 the family had moved to 9 Abercorn Place. William Murray served with the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Scots, in China where he was taken prisoner by the Japanes after the fall of Hong Kong. He died on either the 1st or 2nd of October 1942. He is commemorated on the Saiwan Memorial in Hong Kong.
PRISONER OF WAR – Mr and Mrs William Murray, 9 Abercorn Place, have received intimation that their son, Pte. William Murray, Royal Scots, missing since the capitulation of Hong Kong in December last, is a prisoner in Japanese hands. Pte. Murray was forn]merely employed by Oakbank Oil Co. Ltd. At Niddry Castle Works, and was some years ago a well-known playing member of Winchburgh Albion F.C. Linlithgowshire Gazette, 24 July 1942
JAMES STIRLING
James Stirling, son of Thomas Dingwall Stirling, shale miner, and Margaret Rennie, was born in 82 Midhope Place, Winchburgh, on 14 October 1922. He, his parents and his siblings (Janet, 12, Mary, 11, Thomas, 7, William, 5, Walter, 2, and Margaret, 5 months), remained at 82 Midhope Place, in 1921 and were there until at least 1935. The family had moved to 84 Millgate by 1940.
‘A quiet, unassuming young man, he was a general favourite in the village where, before being called up, he was employed at Niddry Castle Oil-works. He was a brother of “Tommy” Stirling, the well-known junior footballer, and he was a promising player himself.”
James Stirling was serving as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy on board HMS Phoebe. On October 23 1942 HMS Phoebe, while on convoy defence duty, sailing for Freetown, was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine U161. Phoebe sustained major structural damage and flooding. James Stirling died during this action. James Stirling and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was 20 years of age when he was killed.
DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE – Mr and Mrs Thomas Stirling, 81 Millgate, Winchburgh, have received intimation that their son, Seaman James Stirling, R.N., has died on active service. The youngest of four sons and one daughter, all in the services, deceased celebrated his twentieth birthday last week. A quiet, unassuming young man, he was a general favourite in the village where, before being called up, he was employed at Niddry Castle Oil Works. He was a brother of Tommy Stirling, the well-known junior footballer, and was a promising player himself. Linlithgowshire Gazette, 30 October 1942
WALTER MACKIE STIRLING
Walter Mackie Stirling was the younger brother of James Stirling, and therefore the second in the Stirling family to be killed. He was born on 21 June 1918 in 113 Craigton Place, Winchburgh, and resided, as had his brother, in 82 Midhope Place, and in 84 Millgate.
Walter Mackie Stirling was killed, aged 24, on 19 November 1942 while serving as a Private with the 8th Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and was buried in Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery in Tunisia.
News of his death reached his parents in 1943.
GEORGE PRESTON
George Preston, son of George Preston, Stone Quarrier, and Margaret Stewart, was born at Duntarvie Castle on 29 May 1922.. The family is at Duntarvie in 1920 (on property owned by Roxburgh and Forrest Ltd.), and on the 1921 census are noted as George and Margaret, the parents, and George’s siblings, Alexander, 14, Nellie, 9, John, 7, Elspeth, 4, and Margaret, 2. The family were then residing, from at least 1925 until at least 1935, at Craigton, again on property owned by Roxburgh and Forrest Ltd., before returning to Duntarvie by 1940.
George Preston was serving as a Private with the 7/10th Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, when he was killed, aged 20, at El Alamein in North Africa on 24 October 1942, the first significant British victory in the War. He was buried, along with some 6,400 other Allied service personnel, in El Alamein War Cemetery.
JOHN ROBERTSON MCCRAN
John Robertson McCran, son of John McCran, shale miner, and Margaret Doherty, was born on 4 February 1913 in Main Street, Winchburgh. By 1921 John, his parents and his siblings (Mary, aged 3, and Alex., aged 11 months) were residing in 104 Kinscavil Rows.
John Robertson McCran was serving as a Stoker, 2nd Class, on board H.M. Trawler Horatio when he died, aged 29 on 7 January 1943. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.
Horatio was a Shakespearian-class naval trawler, launched on 8 August 1940. She served in World War II as a minesweeper and was sunk by the German motor torpedo boat S-58 off Cap de Garde, near Bône, Algeria. Two crew members survived the sinking and were captured by the German navy.
JAMES WYLIE MILLAR
James Wylie Millar, son of Henry Millar and Margaret Martin, died on 22 February 1943 while a Prisoner of the Japanese. He married Catherine Grant Newton Cairney (a brickworker, then residing in 33 Millgate, Winchburgh) in Winchburgh Parish Church on the 10th of July 1936. He was then a brickworker, residing in Broxburn and noted as aged 24 (implying a year of birth of about 1912). He was serving as a Private in the Royal Army Ordnance when he was captured at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. His wife was residing in Rose Lea, Winchburgh at the time of his death. There is some confusion as to where he died: the West Lothian Courier (17 September 1943) indicates that he died in Malai Camp, Japan, while the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports him as commemorated in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.
JOHN NAIRN LEISHMAN THOMSON
John Nairn Leishman Thomson, son of Frank Thomson, farm steward, and Janet Leishman, was born on 26 July 1906 at Lochmill, Aberlady, East Lothian. In 1921 John, by then aged 15, was a farm servant, residing with his parents and nine siblings at Lower Dalhousie Farm Cottages, Cockpen, Midlothian.
He married Phyllis Donaldson Brown, at the Manse, Crammond, on 6 August 1940. He was then noted as a quarry labourer, residing in Corstorphine. His wife however resided in 62 Niddry Rows, Winchburgh. She was the daughter of Agnes Tuppenny Brown who had married Robert Baird, Shale Miner. John and Phyllis had a son, also John Leishman Thomson, born on 4 August 194, in 62 Niddry Rows, Winchburgh. John was then serving as a Private in the Royal Scots.
In the spring of 1943, the 1st Battalion, the Royal Scots, engaged in the Burma campaign, was facing a powerful Japanese attack and lost significant numbers. On 3 April 1943 the battalion suffered 39 fatal casualties, including Lance Corporal John Leishman Thomson.
He is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial in Myanmar, on which memorial are inscribed the words: HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY SEVEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS OF THE MANY RACES UNITED IN THE SERVICE OF THE BRITISH CROWN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN BURMA AND ASSAM BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WARDENIED THE CUSTOMARY RITES ACCORDED TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH. THEY DIED FOR ALL FREE MEN.
STEPHEN MCKEON
Stephen McKeon, son of John McKeon, Retortman, and Margaret Gillespie, was born on 28 January 1919, in 21 Niddry Rows, Winchburgh, an address at which his family, father and mother and three brothers (Michael, aged 12, Patrick, aged 10, and James, aged 7) were still residing at the time of the 1921 census.
152 (Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (TA) was formed as a duplicate of 151 (Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment in April 1940 with two batteries . In January 1941, a third battery was formed. The Regiment arrived in Algeria in November 1942. Stephen McKeon was serving in North Africa in 1943 as a Gunner with the 152 (Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, the Royal Artillery. He was killed, aged 24, on 22 April 1943 and is buried in Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.
JOHN PORTEOUS DUNCAN
John Porteous Duncan, son of Andrew Duncan and Isabella Baillie, was born on 13 November 1919 in 47 Niddry Row, Winchburgh. He, his parents and his siblings (Janet, aged 11, and Andrew, aged 6) remained in 47 Niddry Row, at the time of the 1921 census. The family was residing in 54 Niddry Rows from at least 1925 until at least 1940.
He was a member of the local Territorials.
On 5 December 1942 John Porteous Duncan married Janet Leitch Morris Gordon, a Domestic Servant in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. He was then noted as a Gunner in the Royal Artilley. He was the second fatal casualty in the Duncan family. His older bother, Hugh Duncan, has already been mentioned.
He died, as a result of an accident, aged 23 years, on 30 April 1943 and is buried in Winchburgh Cemetery. His grave carries the inscription, SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. At the time of his death he was serving with the Pioneer Corps.
SOLDIER’S DEATH – As a result of an accident in England, Pte. John Duncan, of the Pioneer Corps, lost his life. Pte. Duncan was a member of the West Lothian Territorials and an active member of the Winchburgh Home Guard before joining up twelve months ago. He was married in December 1942, and his wife is a member of the W.A.A.F. His father, Andrew Duncan, better known as “Curley,” was a member of the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in the last Great War, and had three and a half years’ active service. He is still doing his bit with the 10th Platoon, No. 1 Company of the West Lothian Home Guard. Pte. Duncan was brought home to Niddry and was buried in Winchburgh Cemetery on Wednesday. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack. The Home Guard Silver Band, along with members of the Home Guard, A.R.P., N.F.S. and Observer Corps escorted the cortege to the cemetery. The Rev. John Balfour held an impressive service at the graveside. Three volleys were fired after which Trumpeter John McMullan sounded the “Last Post.” Linlithgowshire Gazette, 14 May 1943
JOHN MORRIS MCCABE
John Morris McCabe, son of William McCabe, a Contractor, and Mary Ann Morris, was born at The Myre, Abercorn Parish, on 20 January 1912. The McCabes had been at the Myre since at least 1891. In 1921 the family remained at The Myre, with his father described as a Dairyman, Employer. John McCabe married Jane Schoular Stenhouse, from Uphall, on 30 December 1932 in Uphall Manse. John M McCabe and Jane Stenhouse had two children. Jean Schoular McCabe was born on 23 June 1933 at Nettlehill Cottage, Uphall Station. John McCabe was then a milk salesman, residing at Nettlehill Cottage. In 1933 John McCabe and his brothers were charged with assault but the charge was found to be not proven. William George Boag McCabe was born on 17 June 1937 in the Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh. At that point John McCabe was noted as a motor bus driver, residing at the Myre, Winchburgh.
John McCabe served initially in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and subsequently in 100 Independent Tank Squadron, the Royal Armoured Corps, in which he was a sergeant when he was killed, aged 31, in Thailand on 30 November 1943. He is buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand. Kanchanaburi is on the River Kwai.
THOMAS DEVLIN
Thomas Devlin, son of Thomas Devlin, Oil Worker, and Annie Mary Gillian, was born in 1 Niddry Rows, Winchburgh, on 17 July 1920. The family – comprising Thomas, his parents and two sisters (Mary aged 4 and Bridget aged 2) remained in 1 Niddry Rows at the time of the 1921 census. They remained there until at least 1935. Thomas Devlin senior and his family were residing in 21 Millgate in 1940, at which address Thomas senior died in 1951. Thomas Devlin was employed at Scottish Oils and enlisted as a Gunner in 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Light Anti-Aircraft/ Anti-Tank Regiment, the Royal Artillery. He served in North Africa, Sicily and France where he was wounded. He was brought to England and died, aged 23, on 13 June 1944. He is buried in Winchburgh Cemetery and his grave carries the following inscription: HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. ON HIS SOUL SWEET JESUS, HAVE MERCY R.I.P.
DIED FROM WOUNDS – Gunner Thomas Devlin, aged 23 years, died through wounds received when the B.E.F. invaded France. He was through all the desert fighting previous to the invasion and was wounded twice in North Africa. He also took part in the invasion of Sicilay. Gunner Devlin was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Devlin, 21 Millgate, Winchburgh. Before joining up he worked with the Scottish Oils Ltd. Gunner Devlin was brought from France in a plane to a hospital in England where he died. He was buried in Winchburgh Cemetery last Sunday with full military honours. The Home Guard assembled at the British Legion Hall along with the members of the British Legion, N.F.S. and members of other Civil Defence units and commaned by Lieutenant W.F.G. Scott they marched to the church and formed up outside until the service in church was completed. The coffin draped with the Union Jack was carried by six members of the Home Guard, who acted a pall-bearers, preceded by the altar boys and the Rev. Father Kenny B.D. The Home Guard Band played the “Dead March” in Saul while they slowly marched to the cemetery, followed by other mourners. There as a large turnout of the public, and a very impressive service was conducted by Father Kenny at the graveside. In a tribute to the deceased, he said, “Again we mourn the loss of one of our boys who lay today before the altar, where he received his first Communion, and where many times during his short life he received again and again our hand in his Holy Communion. A short life but a life laid down for you and me that we may live in peace and comfort. It is the flower of the country preserving our nation from harm, ruin and disaster for our children yet to be born – like the Crusaders of old, fighting, bleeding and dying for God, King, and country, and for us”. After the service the firing party fired three volleys, and the “Last Post” was sounded by Private John McMullan. Linlithgow Gazette, 23 June 1944
JOHN FEERICK
John Feerick, son of John Feerick, Oil Worker, and Elizabeth Maddock, was born in 30 Niddry Rows, Winchburgh, on 26 October 1923. His family remained at 30 Niddry Rows in 1925. Prior to the War, John Feerick was employed at Hopetoun Oil Works. At the point of enlistment, John Feerick resided with his grandmother, Mrs Maddock, at 7 Millgate, Winchburgh.
He served in the 6th Battalion, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and was killed, aged 20, in France, on 17 July 1944, six weeks after D-Day. He is buried in Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery in France.
WINCHBURGH CASUALTIES News has been received that two Winchburgh soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice in Normandy. They are Fusilier John Feerick (20), and Fusilier Thomas Hutchison (29), both of the R.S.F. Both died in the same action.
Fusilier Feerick resided with his grandmother, Mrs Waddock, 7 Millgate, Winchburgh, and was formerly employed at Hopetoun Oil Works.
Fusilier Hutchison was the son of the late Mr. Robert Hutchison and Mrs Hutchison, Castle Terrace, Winchburgh, and was formerly a shale miner employed by Oakbank Oil Coy., Ltd. His wife and family reside at Bridgend, Linlithgow. West Lothian Courier, 25 August 1944
THOMAS HUTCHISON
Thomas Hutchison, son of Robert Hutchison, Shale Miner, and Alison Reid, was born in 72 Castle Terrace, Winchburgh, on 28 March 1915. The family remained at 72 Castle Terrace at the time of the 1921 census. He
He married Isabella Martin Ferguson on 12 December 1941 in Linlithgow Manse. He was then a Shale Miner’s Drawer.
His son, Thomas Ferguson Hutchison, was born on 29 March 1942 in 20 Auldhill Crescent, Bridgend. He was residing in Bridgend and was employed at Oakbank Oil Company before he enlisted.
He was serving, along with John Feerick, as a Private in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, in France in 1944. He was killed, aged 28, on 9 August 1944 and is buried in St Charles De Percy War Cemetery in France.
HARRY LAVERY
Harry Lavery is noted on the Winchburgh War Memorial as Private Henry Lavery. He was in fact a lance-bombardier in the Royal Artillery (in which he had enlisted in 1930) and serving in France with No. 6 Commando when he was reported wounded, missing, and believd a prisoner of war on 18 August 1944. He was later confirmed to have died of wounds while in enemy hands on that date. No. 6 Commando had been engaged in operations at Bavent, France.
He was born on 4 January 1913 in Uphall, the son of Henry Lavery, Shale Miner, and his wife, Bridget McCafferty. Henry Lavery, miner, and his family were residing in 49 Main Street, Winchburgh, from at least 1935 until at least 1940.
His mother, Mrs Bridget Lavery, was fined in November 1940 (Linlithgowshire Gazette, 23 November 1940) for “having caused or permitted a light to be displayed from a roofed building in such circumstances that illumination was visible from outside”. Bridget Lavery died in 1954 in Bangour Hospital. The Lavery family were then residing in 148 Millgate, Winchburgh.
Henry Lavery married Eileen Gertrude Hodson in April 1936 in Alton, Hampshire. They had one son, Gerard Lavery, born in 1936. His wife was residing in Feltham, Middlesex, at the time of his death.
ALEX MUTTER
Alex Mutter, son of Andrew Mutter, was born in Inverness on 28 July 1916, at which time his father was serving in France with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. At the end of WW1, the family moved to Broxburn, from where Andrew Mutter had originated. The family then settled in Broomhouse, close to Niddry Castle. There were two other brothers, Andrew and Duncan. Alex Mutter attended Winchburgh School for his Primary education but then transferred to Queen Victoria School Dunblane. As a teenager he rescued a man who had fallen into the Union Canal. Alex Mutter enlisted 71 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery, a Territorial unir, on 30 September 1940. His unit was involved during the Blitz in anti-aircraft service in Belfast and in the English Midlands. In 1943 his unit was transferred to North Africa. Alex then transferred to the 16th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. His battalion then took part in the Italian campaign, in the area of Bologna. On 22nd November 1944 they crossed the Cosina River and on the next day, 24 November, attacked the hamlet of Corla. It was in this action that Alex Mutter was seriously wounded, dying, aged 28, later in the same day from his wounds. He was buried in Cesena War Cemetery, Italy. His grave carries the inscription, IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALEX OUR DEAR SON AND BROTHER. WE THINK OF YOU ALWAYS. LOVING MOTHER AND BROTHERS.
WILLIAM BLAIKIE CRICHTON
William Blackie Crichton, son of James Orr Crichton, Retortman, and Isabella Blackie was born on 29 May 1920 in 92 Midhope Place, Winchburgh. The family, including his two brothers, remained in 92 Midhope Place in 1921. By 1940 they had moved to 90 Midhope Place. William Crichton commenced work at Scottish Oils at Niddry Castle Oilworks at the age of 14. He was called up in July 1940 and served at home for two years before being posted to Burma with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots. He was killed, aged 24, on 2 February 1945. He is buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. His grave carries the inscription, LOVING MEMORIES, TREASURED FOR EVER, OF DAYS WHEN WE WERE ALL TOGETHER
Winchburgh Man Killed in ActionPte.
WILLIAM CRICHTON
Private William Crichton, Royal Scots, killed in action in Burma, is the son of Mr. James Crichton, 166 Millgate, Winchburgh, and the late Mrs. Crichton. He was 24 years of age. Private Crichton, previous to being called up, was employed by the Scottish Oils Ltd., at Niddry Castle Oilworks, Winchburgh. He started work at the age of 14, and was called to the forces in July 1940. He served two yars in this country before being posted overseas in the spring of 1942. He has been through some of the severest fighting in Burma in the last three years, and was with the Royal Scots when they broke through the Japanese lines to assist the heavily outnumbered and surrounded garrison at Imphal. He was also with the battalion when they captured the important Burmese town of Pinwe. Private Crichton was a keen bowler and was also an enthusiastic supporter of the local football team, He had many friends in the village and was liked by all who came in contact with him. Linlithgowshire Gazette, 23 February 1945
HUGH BORTHWICK KING
Hugh Borthwick King, son of Alexander King, Shale Miner, and Isabella Brown Borthwick, was born in Castle Road, Winchburgh, on 13 July 1912. He, his parents and his four brothers and two sisters, were residing in 32 Castle Road, Winchburgh, at the time of the 1921 census.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was a Sergeant in 626 Squadron, flying Avro Lancaster bombers over Germany, in 1945 and was shot down and killed on 22 February 1945. All eight of the crew were killed. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
ALEXANDER MCCONNEL
Alexander McConnell, son John McConnell, Brakeman, and Christina Jardine Young, was born in Kirknewton on 20 August 1902. By the time of the 1911 census the family was residing in 72 Midhope Place, Winchburgh. By 1915 they had moved to 119 Craigton Place, Winchburgh, and remained there until at least 1935. Alexander McConnell was noted on the 1921 census as a general labourer. At some point between the wars he emigrated to Australia. He was serving with the 4 Reserve Motor Transport Company of the Australian Army Service Corps in Malaya when he died on 9 June 1945. He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial in Malaya.
ARCHIBALD BISHOP
Archibald Reid Bishop, son of Robert Bishop, Retortman, and Helen Main, was born on 22 April 1918, in 118 Craigton Place, Winchburgh. The family continued to live there until at least 1945. He was a very popular young man who was employed at Niddry Castle works.
He married Sarah Jones Balloch Beveridge in Dunsyre on 16 September 1938. He was then noted as Archibald Reid Bishop, an oil worker, aged 20, residing in 118 Craigton Place, Winchburgh. They had two children, Sarah, born in 1938, and Robert, born in 1940.
Archibald Bishop was a member of the local Territorials and served with the 39 Battery, 14 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the Royal Artillery in North Africa (including at the siege of Tobruk) and in Italy. He had returned to the England after VE Day. He was cycling when he was knocked down by a motor car on 26 August 1945. His body was brought home to Winchburgh and buried in Winchburgh Cemetery with full military honours.
Although the war was over by the time of his death he was, at the time, a serving soldier.
The Winchburgh War Memorial erroneously notes him as Hugh A. Bishop.
There is also another interesting war grave in Winchburgh Cemetery, P. R. MACMILLAN, of the RAF who died in service in 1946. But who is not noted on the War Memorial.
