Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell from Durris, Scotland
Item
Title
Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell from Durris, Scotland
Who?
Charles Robert Willox. Private, 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
David Milne Campbell, Sapper, Canadian Divisional Engineers.
David Milne Campbell, Sapper, Canadian Divisional Engineers.
Item(s)
1. Photograph of Charles Robert Willox. 1 image.
2. Notes about Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell. 1 image.
3. Photograph of David Milne Campbell and newspaper cutting concerning his death. 1 image.
4. Letter from the Canadian Record Office in London informing the parents of the death of David Milne Campbell. 1 image.
2. Notes about Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell. 1 image.
3. Photograph of David Milne Campbell and newspaper cutting concerning his death. 1 image.
4. Letter from the Canadian Record Office in London informing the parents of the death of David Milne Campbell. 1 image.
Story
Charles Robert Willox was cousin to my grandfather Sidney McLennan. He was born on 02/08/1897 at Maryculter, Kincardineshire, Scotland, the son of George Willox and Christina Willox née McLennan. They lived at Denside, Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He was killed in action on 05/09/1916 in France. He is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France on Panel 15C, along with other Gordon Highlanders.
At a chance meeting at the Family History Society somebody told me that his neighbour had found a “dead man’s penny” in his garden. This was the name given to a bronze plaque, almost five inches across, which was given to the next-of-kin of every serviceman killed in the 1914-18 War. I asked about the name on it. “Willox” was the reply. "Not Charles?" I asked. A phone-call in the evening confirmed my hopes. Yes, Charles Willox was indeed the name which appeared on it.
Charles had a sister, Mary, who married James Campbell on 29/01/1918 in Aberdeen. He was a company sergeant major in the Gordon Highlanders. James also lost a brother in the First World War. He was David Milne Campbell. He was born on 04/01/1891, the son of James Campbell and Isabella Campbell, née Kay. They lived at Brachmont, Durris. He was killed in action on 09/05/1915 in Belgium. He is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 10.
Both Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell are commemorated on the Durris War Memorial.
At a chance meeting at the Family History Society somebody told me that his neighbour had found a “dead man’s penny” in his garden. This was the name given to a bronze plaque, almost five inches across, which was given to the next-of-kin of every serviceman killed in the 1914-18 War. I asked about the name on it. “Willox” was the reply. "Not Charles?" I asked. A phone-call in the evening confirmed my hopes. Yes, Charles Willox was indeed the name which appeared on it.
Charles had a sister, Mary, who married James Campbell on 29/01/1918 in Aberdeen. He was a company sergeant major in the Gordon Highlanders. James also lost a brother in the First World War. He was David Milne Campbell. He was born on 04/01/1891, the son of James Campbell and Isabella Campbell, née Kay. They lived at Brachmont, Durris. He was killed in action on 09/05/1915 in Belgium. He is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 10.
Both Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell are commemorated on the Durris War Memorial.
When?
05/09/1916. 09/05/1915.
Where?
Maryculter, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Canada. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Contributor
Anne Park
Collection Day
Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen (27/02/2019)
This item was submitted on May 24, 2019