Missing in action as families wait for news of their loved ones
Pictures and details of three Stirling soldiers, reported missing following the fighting at the end of 1916, were printed in the Observer of 100 years ago this week.
Pte William Murray, Highland Light Infantry, whose whereabouts had been unknown since November 18, 1916, was a former Fallin Collier miner. He was a member of the Highland Cyclists Battalion, whose headquarters were at Cowie, and called up when the war stated. He was stationed on the East Coast for a couple of years but transferred to the HLI in July.
Sgt John Brock, 7th A&SH (StirlingshireTerritorials) was reported wounded on November 15, 1916, but had been missing since then. His relatives issued an appeal for information through the Observer. The 24-year-old enlisted shortly after war broke out having previously worked as a mason with Messrs Gardner, builders, Stirling. He lived at the home of Mr Leslie Scully, rubber worker, at 12 Bayne Street, Stirling. His mother resided at 12 Abbey Road, Stirling.
Pte Alfred M Gwynne, 7th A&SH (Stirlingshire Territorials) was also reported wounded and missing from November 15. The youngest son of the late Mr John Gwynne, carpet weaver, Forthbank Works, Stirling, he worked as a miner at Millhall before the war. He was unmarried and had three other brothers who were still serving with the forces. A fourth brother, James, a private with 2nd A&SH, was killed in action on March 23, 1916.