Section F

We are now in Section F. Again, have a wander around, taking a look at the various memorial stones of Thomas Wallet Hislop, John Wallet Hislop, John Morrison Jessamine, William Kennedy, Ninian Parker Laird, Charles Stevenson MacNab, David Merrylees, George Reid, and William Logan Reid. My descriptions will continue until you move on to Section D.

Thomas Wallet Hislop is remembered at Tower Hill Memorial. Thomas served as 2nd Engineer on the Clan Leslie. On November 4th, 1916, the British steamer SS Clan Leslie, on a voyage from Bombay to London with general cargo, was sunk by the German submarine UB-43, 200 miles from of Malta. Thomas was one of 3 people killed. He was the son of William Hislop, of Ivybank in Inverkip and the late Margaret Hislop. Husband of Elizabeth Ramsay Hyslop(nay Wood) of 1 Welburne Terrace in Largs.

John Wallet Hislop is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial 2nd Lieutenant. John was the oldest son of William H Hislop, Old Manse in Inverkip. John’s battalion was at Gheluvelt near pashendale when he was killed.

John Jessamine is remembered at Thiepval Memorial. He was born September 28th 1890, and he attended Trinity School, Carlisle. John was the son of Mr AH Jessamine, formerly of Greenock. John had worked in a bank in Carlisle before moving to Canada. He returned home to enlist with McCraes Battalion, noted as the battalion which had many of the Hearts players. He was killed on the first day of the Somme in 1916, at Contalmaison.

William Kennedy is buried at Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension. William was the only son of Daniel P and Agnes Kennedy. He died, aged 29, of a twisted bowel at No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station.

Remembered at Arras Memorial. Ninian Parker Laird, DCM. 2nd Lieutenant K.O.S.B. killed in action in France 28th March 1918, aged 39. He was the second surviving son of Agnes and the late Robert Laird, of Ingersby, Leicester. Originally of Kilmacolm. The family had been farmers at Bow Farm in Greenock at one point. Ninian was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of stretcher bearers during operations. Owing to his fine example, all the wounded were collected in spite of the shell and mAtchine gun fire.”

Charles Stevenson MacNab is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. Charles died of wounds resulting from shell fire while capturing the village of Demuin. About 4.25 am on the 8th August 1916 just after his Company had left 'jumping off' Trench, in front of Hangard, he was wounded in the head by splinters from an enemy shell. His wounds were dressed and he was taken to No 9 Canadian Field Ambulance, where he died the same day. He was 33. Charles was a farmer, born in Greenock August 3rd 1885. His next of Kin was his mother, Mrs. A. McNab, The Glen, 96 Newton Street.

David Merrylees is remembered at the Helles Memorial, Turkey. David was the son of William Merrylees (Telephone Agent) and Robina Hammond Merrylees, of 39, Kelly Street. Captain Agnew wrote “I am sorry indeed to have to write you, and no doubt you have been officially informed that your son David died a soldiers death on the 12th. He had followed me through the charge, and just as we reached the trench we were to take, he was wounded, and died by my side, having borne the shock and the pain in a true soldier-like spirit. We (his comrades) buried him near where he fell. The parcel with which was enclosed attached letters, we reached on our return from action and I divided the contents amongst the rest of the company, as I am sure David would have desired.”

George Reid is buried in Givenchy-en-Gohelle Canadian Cemetery, Souchez. George was the third son of R Reid J.P. and Elizabeth Reid, 39 Newton Street. He was formerly a draughtsman with Caird & Co., Shipbuilders before leaving for Canada. He left a widow and a child. George had been wounded in the neck but returned to the line. Later he was fatally wounded at Vimy Ridge. The Canadian paper says ‘Sgt Reid was one of the best known and most capable members of the Brockton Point eleven previous to his leaving for the Front. For a few years he was a regular playing member of the Coquitlam team, and there is hardly a player or follower of the game on the mainland but what can remember instances of really clever working the field performed by him. He generally fielded in the somewhat uncomfortable position of square leg, and many a batsman who thought he had gathered a clean hit to the leg boundary found the ball resting safely in the hands of Reid and his innings at an end. His unassuming and friendly nature made him a particular favourite with both players and spectators

William Logan Reid is remembered at Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. William, 22, was the son of R Reid J.P. and Elizabeth Reid, 39 Newton Street. He was an Apprentice Banker at the Greenock office of the Bank of Scotland before promotion to the Edinburgh Head Office. The 4th Royal Scots were part of the same Brigade as the 5th Argylls.