Local historians are hoping Stirling folks can help track down information on a fallen World War I soldier from the area.
The WWI Memorial Museum Passchendaele has sought Stirling Local History Society’s help to search for details of St Ninians soldier James McIntyre, who was killed in Flanders in May 1915.
James was born locally on May 16, 1893. His parents Robert and Letitia McIntyre had married in 1891 at Blair Drummond. Robert had listed his occupation as forester.
While aware this WWI soldier died over a century ago, the WWI Museum at Passchendaele are seeking to contact any relatives of James McIntyre’s family or anyone else who may possibly have recollections, family photos or letters, which they might be willing to share and which could provide more information about this soldier’s life and experiences.
Stirling Local History Society are following this up at the museum’s request.
In the 1911 census, the McIntyre family address is listed as Balmuir Cottages, Airth Station and Robert McIntyre was working as a gamekeeper - but this address apparently no longer exists.
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James, then aged 17, was employed as a colliery clerk. He had five siblings - Elizabeth, Robert, Daniel, Henry and John.
According to the 1921 census James’ parents and four sibling were still living locally in the area of Gallamuir, East Plean.
SLHS spokesperson Dorothy Wilson said: “James McIntyre had an interesting and unusual history.
“He appears to have served as a soldier in the Black Watch, prior to emigrating to Alberta Canada where he became a policeman, before joining the newly-formed Princess Patricia Light Infantry sometime in autumn 1914 after the call went out for volunteers with previous military experience.
“Of the 1,100 soldiers recruited by the Patricians, 65 per cent were English, 15 per cent were Scots and 10 per cent were Irish – many of these recruits had previously served in British regiments.
“After a brief period of training in trench-digging, night operations and outpost duty in Quebec, in late September 1914, James and other Patrician recruits joined a Canadian Expeditionary Force totalling 30,000 persons, sailing for Britain in an escorted convoy. After a period of further training they then embarked for Europe, on December 20 as part of the 80th Brigade, which was part of the 27th Division of the British Expeditionary Force.
“Because the Patricians were trained soldiers, they were apparently sent early into the theatre of war.
“Although fighting bravely in first Battle of Ypres, between January and April 1915, James and many others in his regiment, didn’t serve long in the very difficult conditions of WWI trench warfare. He died on May 8, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres in the area of Bellewaarde Ridge near Frezenberg.
“According to Princess Patricia regimental records, a detachment of the regiment ‘held the line’ in the area they were defending during this battle until later relieved by others, but at very heavy cost to themselves – their detachment of 700 men was reduced to 150 by the end of this week long battle between May 8-15.
Dorothy added:“It is known James McIntyre was killed and buried near Bellewaard Ridge, Zonnebeke, but like many other missing WWI Canadian soldiers, the exact location of his grave – or ability to identify his remains if found, has not proved possible as none of his close relatives has been traced.
“However the Passchendaele Museum has recorded the approximate location of James’ grave on an interactive map and if possible, they would like to include more details of his story on their website - www.archives.passchendaele.be/en/geo/1”
If anyone has any relevant information they can contact Dorothy Wilson by email at: enquire@stirling-lh.org
