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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Inverness => Topic started by: Páll Árni Joensen on Friday 03 August 18 21:51 BST (UK)
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This photograph is taken in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, in 1940, ‘41 or ’42 of Corporal Donald Cameron.
We are trying to find him or anyone who might have known him.
The information I have about him is:
He was in The Faroe Islands with The Lovat Scouts during WW2, and left the islands in June 1942.
He was a sniper and left the army in November 1943.
He was born in Inverness around 1908-1911.
His army service number was 326136
In our research we have had contact to The Highlanders Museum-Fort George, Personal Army Center and others, who have given us the information they could, but still not enought to let us find him.
So, if there is anyone out there who might know about this man, please let me know.
If you recognize him, please send me a message or an e-mail: (*)
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On Scotlandspeople there are 14 Donald Camerons born 1908 to 1911 in Inverness County, and only 2 born in Inverness district - those 2 both have second names. Do you know if he were just 'Donald Cameron' or had a middle name?
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We have got information that there is a no middelname recorded in his army records. Althoug we have now narrowed our search to a Donald Walker Cameron as our best candidate. Trouble is that we can not find him dead in Scotland. To get any more information from the army records we need his death certifficate, and we are out of ideas where to search.
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What is his exact date of birth, please?
Have you looked for his siblings, to see if there are living related family?
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Do you know anything about this one, as cannot see him on scotlandspeople:
Donald Walker Cameron
Death Date:30th September 1966
Burial or Cremation Date: 3rd October 1966
Burial or Cremation Place: Edinburgh, Scotland
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We do not have his birth date. We just know, that he must have been born around 1908-1911 +/-?
In our search in the old newspapers we have found a Donald Waker Cameron, who was a only child, got married and we have found that he got one child. A girl.
I don't know if that is the same Donald Walker Cameron as you have found dead and buried. Where can I find that informaion?
Thank you. It is very interesting. I am new to research in UK, so I have a lot to learn.
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The actual date of birth for a Donald Walker Cameron, 1911, Inverness, can be found on
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/
you need to buy credits to access it.
The cremation in 1966 I found on Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/), but it refers to here:
https://www.deceasedonline.com/
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I have found this in scotlandspeople.gov.uk
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I am going to look at the deceasedonline.com to see what more I can find.
Thank you for the tip :)
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Do you believe the wife to be Myna K Paul?
Shows on ER's in Edinburgh 1945-1955 with Donald W and an Elizabeth Cameron (Mother from that birth certificate)?
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Yes, we have found that. I have just found both Myna and Donald Walker Cameron on deceasedonline. I am going to register and pay for looking at their information later today or this evening. - I am busy with living people right now ;) - Thanks again for helping. I will let you know what I will find.
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If you, I would look to view his death cert on Scotlands People. Scottish death certs include the names of the deceased person's parents which will help you confirm it is the correct death. Also, if married, spouse will be named too.
Monica :)
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Hi Monica :) I can not find Donald Walker Camerons death on Scotlandspeople :( But in deceasedonline.com is Donald Walker Cameron there. Dead 1966.
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Just to fill in some holes...his father (Donald Walker) died in 1913 age 73 his 1st wife was Helen Maria Evans second Eliz. Massie. His parents John/Ann Chisholm.
Don
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Just noticed chempat's comment about not seeing the death on SP either :-\ Wonder if he died abroad and was returned for burial to Edinburgh? I am not at home at the moment so will have a look again later...
Monica
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Yes, my first guess was that he might have died abroad.
Have not decided what my second guess is.
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Myna Keir Paul/Cameron's death is on SP. Shows in 1965 in Newton Midlothian, aged 54. It is now available to view online.
Monica
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From SP, this looks a possible candidate to fit with the burial that has been found in 1966:
Donald CAMERON, aged 54. Death in 1966. Morningside, Edinburgh
Ref 685/7 781
Middle names are not often used in every registration.
Monica
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Yes you are quite right. I am going on from here now. Thank you for your help.
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That is great to hear. Hopefully you can now request the full service record (assuming it is the same Donald). Donald Walker Cameron's death is over 25 years ago, so full service records should be available for you to order (at cost of Ł30).
Good luck with your searches and hope you find what you need :)
Monica
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I have just recieved an answere from the Army Records. Unfortunately this was not the right man.
As I see it I have to widen the geographical area. I asume he might been born somewhere in Inverness-shire. Same name and born around 1908-1911.
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This photograph is taken in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, in 1940, ‘41 or ’42 of Corporal Donald Cameron.
We are trying to find him or anyone who might have known him.
The information I have about him is:
He was in The Faroe Islands with The Lovat Scouts during WW2, and left the islands in June 1942.
He was a sniper and left the army in November 1943.
He was born in Inverness around 1908-1911.
His army service number was 326136
In our research we have had contact to The Highlanders Museum-Fort George, Personal Army Center and others, who have given us the information they could, but still not enought to let us find him.
So, if there is anyone out there who might know about this man, please let me know.
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These, then, if no second name:
Donald Cameron 1909 116/ 6 Small Isles
Donald Cameron 1910 520/ 42 Kilmallie
Donald Cameron 1911 091/C 3 Ballachulish and Onich
Donald Cameron 1911 098/B 23 Kilmallie (Inverness)
Donald Cameron 1911 110/1 48 Duirinish
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Hi,
Can I ask, please, how you know the Donald Cameron you seek was born between 1908-1911? Was this part of the information that the Highlanders Museum or Army Personnel Centre gave you?
Also you say he left the army in November 1843 1943. Again, were you given this information from one of the above sources?
Would this indicate Donald Cameron had been injured? I cannot imagine any other way some-one could leave the army in the middle of the war other than being killed :'(
Looby :)
Added - the reason I ask about Donald's year of birth is because he looks younger than a 30+ man in the right hand photo. Granted the image is old and grainy but he looks early 20s to me.
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From the Highlanders Museum we have information that he left the army in November 1943 because of medical reason.
And from Army Personal Centre it is confirmed his early 30 when he was in the Faroes e.g. 1940-42.
I agree. He looks younger on the photograph. That is the reason why we have been searching for a younger man at the start :-\
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@chempat. Thank you. That is interesting. I will have a look.
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Thank you Pall Arni Joensen,
He certainly is fresh faced for a 30+ man . My grandfather was a similar age at this time (32) and looked ten years older in photos we have of him in uniform :o
If he was approx. 30 years at outbreak of WW2 he may have been already serving in the army - just a thought. Also at that age he could have been married.
Looby :)
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If he went back to Inverness-shire, possibles include:
Deaths:
Donald Cameron 85 mmn Ewing 1993 240/ 135 Inverness
Donald Cameron 83 mmn Macqueen 1994 256/ 17 Dunvegan
Donald Cameron 76 1987 239/ 173 Fort William
Donald Cameron mmn Macleod 1980 239/ 151 Fort William
Donald Cameron 57 1968 098/B1 117 Kilmallie (Inverness)
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Pity about Donald Walker Cameron :-\
I have posted this for additional help www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=799236.0
Monica
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Hi,
I've read the Sunday Post article Monica linked to the other thread. A very interesting and poignant read.
There are several newspaper article published during the 1940-44 period which refer to the Lovat Scouts, some with photos, serving on the Faroe Islands. These can be read online in the British Newspaper Archive , for a charge of course, either subscription or a one off pay to view fee. I haven't got either so can only glean a snippet of info from a free search. Don't know if these would be worth looking at further.
Looby :)
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Comments on that article from 'Anna'
'In 1988 I traveled to Scotland with my father and I met Donnie Cameron, I believe we were in the area of Inverness.'
so still alive then.
This death?
Donald Cameron 85 mmn Ewing 1993 240/ 135 Inverness
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Comments on that article from 'Anna'
'In 1988 I traveled to Scotland with my father and I met Donnie Cameron, I believe we were in the area of Inverness.'
so still alive then.
This death?
Donald Cameron 85 mmn Ewing 1993 240/ 135 Inverness
Yes, I noticed that too, chempat.
I'm wondering if this lead was perhaps to the wrong man when this info wasn't shared on the initial post. This article also suggests that Donald was approx 23 years old - but the OP has now stated that this is not the case -so perhaps the "Donnie" mentioned was a younger man and ruled out.
Perhaps the OP will fill us in on the outcome of the info from "Anna" .
Looby :)
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I am also curious about that 1993 death. Parents maybe a Simon Cameron and Janet/Jessie Ewing who married in Inverness in 1893. General details around to be able to flesh out this family. I think this is a mistranscript of the family in 1901:
Tomas Cameron 30 coachman b Inverness - think should read Simon - (1)
Janet Cameron 33 b. Dumbartonshire (2)
James Ann Cameron 6 (3) b. Inverness
Hugh Cameron 5 b. Inverness
Thomas Cameron 2 b. Inverness (4)
Simon Cameron 9 months b. Inverness
Address: 15 Innes St, Inverness
(1) Possible for Simon born 9 October 1871 BOLESKINE, INVERNESS
Parents Hugh Cameron and Ann Fraser. A maybe for his death in Inverness aged 85 in 1957.
(2) I think this Janet was born on 4 February 1868 in NEW KILPATRICK, DUNBARTON
Parents Thomas Ewing and Jean Graham. Died in Inverness aged 75 in 1943.
(3) Showing as daughter
(4) Birth likely showing as Thomas Ewing Cameron on SP
There is a possible descendant of this family who is showing some very very basic details of this family group I think. Also shows:
Jessie b. 1902 - SP have the death in Inverness of a Jessie Bell Cameron, mother's maiden name Ewing, who died in 1974 aged 72
An Alexander b. 1904 - SP have the death in Inverness of an Alexander Allan Cameron, mother's maiden name Ewing, who died in 1978 aged 74
A Donald b. 1910 - As mentioned already. Although birth year marginally out.
So, as chempat and Looby mention, wondering whether the 1993 death cert has been checked?
Monica
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Hi everyone.
Thank you for your interest in this case.
We have tried to send the death certificat of Donald Cameron b. 1907 d. 1993, son of Simon Cameron and Janet Cameron m.s. Ewing to the Army Personel Centre earlier this summer, and that didn't match eighter.
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Hi Pall Arni Joensen.
Can you tell us what came from the contact with "Anna" through the Sunday Post newspaper? Did she have news of Donald Cameron from circa 1988 or was it the wrong man?
Looby :)
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What a frustrating search you have had for sure :-\
Of the Donalds you have researched to date, can you list for us which ones have been rejected and discounted following submission of the death cert? Will help everyone now too when searching.
Think this has already been asked. How did you arrive at the age range of 1908-11?
Monica
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I'm wondering how sure we are of year of birth (still think he looks younger than 30+ ;D ) and of Inverness(shire) as place of birth? Could he have come from somewhere else and enlisted in Inverness?
I've been reading lots online about the Lovat Scouts on the Faroe Islands - it's been very educational - I'm learning about something I knew nothing about !
Looby :)
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To loobylooayr:
We have written to Anna from Canada and she did only remember that Donnie was a kind old man, and her father who now is dead talked very well of him. She didn't know where he lived, and she didn't find any pictures of him in her father's belongings, so she couldn't tell if he was "our" Donald Cameron.
I agree, he looks younger than 30+ and we have been searching for DC born around 1915-1918 earlier, but we have found that he was in his early 30 when he was in the Faroes. Where he realy came from??? Inverness is what we know. If that means city of Inverness, Inverness-shire or somewhere else.... who knows??
To MonicaL:
We started with a Donald Cameron b 1916, and it for sure wasn't him. After that we have tried with:
DC b 1907 d 1993 son of Simon and Janet Cameron
DC b 1911 d 1966 son of Donald Walker and Elizabeth Cameron
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The detail that he was in his early 30s is from what source?
Monica
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We got the information about the age range from Army Personal Centre after they recieved our first death certificat. I guess they would just give us some guidance....
That is, we only know that he was in his early 30s when he was in the Faroe Islands.
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What a shame that Anna couldn't move your search forward :'(
So we have a 30+ year old man circa 1940 -1942, who was discharged for medical reasons in late 1943.
The hunt goes on ;D
Looby :)
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Yes, we have not given up. We keep on searching :D
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That is indeed so helpful to you to have got at least some key data from them for now :)
Have you done any research/follow up on a Donald Matheson Cameron born in Inverness in 1909.
Monica
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Donald Matheson Cameron died 1930. 20 yares old :(
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So that was him :-\
Monica
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Donald could have died anytime between 1943 till 2004, if he died in Scotland.
Did a search on Scotlands People - since 1943 there have been 92 male deaths with that name across the country born 1909 +- 3 years .
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Yes, that's true, loobylooayr ;)
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I am going to add a new possibility, although for now a rank outsider as it is a little trickier to determine.
There is the illegitimate birth of a Donald Cameron MacDonald on 28 February 1911 in Inverness town area. His parents were James Cameron (paternity proven), a fireman, and a Mary MacDonald, domestic servant. I think this is the last possible birth I could see in Inverness itself for the period of 1908-11 including the name of Donald and Cameron.
Not uncommon for children in Scotland to use either surname at different times in their lives when illegitimate.
This Donald married in Inverness in 1935. Registration shows as two entries, with the different surnames.
I think this Donald likely died in Inverness in 1984 at the age of 73. Registration shows under surname of MacDonald and Cameron as middle name.
This period is so hard to trace further online isn't it... :-\
Monica
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This Donald married in Inverness in 1935. Registration shows as two entries, with the different surnames.
I think this Donald likely died in Inverness in 1984 at the age of 73. Registration shows under surname of MacDonald and Cameron as middle name.
This period is so hard to trace further online isn't it... :-\
Monica
Hi Monica- I had checked out the marriage of this Donald -
Donald Cameron McDonald :-\ Grocer age 23 36 Friars Road , Inverness.
Looby :)
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There is also a Donald Michael Cameron who is born 1911 at Maryhill, Lanarkshire.
I think the above man marries at Nairn in 1932.
He marries Ann Grant. His age could be 21 or 24 ? His address is The Station Hotel, Inverness.
He's a control clerk.
Ann Grant is 26, a waitress and has the address Station Hotel, Inverness.
Donald's parents are Hugh Cameron (Carpenter) and Mary Cameron m.s. Paterson.
Sadly this Donald Michael Cameron died in Inverness at the young age of 43 in 1954. He died of acute polio encephalitis .
Added - He was a Post Office Telephonist
Looby :)
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I've had a read of the thread but wonder if it's been confirmed Donald married Myna?
If so, has the marriage been looked at for age/occ/parents/address etc?
CAMERON DONALD WALKER & PAUL MYNA KEIR
1937
685/4 1027 St Giles
or have I missed something to say it's not proven he married Myna? (sorry if this is the case).
Annie
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Hi Annie -
See reply 19.
Pall forwarded the death certificate for Donald Walker Cameron to the Army Personel , but they returned it without the records - this man is not the man who served in the Lovat Scouts.
Looby :)
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Looby, I did read the post but wasn't sure whether the DC may have had wrong parents names (depending on informant) & lack of the use of a middle name when he joined up?
I was wondering what gave the idea/impression he was married to Myna?
I take it there's no proof of who he married or if he married?
Annie
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Páll Árni Joensen,
Can you tell us how you arrived at Donald Cameron initially & how you know he's your man in the Faroe Islands?
It may be possible he was illegitimate but used his father's surname, something very common in Scotland?
Annie
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Hi Annie -
There is no proof that the Donald Cameron, Pall Arni Joensen is looking for was married to anyone either before, after or during WW2.
The man who enlisted does not have a middle name on his record (info from Army Personel) but that goes for nothing, as we know - he could have for some reason not given it.
Looby :)
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To Rosinish
By our documents from WW2 (1943-1946) his name is Donald Cameron. And his name matches his army service number. Unfortunately we miss his birth date. That is our main problem.
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Have you thought of sending copies of the photographs and information you have about Donald Cameron to the Inverness Courier and asking them to publish a request for information?
https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Home/
I am at a loss to understand why, if you have his service number, the cannot get a full copy of his service record.
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Have you thought of sending copies of the photographs and information you have about Donald Cameron to the Inverness Courier and asking them to publish a request for information?
https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Home/
I am at a loss to understand why, if you have his service number, the cannot get a full copy of his service record.
Forfarian, my understanding is that the Faroese family only have the name and that Donald was from Inverness (shire?)
I think the Army Personnel or perhaps Highlanders Museum have assisted by giving the service number along with years of birth 1908/1911 to help locate the right man and therefore purchase his death certificate.
Of course, Donald may have emigrated after the war and his death may not be on SP.
Looby :)
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I am at a loss to understand why, if you have his service number, the cannot get a full copy of his service record.
I find this so frustrating too. Given his birth year, he will be deceased by some years :-\
Páll Árni Joensen, stating the obvious, you have had it confirmed by a relevant source that there was only ONE Donald Cameron, in birth year range you are looking at, posted to Tórshavn at the relevant time?
Monica
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I am at a loss to understand why, if you have his service number, the cannot get a full copy of his service record.
Forfarian, my understanding is that the Faroese family only have the name and that Donald was from Inverness (shire?)
I think the Army Personnel or perhaps Highlanders Museum have assisted by giving the service number along with years of birth 1908/1911 to help locate the right man and therefore purchase his death certificate.
Possibly. I have never been able to understand the mysterious workings of the military machine.
But if the Army Personnel Centre is able to look at the certificates that have been sent to it and say no, that's the wrong man, would it not be easier for them just to give Páll Árni Joensen a copy of the complete document(s)?
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Indeed ::)
I am all in favour of data protection, but Donald's birth year is well over 100 years ago...
Monica
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But if the Army Personnel Centre is able to look at the certificates that have been sent to it and say no, that's the wrong man, would it not be easier for them just to give Páll Árni Joensen a copy of the complete document(s)?
Absolutely agree.
Looby :)
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To Forfarian:
April, 10. 2018 there was a story about this case in the Inverness Courier. We got no response at all.
To Looby:
Yes you are right about us getting help to get his service number. And yes we also think he might have gone abroad, and that is why he is so difficult to find?
To Monika:
Unfortunately there is no name list of the soldiers who came to the Faroes during the war. There are only names of the officers and numbers of soldiers.
And to all of you:
Yes we also agree that it would be easier (for us) if they just could give us the files or at least Donald Cameron's birth date, but we respect the Data Protection Act.
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Hello everybody :).
For your information: We have found Donald Cameron. We have found that he was not in good health.
He died in 1960 in Helensburgh, Scotland and unfortunately he didn't get any children.
However we have managed to get in contact to on of his nieces.
Thank you for your help.
Best regards
Páll Árni Joensen
Faroe Islands
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Hi Pall Arni Joensen,
I am so pleased you have managed to find Donald.
What a shame he passed away when he must still have been a relatively young man - perhaps he was in poor health since his discharge from army.
Thank you for letting us Rootchatters know. I hope you get to meet his nieces and learn more about your grandfather.
Looby :)
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Like Looby, I am thrilled that you have been able to confirm and make contact :)
You have worked so hard on finding him, enjoy learning about him.
Monica
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Echoing the others, so pleased for you especially as it all should have been unnecessary given the time lapsed & having his name & service no. :(
I would like to know now, which was his birth, where & who were his parents?
Looks like you may have had to spend a lot of Łs to finally nail Donald Cameron down, which again should have been unnecessary?
Annie
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Hi Rosinish.
Donald Cameron was born in Urquhart, Inverness, April 17th, 1910. His parents were Peter and Jemima Cameron.
We are only glad that we got this far. the Łs were used for a good purpose ;) as nothing is free.
Páll Árni
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I could only see 1 for Urquhart who had a middle name of John?
Do you now have his service records & looking forward to researching the rest of your Scottish roots & are you planning a visit as you will not be disappointed ;)
Annie
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Could this be his parents marriage?
CAMERON PETER & GRANT JEMIMA 1897
107/2 2 Glenmoriston (Inverness)
Annie
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Yes his middle name was John, and that is his parents marriage. We have got his service records, and are now in contact to his relatives in Scotland.
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Apologies if I'm not supposed to post in this thread. I just had a question. On page 6 of this thread a member called looby talked of Donald Cameron who died of polio. He was my grandfather. He died when my mum was 7. Ann his wife died when I was very young. And my mum died when I was 24.
I was wondering how you found out the information on my grandparents. We have looked but found little. Thank you for any help.
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Hi Torvean
Welcome to RootsChat :)
The details that Looby posted on pg 6 came from looking at online certificates on the official pay to view site www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Monica
PS: You can join discussions on any thread ;)