Henry TURNBULL of Denny, Stirlingshire: Fromelles Missing

[MelPack]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this one:

Henry Turnbull,  born at Denny, Stirlingshire, was killed in action whilst serving with the 2/7th Warks (transferred from the Highland Cyclists) on 19 July 1916 in the ill fated attack at Fromelles. His body was never recovered but there is a high probability that his remains are amongst those being currently excavated in the mass burial pits at Fromelles.
 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6221422.ece


I am part of a group of researchers based around the Great War Forum:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=122825

Our objective is to establish contact with as many relatives of the missing soldiers as possible to encourage them to participate in the MoD/ CWGC DNA testing programme:

http://www.cwgc.org/fromelles/

Henry appears on the list of the soldiers who were killed on 19 July 1916 at Fromelles and has no known grave so there is a possibility that he could be among those buried in the pits.

Our first task is to identify Henry's parents. Unfortunately, there are four Henry Turnbulls born at Denny in the 1890s so he could be anyone of the four. Any information that can pin his family down would be very welscome.
 
The second task is to establish a link with living descendants of Martin so that they may participate in the DNA testing programme:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/RecoveryOfFromellesWwiDeadBegins.htm
 
Any help that you can extend would be much appreciated.

Regards

Mel

[apanderson]

Hi Mel,

Here's what I've got ...... from Denny & Dunipace Roll of Honour & other sources.

1. Pte Henry Turnbull, 7th Royal Warwickshire, Enlisted April 1915, 79a Union Terrace, Denny
   (Service No. listed on R. of H., No. 5716)

2.  Pte. Henry Turnbull, 7th A. & S. H., No. 1569, killed at Ypres 25th April 1915, age 19 son of John and Mary Turnbull (nee Sim), 18 East Borland Denny.
    Listed on Family Stone in Denny Cemetery
    Listed on Denny Town Civic Memorial
    Listed on Denny Cemetery Memorial
    Listed on Dunipace Civic Memorial
    Listed on Dunipace Church Memorial

3.  Pte. Henry Turnbull, 2nd A. & S. H., No. 9376, enlisted February 1904, 3 Rosebank Court, Denny, P.O.W. in Germany
     Survived?

Whether the above will be of any use to you - well, time will tell I suppose!

Anne

[MelPack]

Hello Anne

Many thanks for that information - it is exactly what I was looking for!

I had the son of John and Mary as the front runner but I can now eliminate him through his death with the A&SH at Ypres.

The address of 79a Union Terrace looks promising. In the 1901 census, the 1899 Henry, parents Henry & Barbara, were living at 79a Duke Street.

I obviously know nothing of the geography of Denny but is this more than a coincidence?

Thanks again!

Mel

[apanderson]

Hi again Mel,

I've found another wee snippet - I've got a note of Henry although born in Denny, residing in Stenhousemuir.

I can't remember where I got this info from but I've a feeling it came from SDGW.

Stenhousemuir is part of Larbert, which in turn is basically just along the road from Denny but he's not listed on the Larbert Civic Memorial. He's not listed on any of the Denny Church Memorials, but I don't have transcriptions of any of the Larbert Churches.

As for the 79a Duke Street/Union Terrace - I don't know.

I'll keep looking!!

Anne

[MelPack]

Anne

Great stuff!

I have checked SDGW and Stenhousmuir is listed as the enlistment location.

I am wondering if 79a Union Terrace is the home address of the parents.

Mel

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Mel and Anne,
Mel if you log onto the home page of the Glasgow newspaper.
The Evening Times.
www.eveningtimes.co.uk
If you click on the box with Webcam
It will display a map of central Scotland it will help you get your head around Denny and the surroundings,
regards,Billy.

[MelPack]

Billy

Many thanks for the link.

The world of Rootschat moves faster than realised. I have been contacted by a relative of Henry and there are in contact with the MoD.

Thanks to Ann and everybody else for your interest.

Mel

[apanderson]

That's great news Mel!!

Yes - we're like greased lightning around here 

I've been working on updating the Denny & Dunipace Roll of Honour for a good few years, so if you uncover further details about this Henry, could you let me know please? It's one of these projects which is never ending!!

Anne

[MelPack]

Ann

Here we are - it's a pleasure to reciprocate:

Henry Turnbull  b. 1854 Larbert  - Coal Miner
Barbara Turnbull nee Kemp b.1856 Larbert
William Turnbull b.  1882 Dunipace   Coal Miner
Janet Turnbull b. 1884 Dunipace Paper Mill Worker
James Turnbull b. 1885 Dunipace Coal Miner
Nigel Turnbull b. 1887 Denny Coal Miner
Jane Turnbull 1889 Denny 
Mary Turnbull 1891 Denny
Margaret Turnbull 1893 Denny
Henry Turnbull 1899 Denny

All living at 79a Duke Street, Denny in 1901.

It looks as if Henry joined the Highland Cyclists as an underage enlistment (he may already have been working down the pit at the time) so, he probably wasn't even seventeen when he died.

Mel