James PILLANS killed in action 3 August 1917 age 29

[ev]

SP also has a death for a James Pillans 1917 minor records , service returns , born c1888.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/87062/PILLANS,%20JAMES



ev

[las camelias]

Thanks ev, I have the military side, including CWGC of course.  I just couldn't find his personal history.  Have enough now to proceed!  Many thanks for your help.

LC

[CaroleW]

There is no 1891 or 1901 entry for him with a later birthyear although SP is showing 2 births for that name in Biggar 1885 and the one above found by Ev

[las camelias]

Thanks Carole, your help very much appreciated.

LC

[isobelw]

Someone posted about this gentleman on one of the Facebook boards today but I can’t find the post now to respond.
James appears to have been born in 1885 in Biggar and as has previously been discovered he was with his Pillans grandmother in 1891 and 1901. In 1911 he is listed as James Nickleson Pillans and living with his wife in Wiltshire.
There is a 1907 Attestation  record for a James Pillans born around 1885 in Biggar. He joined the Cameron Highlanders. He was discharged in 1910 following conviction in a civil court for stealing a bicycle. He gives next of kin details as Father John  Pillans 10 Freer street, Edinburgh, Mother Helen Pillans, brothers Thomas and John and sister Elizabeth. I had a look at 10 Freer Street in the Valuation Rolls of the period and there is no John Pillans, but there is a John Nicholson listed at that address. I suspect James was illegitimate ( born to one of grandmother Elizabeth Pillans daughters) and his father was John Nicholson ( hence the Nickleson middle name in 1911).

[isobelw]

Helen Pillans daughter of James Pillans and Elizabeth Lithgow was born in Biggar in 1865

[isobelw]

Helen Pillans married John Nicholson in 1887  in Biggar.