William Irving

[Nodrogw]

I am trying to find information about William Irving, who was a lance corporal who died in WW1 on 18th July 1916. He was 41. I have tried Scotlands People from 1870 onwards, but there are no records of his birth. I would also like to see his attestation papers for when he joined up. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Kay99]

There is this transcription which lists his birth place as Annan Dumfrieshire - Could he have lied about his age when he enlisted 

William Irving
Death 18 July 1916
Rank    L/cpl
Death place    France & Flanders
Service number    S/3619
Theatre of war    Western European Theatre
Battalion    1st Battalion.
Cause of death    Killed in action
Regiment    Gordon Highlanders
Birth place    Annan, Dumfriesshire
Enlistment place    Aberdeen

[Kay99]

This may be of use

[Kay99]

I wonder whether this was William's mother (after remarriage) and brother George in 1901 living at 21 North St Annan

William Johnston   48 Carter b Annan
Mary Johnston   47 b Annan
George Irving   17
Mina Irving   13
William Dalrymple   11

Added in 1911  the family were living at 26 North Street as mentioned in the 1917  press cutting posted above

[Forfarian]

William Johnston married Mary Scott or Irving in Annan in 1895.

1891 census in Annan: Mary Irving, widow, 38; Jane, 13; Joseph, 11; Mary, 8; George, 6; Williamina, 3; Thomas, under 1 year; William Dalrymple, 2nd cousin.

1881: Thomas Irving, 38, quarryman; Mary, wife, 27; Thomas, 7; John Ann R, 5; Jane, 3; Joseph, 1.

This looks like the family of Thomas Irving and Mary Scott, who were married in Annan in 1875. See screenshot. No sign of a William there.

There's a birth of William Scott, illegitimate son of Janet Scott, in Annan in 1874.

In 1861 there's a family consisting of John Scott, 34; wife Mary, 40; Jemima A, 10; Janet, 8; Mary, 6; William, 3; John A R, 1.

These look like the family of John Scott and Mary Dalrymple, married 17 December 1847 in Annan.

Could this be Mary with her parents and siblings? And could Mary have (informally) adopted her sister's illegitimate child? If so, where was he in 1881?

[Forfarian]

Screenshot from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site.

[Kay99]

I haven't found William in 1881 either.   

[Forfarian]

I wondered if perhaps Thomas who was 7 in 1881 had changed his name to William? He was born Thomas Irving Scott in Annan in 1873.

But there's a death of Thomas Irving, mmn Scott, aged 16, in 1889, so it's not that.

[Dundee]

James E McJERROW, Grocer, lived in Dryfesdale in 1891 and 1901.  There is also a William IRVING in Dryfesdale in 1881 aged 16, Grocer' Assistant.  His parents are Richard and Janet.

I can't see any reason why this one would need a surrogate mother as his parents were both still alive in 1901.

Debra