Addiewell Men & Woman on the War Memorial

By Meg Stenhouse

The Men and Woman from Addiewell & Loganlea named on the War Memorial at West Calder.

This page was added by Meg Stenhouse on 07/01/2015.
Comments about this page

I AM PLEASED THAT YOU MENTION "MEN AND WOMEN" IN YOUR ARTICLE.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT A WOMAN IS ON THE WAR MEMORIAL AND THAT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO HER SEX. BECAUSE THE HEADING ON THE WAR MEMORIAL  READS TO THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES, NO MENTION OF THE OTHER SEX.

OUT OF RESPECT THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE SHOULD BE REVISED TO READ " MEN ANS WOMEN " THIS OMISSION WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED TODAY

By Thomas Girdwood
On 29/01/2015

This compelling article highlighted the great courage of so many Addiewell men who fought for their country in the First World War.

Several years ago my two sons and daughter had the honour of visiting the battlefields of France and Belgium during a school trip and after some research located my great grandfather’s name and army number on the Thiepval Memorial in Arras, France. This monument was chosen as the location for the Memorial to the missing to commemorate those who died in the Somme sector before the 20th March 1918 and have no known grave.  A photograph of this recognition was taken in 2002 and given to my grandfather Wullie Welsh in memory of his late father.

By Anna Martin
On 14/02/2015

Thanks Thomas, there's 2 CWGC headstones in Burngrange to two women:

50979 Leading Wren Mary Margaret Tierney, HMS Nighthawk, died 25/10/1947 aged 25.  Daughter of Hugh and Mary Tierney of Addiewell.  Remembered with Honour West Calder Cemetery.

West Calder Cemetery:

Mary Margaret Tierney Leading WREN WRNS 50979 HMS Nighthawk, 25th Oct 1947 aged 25. Eternal Rest Grant unto her, Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her (CWGC). Plaque attached at base - ILMO of our Mother Mary Tierney (9/11/1966 aged 64) and brother Hugh (7/1/1967 aged 23).

CWGC Headstone West Calder Cemetery

as well as Sarah O'Keefe whose story is on this site.

Course I'd remember the women, I was a WRAF many moons ago, lol.

Meg

By Meg Stenhouse
On 14/02/2015
S/33317 Pte Michael DevlinMMMilitary Medal – Michael Devlin MM S/3317  Pte Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders – died aged 43 on 4th October 1918 – husband of Agnes Magee (formerly Devlin) of 9 Dee Street, West Calder, Born West Calder – remembered West Calder Cemetery.CWGC HeadstoneLocal Soldier Awarded Military Medal – Pte Michael Devlin of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, whose home is at 9 Dee Street, West Calder, writing home to his wife informs her that he was been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field, and that he is now wearing the medal.  Pte Devlin enlisted on the 2nd September 1914.  He was invalided home from France last year, and returned in January of this year.  He has had many narrow escapes in action, but so far has escaped injury.  His health broke down last year, and it was due to this that he was sent to this country for a time.  His many friends will be delighted to learn of the well merited distinction he has won.Midlothian Advertiser 11th May, 1917.Local Soldiers Death -We regret to announce the death from wounds received in action of Private Michael Devlin, whose home is at 9 Dee Street, West Calder. Private Devlin was the youngest son of Mr Hugh Devlin, Muirhall, West Calder. He enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in September 1914, and had been through most of the heavy fighting of the war. He was invalided home to England but made a good recovery and was sent back to the fighting line. In 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. The incident which won him the medal was as follows: ‘An officer and a squad of fully 20 men were cut off. They held on fighting, however, until they were nearly all killed or wounded. The officer and men arrived safely back in the British lines and Private Devlin was complimented on the bravery he had shown and was awarded the military medal’. He had been in all the severe fighting since the big offensive started in the spring of this year. On the 22nd September he was wounded in several places, and lay on the battlefield for a day and a half before he was picked up. On being taken to the base it was found that he had sustained four gunshot wounds and he was sent to Bellahouston Hospital, Glasgow, where his wife visited him. Everything possible was done for him, but he succumbed to his wounds on Friday of last week.The body was brought home to West Calder, and was interred in the Cemetery on Monday afternoon with full military honours. A firing party from the Black Watch accompanied the cortege to the graveside and an impressive service was conducted by the Rev Father Chase. Three volleys were fired over the grave and buglers sounded the ‘Last Post’. A large crowd assembled to see the warrior who had fought the good fight, laid in his last resting place. Previous to enlistment Private Devlin was employed as a miner at West Mains colliery. He leaves a widow and seven of a family.Midlothian Advertiser 11th Oct 1918.Devlin – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte Michael Devlin, Military Medalist, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who died in Bellahouston Hospital, Glasgow on 4th October, 1918. RIPIn his home he is fondly remembered, sweet memories cling round our dear daddy’s nameThe hearts that held him in deep affection, love him in death just the sameInserted by his widow and familyMidlothian Advertiser 3rd October, 1919.

I'm adding this wee extract from West Calder War Memorial as I hadn't included it in the Addiewell extracts.  I was contacted by Hugh Devlin a Gt Nephew of Michael who tells me that he was an Addiewell laddie and his family were in Addiewell.  I hadn't included him as his address was Dee Street, in the Happy Land. So adding him to the site now, many thanks Hugh for allowing me to correct this....  Meg

By Meg Stenhouse
On 14/02/2015
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