Stewartry soldier stories

Individual accounts of service

It is intended that this page will contain mini-biographies of men and women from Kirkcudbrightshire who served during WW1, including those men and women on Home Service duties. People may send information on their relative (with photo, if available), including family details and any stories relating to their service, and I will insert a brief biography.

If you would like your relative's story included, then please get in touch via the contact form. Thank you.


Tom Garmory, Kirkcudbright

Corporal Tom Garmory

 Corporal, 34834, Tom Garmory, 8th York & Lancaster Regiment
- Distinguished Conduct Medal, Battle of Asiago, 15/16th June 1918

Born 1893 at Kirkcudbright, the third son of Mr and Mrs Adam Garmory, 61 Millburn Street, Kirkcudbright. Served his apprenticeship as a grocer with Mr Dalziel, Castle Street.

Enlisted 2nd June 1915 as Private, 2985, 17th Highland Light Infantry. Landed in France in November 1915 and wounded 1st July 1916, Battle of the Somme. Transferred to the 8th York & Lancaster Regiment. Promoted to Sergeant. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry:
    For a long period during operations he was responsible for guiding ration parties to their destination each night, and in spite of very heavy hostile shelling, he succeeded in getting all rations and stores through. On many occasions he went out alone to find lost parties, and always showed a complete disregard of personal danger.


Bessie Thomson, Creetown

Nurse Bessie Thomson

 Nurse Elizabeth (Bessie) Thomson, Kirkmabreck Voluntary Aid Detachment
- killed in action 30th September 1917, St. Omer, France

Daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Thomson, St. John Street, Creetown. Member of Kirkmabreck Voluntary Aid Detachment.

Volunteered for hospital service shortly after the outbreak of war and served at Old Mill Hospital, Aberdeen, before transferring to the 58th (Scottish) General Hospital at St. Omer, France. Mentioned in despatches. Killed in action by enemy aircraft bombing on 30th September 1917. Buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, plot VI.B.2., and commemorated on Creetown War Memorial.
Bessie Thomson headstone

Bessie's headstone

 Lines very reverently dedicated to Nurse Bessie Thomson by John Barr, Creetown (abridged):
    Proudly we laud the deeds of sons so gallant,
    Bearing aloft the banner of the free,
    Yet must our tongues but weakly falter
    When we would seek fit words to speak of thee.

    Bravely as e'er went warrior to Valhalla,
    Nobly the cross you bore upon your breast,
    Faithfull "The Lady of the Lamp" you followed,
    Supreme in sacrifice with martyred Joan you rest.

    Sweet be thy sleep, dear Sister of Mercy,
    Calm thy repose where so lowly you lie,
    Bright is the halo around thee forever,
    Thou art of the dead who never can die.