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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Lanarkshire => Topic started by: trevalyn on Sunday 16 October 22 16:45 BST (UK)
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JOHN McGUIGAN died on 23 Aug 1915 while serving with the Royal Field Artillery. Aged 37, he was the son of Arthur and Helen McGuigan, both deceased. John was a widower; his wife had died on 5 Oct 1902 and his records show that he had a daughter in the guardianship of Mrs Mary Reilly of Airdrie.
His Pension Card indicates that he died by drowning. Did this happen in the UK, at sea, or overseas? If he died in the UK, does anyone know where his is buried?
Any help in identifying the last resting-place of this Forgotten Soldier would be appreciated.
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The Register of Soldiers Effects says he died in Glasgow.
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There is a piece in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald 27th August 1915 titled Soldier Drowned in Glasgow. John M Guigan aged forty five, a gunner with the RFA found drowned in the canal at Rockvilla.
Cathy
Available FMF or British Newspaper Archives.
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Another account says he drowned in the Forth and Clyde Canal near Oakbank terrace, Glasgow.
Cathy
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Daily Record Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland
24 Aug 1915, Tue Page 3
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111414435/daily-record/
Sandra
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Could this have been the marriage :-
John McGuigan - Mary Reilly - 1896 - 651/ 169 Airdrie or New Monkland.
and death
Mary McGuigan - aged 25 years - MMN Fitzpatrick - 1902 651/ 453 Airdrie or New Monkland
Sandra
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All these names, McGuigan, Reilly and Fitzpatrick descendants are still living in Plains, a small village outside Airdrie. Prior to that these families lived at Airdriehill Square. ( Whiterigg ) in Miners houses built in 1874, J Fitzpatrick No 13, J McGuigan No14, F A Fitzpatrick No15, T McGuigan No 24, all Airdriehill Square Whiterigg.
This information is taken from the book "Lost Villages" co-written by John Reilly born in Darngavil, his father Leslie Reilly married Mary Kane and settled in Darngavil, thereafter known as "Mary Kane's man". Airdriehill had a football team called Airdriehill Shamrocks and a photo depicts them winning the Scottish Juvenile Cup about 1912, pictured are F. McGuigan and F Fitzpatrick.
James Kerr from thereabouts.
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If he died in the UK he should have a CWGC headstone but he is commemorated in Surrey
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/7532397/john-mcguigan/
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A few more pieces of information, taken from various websites.
GUNNER JOHN McGUIGAN
Service Number: 23859
Regiment Royal Field Artillery
Died 23 August 1915. Accidently drowned.
Age 37 years old
Born 1878 at New Monkland, Lanarkshire. Enlisted at Airdrie.
Son of the late Arthur and Helen McGuigan
John had a daughter Ellen and a son Arthur.
Commemorated at BROOKWOOD 1914-1918 MEMORIAL Panel 4.
Hope this is of interest to you.
Mhomac