Cruse family

[Cramond Brig]

I wonder if anyone can help me with a puzzle in connection with my research into the Scottish contribution to WW1. I have found two Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from Bonnybridge but it is not clear if they are brothers or father and son. The Commonwealth War Graves records are not helpful.

One is recorded as Lance Corporal Andrew Cruse, age 24, date of death: 12/10/1916. Additional information: Son of Conrad Cruse, of II-12, Russell Place, High Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.

The other is recorded as Private Conrad Cruse, date of death: 06/11/1918.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Alistair McEwen

[apanderson]

Hi Alistair,

Both Cruse's are listed on Bonnybridge Civic Memorial.

I looked up the Service Records of Conrad Cruse and his family are listed as:
Widow: Elizabeth Cruse, Waverly Place, High Bonnybridge
Father: John Cruse, deceased
Mother: Mary Cruse, age 56, Bonnyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge
Brother: Samuel Cruse, age 35, Bonnyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge
Brother: Andrew Cruse, age 32, Broomhill, Bonnybridge
Brother: John Cruse, age 34, Broomhill, Bonybridge
Brother: James Cruse, age 26, Bonnyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge
Sister: Mary Cruse or Logan, age 28, Bonnyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge
Sister: Jeannie Cruse or McDonald, age 24, Bonnyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge
Sister: Lizzie Cruse or Kane, age 20, Bonyside Terrace, High Bonnybridge

This family tie in with details on the 1901 Census, living in the household of Samuel Little, age 74, Railway Buildings, Greenhill, Bonnybridge. Mary Cruse (or Little) is aged 39, listed as daughter of Samuel (not listed as a widow).

The remainder of the family (1901) are as follows:
Son, Samuel, age 18, Moulder
Son, John, age 17, Labourer
Son, Andrew, age 16, Labourer
Son, Conrad, age 12, Scholar
Daughter, Mary, age 12, Scholar
Son, James age 8, Scholar
Daughter, Jeannie, age 6, Scholar
Daughter, Sarah, age 4
Daughter, Lizzie, age 2

Service Records for Andrew Cruse:
Father: Conrad Cruse
Mother: None (probably means deceased rather than none!!)
Brother: Peter, age 21, 11 & 12 Russell Place, High Bonnybridge
Brother: David, age 14, 11 & 12 Russell Place, High Bonnybridge

1901 Census for this family:
Father, Conrad, age 40
Mother, Mrs. (listed as MR.), age 38
Daughter, Catherine age 24
Daughter, Lizzie age 12
Daughter, Agnes age 10
Son, Andrew, age 8
Daughter, Nellie age 7
Daughter, Maggie age 5
Son, Peter, age 2

So ........... rather than the 2 Cruse's being brothers - more likely to be cousins?

Anne

[Hannah29]

Hi Alistair

Both deaths are noted in the Falkirk Herald. Falkirk Library (falkirk.library@falkirk.gov.uk) may hold back copies of this, or Falkirk Archives (callendar.house@falkirk.gov.uk)

Andrew's death was reported on 28/10/1916 page 3 column f, with a photgraph  included in another report of 11/11/1916 page 6 column d.

The note re Conrad's death appeared on 7/12/1918 page 6 column c, the photograph being included on 21/12/1918 p7 column f.

It's worth lookig at these reports, as family relationships are often mentioned.


Hannah

[GDTom]

Alistair,

Conrad Cruse was a distant cousin of Jane McKee, in same year at HS of S as Dianne Shearer.
I have details of his service record.  He was born c1889 in Greenhill, Bonnybridge & was killed in action on 6/11/1918.

He was a Private in A & SH (Regt No 2895)
He married Elizabeth McDonald on 26/1/1917 in Bonnybridge (possibly whilst on leave)

Parents of Conrad Cruse were:  John Cruse born on 7 /4/1859 at Glasgow & Mary Little c1861 at Glasgow.

Parent of Andrew were: Conrad Cruse (22/12/1860 - Glasgow) &  Jeanie Bain (c1863 at Glasgow)

I am in Cyprus at present & will be back in Cramond on 1 July.
Regards
Tom Cowan

[GDTom]

Alistair,

Outline Details of War Grave are below:

In memory of Private Conrad Cruse
S/2895 2nd Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who died on 6 Nov 1918
Remembered with Honour at Vis-en-Artois Memorial


Tom C

[GDTom]

Alistair,

Another A & SH person was a cousin
James Cowan, born c 1892 at Bannockburn 7 moved with parents (william & Catherine) to West Carron, Falkirk.
He served with 10 Bn A & SH & was killed in action on 30 Sep 1918.
Regt No: S/25420. He is buried in Joncourt British Cemetery.

Tom C

[Cramond Brig]

Tom

Thanks again.

Yes, I have him. He is on CWGC and National Archives, although he is shown as born in Carron. I have changed my entry to Bannockburn.

Cheers

Alistair

[apanderson]

Alistair & Tom,

If it's any help, I've tried to photograph all the war/military graves in Stirlingshire.
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewforum.php?f=18&mforum=scottishwargraves

The way the threads are 'set out' is as follows:

1st - All CWGC Burials in alphabetical order, WW1/WW2
2nd - All non-CWGC Burials in alphabetical order, WW1/WW2 (e.g. men/women killed/died overseas but are listed on a family gravestone)
3rd - Others (e.g. other conflicts or stones simply mentioning a military connection)

Where possible, everyone has tried to cross reference CWGC/SNWM/SDGW/Medal Cards/Service Records etc., and try to identify each individual on local civic/church/other memorials. The above sites run in conjunction with each other and links have been added back and forward, where and when possible. Identification isn't always possible as you both probably know only too well for dozens of reasons!

I hope I'm not sounding like a 'stuck-records', but any contribution either of you could make to either site would be more than welcome.


Anne

[Cramond Brig]

Ann

That is a really superb effort and you are to be commended for it.

One of the big problems I encounter (you will also be aware of it) is that CWGC and other records (e.g. Medal Cards which are particularly lacking in detail) very often give no details of birthplace and/or age - and unfortunately because someone was living in or is buried in a particular locality does not mean they were born there.

We have just presented a Roll of Honour of the 7,500 Irish (north and south) dead to Trinity College, Dublin and the above was a serious problem in identifying not only if people were Irish but also which part of Ireland they were born in. Sensitive issue!! Often they are listed as husband or wife of someone with an Irish address - many of them were not Irish.

Keep up the good work.

Alistair