During darker times in our history Bonnybridge men and women were not afraid to go forward during two world wars to defend their country. Many died in the conflicts and their names are recorded on our two war memorials.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
Click on the pics to see larger images
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
Click on the pics to see larger images
Click on the buttons above to see the names, ranks and regiments of those from Bonnybridge who fell defending our counry.
WORLD WAR ONE - 1914 -1918
The WW1 Memorial on the left carries 177 names. In truth there were even more casualties and some names have been added later. The entire population of Bonnybridge at that time was approximately 3,000 souls. Nearly 6% of the population was lost - mainly young men - a great social and economic loss to the village.
Issue No 9 of the Bonnyseen Magazine focusses on WW1 and can be downloaded from the picture below - just click on the front cover illustration.
Issue No 9 of the Bonnyseen Magazine focusses on WW1 and can be downloaded from the picture below - just click on the front cover illustration.
To help understand the effect on individual families in Bonnybridge we have information in our archives donated by family members. More details of each soldier mentioned below can be found in the magazine above.
JOHN & WILLIAM SHEARER - lived in Main St, Bonnybridge. John enlisted on 9th November 1915. Promoted to Lance Corporal he died of his wounds on 15th April 1918. William joined the Seaforth Highlanders. He died of his wounds in France on 23rd June 1916. What a blow to a local family to have lost two sons within 2 years, and the grief of a widowed girl after only two years of marriage!!
PRIVATE THOMAS YOUNG - Service number - 66875. Grange Cottage, High Bonnybridge
Thomas was one of the first from Bonnybridge when he signed up to join theMachine Gun Corps (Infantry) 59th Company.
On January 11th he wrote to his sister that he expected to be "sailing across the water" to France, by 28th July a postcard from him said "I am quite well". He was due to come home on leave around 19th August 1917.
Imagine the excitement among his family and friends awaiting his homecoming - he never arrived! On16th of August they recieved the dreaded news - 'killed in action'. His family and friends must have been bereft at his loss.
His grave can be found at the Tyne Cot Memorial graveyard in Belgium.
Thomas was one of the first from Bonnybridge when he signed up to join theMachine Gun Corps (Infantry) 59th Company.
On January 11th he wrote to his sister that he expected to be "sailing across the water" to France, by 28th July a postcard from him said "I am quite well". He was due to come home on leave around 19th August 1917.
Imagine the excitement among his family and friends awaiting his homecoming - he never arrived! On16th of August they recieved the dreaded news - 'killed in action'. His family and friends must have been bereft at his loss.
His grave can be found at the Tyne Cot Memorial graveyard in Belgium.
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THE McPHERSON FAMILY - 20 Milnquarter Cottages (Stein's Row)
Daniel and Margaret McPherson had 11 children - four of whom served during WW1. Daniel and Alexander joined the Field Artillery and David and Stuart served with the Gordon Highlanders.
Three of the lads survived but Stuart was killed on 16th October 1915 aged 24. He is buried at the Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France.
Daniel and Margaret McPherson had 11 children - four of whom served during WW1. Daniel and Alexander joined the Field Artillery and David and Stuart served with the Gordon Highlanders.
Three of the lads survived but Stuart was killed on 16th October 1915 aged 24. He is buried at the Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France.
MICHAEL SYLVESTER McMAHON signed up in 1916 and joined the 3rd Infantry Brigafe, Royal Munster Fusiliers in March 1917. After several battles he was posted missing at Passchendale but later he was recorded by the Red Cross as present at three different Prisoner of War camps. The slide show below shows Michael, his Red Cross record and pictures of POW camps.
HUGH FERGUSON lived at Woodlea Terrace, High Bonnybridge with his wife and 10 children. He was promoted to Sergeant in March 1915 and volunteered for active service in France and was sent over on8th July 1915. 35 days later he was killed in action. Photos below show Hugh and his death announcement,
JOHN HUXTABLE - Medal pics shown in Bonnyseen
PIPER ARCHIBALD McNEILLAGE - Piper - his life was saved when a piece of shrapnel struck a half-crown and soldier's book in his breast pocket. His diary ("I got wounded in three places. Two shots in the head and one shot in the arm. Not very bad though, could have been worse.")and full story and pictures in Bonnyseen 4.
Jenny Connell
When WW1 started many workers left the farms to fight for their country. The farms lost many workers. Against her father's wishes she worked on his farm The Drum, High Bonnybridge, to help replace the fighting men. The photo beelow shows 15 year old Jenny at the plough - a hard enough task for a man.
When WW1 started many workers left the farms to fight for their country. The farms lost many workers. Against her father's wishes she worked on his farm The Drum, High Bonnybridge, to help replace the fighting men. The photo beelow shows 15 year old Jenny at the plough - a hard enough task for a man.
She later married and had 3 daughters and a son.
However when WW2 broke out she continues to 'do her bit' - by billeting soldiers from the nearby searchlight company and catering for the men training at the 'Targets'. Her full fascinating story is told in Bonnyseen 12. |
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As well as the WW1 Bonnybridge memorial obelisk, several organisations honoured their own members or workers.
WORLD WAR 2 - 1939-1945
"The War Illustrated."
One fascinating item in our archives is a copy of "The War Illustrated" from April 1944. Our original copy is very fragile so click on the Front cover illustration below to read the scanned Digital version.
SERGT WILLAM MILNE - Railway Buildings, Greenhill, Bonnybridge, Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal
MANY OF THE STORIES BELOW ARE EXCERPTS DRAWN FROM THE PAGES OF OUR 'BONNYSEEN' MAGAZINE. IF YOU WISH TO READ MORE DETAIL CLICK ON THE 'BONNYSEEN' LINK TO GO TO THE MAGAZINE PAGE AND DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE RELEVANT ISSUE.
One of the soldiers to receive the Welcome Home letter was Sergeant George Anderson.
At the outbreak of the war Mr Anderson joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. In 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery during the battle for Monte Cassino, one of the most dangerous of the war. His full story is told in Bonnyseen 17 with information about a reception for him after the war and a copy of his medal citation
At the outbreak of the war Mr Anderson joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. In 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery during the battle for Monte Cassino, one of the most dangerous of the war. His full story is told in Bonnyseen 17 with information about a reception for him after the war and a copy of his medal citation
WW2 MEMORIES (1)
Mrs Hanna Bateman
Mrs Bateman remembers walking to Castlecary Infants school, paying 1 old penny each way when she got to Greenhill School, and roaming the moor behind this school as their playground. Out playing she remembered seeing a jeep with soldiers in it coming along the road and being terrified - the only jeeps she had seen before were in newsreel shots of the Nazis rounding up prisoners! She thought the Germans were atacking. Most of all she remembered the close community of Allandale women. Her full story is told in Bonnyseen 13.
Mrs Hanna Bateman
Mrs Bateman remembers walking to Castlecary Infants school, paying 1 old penny each way when she got to Greenhill School, and roaming the moor behind this school as their playground. Out playing she remembered seeing a jeep with soldiers in it coming along the road and being terrified - the only jeeps she had seen before were in newsreel shots of the Nazis rounding up prisoners! She thought the Germans were atacking. Most of all she remembered the close community of Allandale women. Her full story is told in Bonnyseen 13.
WW2 MEMORIES (2)
"Annie" (full name witheld)
Annie remembered her life in Greenhill. Here wartime memories included putting fake tan on yout legs them drawing a dark line up them to resemble stockings, or buying 'fully fashioned' (knitted) stockings though the cheap ones had no heels! Her story can be read in Bonnyseen 3.
"Annie" (full name witheld)
Annie remembered her life in Greenhill. Here wartime memories included putting fake tan on yout legs them drawing a dark line up them to resemble stockings, or buying 'fully fashioned' (knitted) stockings though the cheap ones had no heels! Her story can be read in Bonnyseen 3.
WW2 MEMORIES (3)
Nan Ure of Banknock remembered working as bookeeper at various brickworks in the area. There's a story of two paracute bombs being dropped on Bonnybridge - perhaps a German bomber was lightening its load on its way back to Germany. (They used the shine from the Forth and Clyde canal on their way to bomb Clydebank.) One of the bombs did not explode and was guarded overnight. However some enerprising person got hold of one of the parachutes and pieces were distribute around the village. Nan stil had her piece after all these years! Her full story can be found in Bonnyseen 2.
Nan Ure of Banknock remembered working as bookeeper at various brickworks in the area. There's a story of two paracute bombs being dropped on Bonnybridge - perhaps a German bomber was lightening its load on its way back to Germany. (They used the shine from the Forth and Clyde canal on their way to bomb Clydebank.) One of the bombs did not explode and was guarded overnight. However some enerprising person got hold of one of the parachutes and pieces were distribute around the village. Nan stil had her piece after all these years! Her full story can be found in Bonnyseen 2.
WW2 MEMORIES (4)
From a letter to a grandson RGM (name witheld)
RGM's memories were rich and varied and must have greatly helped his grandson with his homework! He writes about life in the blackout, the Air Raid Wardens, the Clydebank Blitz, the 'liberated' bomb parachute, the Polish troops billeted in Bonnybridge, tasting a banana for the first time. The full fascinating letter can be found in Bonnyseen 7.
WW2 MEMORIES (5)
Wilson Bulloch remembered practising Air Raid Warning procedures running to a bomb shelter carrying a Mickey Mouse style gas mask, Lord Haw Haw's rantings on the radio, rationing, being taught knitting, watching the glow in the sky from the Clydebank Blitz some 25 miles away! Full story in Bonnyseen 8.
From a letter to a grandson RGM (name witheld)
RGM's memories were rich and varied and must have greatly helped his grandson with his homework! He writes about life in the blackout, the Air Raid Wardens, the Clydebank Blitz, the 'liberated' bomb parachute, the Polish troops billeted in Bonnybridge, tasting a banana for the first time. The full fascinating letter can be found in Bonnyseen 7.
WW2 MEMORIES (5)
Wilson Bulloch remembered practising Air Raid Warning procedures running to a bomb shelter carrying a Mickey Mouse style gas mask, Lord Haw Haw's rantings on the radio, rationing, being taught knitting, watching the glow in the sky from the Clydebank Blitz some 25 miles away! Full story in Bonnyseen 8.
WW2 MEMORIES (6)
Jessie Wilson Adams
Jessie's story is about a young wife with her first baby having to escape from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore after the Japanse started atacking. Seriously ill with pneumonia she and her baby were evacuted from Singapore leaving her husband behind. After the war they were reunited and eventually settled in Pleasance Gardens, Bonnybridge. Her full story can be found in Bonnyseen issue 11.
Jessie Wilson Adams
Jessie's story is about a young wife with her first baby having to escape from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore after the Japanse started atacking. Seriously ill with pneumonia she and her baby were evacuted from Singapore leaving her husband behind. After the war they were reunited and eventually settled in Pleasance Gardens, Bonnybridge. Her full story can be found in Bonnyseen issue 11.
WW2 MEMORIES (7)
Mrs McLearie remembered the Clydebank Blitz.- 13th March 1946.
"My friend Tina had bought a new coat that needed a hem taken up as it was too long for her. Her mother did not sew, but mine did, and that’s why she was at my home." She then starts a tale of being caught up in that terrible night, the screaming bombs, the silent but deadly land mines, those who died, cheering when the kids heard all the schools were damaged, trying to get her friend home only to find the house bombed out and her family evacuted. Read the full story in Bonnyseen 12.
Mrs McLearie remembered the Clydebank Blitz.- 13th March 1946.
"My friend Tina had bought a new coat that needed a hem taken up as it was too long for her. Her mother did not sew, but mine did, and that’s why she was at my home." She then starts a tale of being caught up in that terrible night, the screaming bombs, the silent but deadly land mines, those who died, cheering when the kids heard all the schools were damaged, trying to get her friend home only to find the house bombed out and her family evacuted. Read the full story in Bonnyseen 12.
WW2 MEMORIES (8)
Memories of Evcuation.
During WW2 children - and sometimes parents - were moved out of cities to rural areas to avoid the bombing from enemy aircraft. Quite a few came to Bonnybridge. We have a few stories of what it meant to be an evacuee.
Florence Allan, born in ‘the’ Calton district of Glasgow, was one of these children. She remembers a long bus journey with her mother to Bonnybridge - a place quite unlike her city home. They left behind her father snd three brothers one of whom died in the war at age 17. Her full story is worth a read in Bonnyseen 14.
In the same magazine Margaret McDougall remembers the McLean family who came from Clydebank at the start of the war and lived in Longcroft. The father and brother went to work by bus every day to Clydebank - 25 miles away! She also remembers two girls coming to Longcroft as refugees.
WW2 MEMORIES (9)
2983352 PRIVATE ROBERT JOHN MORRIS
Bobby Morris was already a member of the local territorial army company for nearly two years before the outbreak of war. As a territorial, he was enlisted into the regular army at the age 28 and sent to Aldershot where he was trained in how to use an Anti -Tank rifle. In 1940 his family in Allandale received thr devastating message that he was "missing presumed killed". However what his family did not know was that he had been taken prisoner of war. His story is told in Bonnyseen 20.
WW2 MEMORIES (10)
Robert Hopkins Thomson
Determined to see her husband before he was sent off to war in Europe a young mother from Greenhill took her two young children the length of war-torn Britain and through bombed-out London to meet him on the south east coast of England. The full story can be downloaded from the link below.
Memories of Evcuation.
During WW2 children - and sometimes parents - were moved out of cities to rural areas to avoid the bombing from enemy aircraft. Quite a few came to Bonnybridge. We have a few stories of what it meant to be an evacuee.
Florence Allan, born in ‘the’ Calton district of Glasgow, was one of these children. She remembers a long bus journey with her mother to Bonnybridge - a place quite unlike her city home. They left behind her father snd three brothers one of whom died in the war at age 17. Her full story is worth a read in Bonnyseen 14.
In the same magazine Margaret McDougall remembers the McLean family who came from Clydebank at the start of the war and lived in Longcroft. The father and brother went to work by bus every day to Clydebank - 25 miles away! She also remembers two girls coming to Longcroft as refugees.
WW2 MEMORIES (9)
2983352 PRIVATE ROBERT JOHN MORRIS
Bobby Morris was already a member of the local territorial army company for nearly two years before the outbreak of war. As a territorial, he was enlisted into the regular army at the age 28 and sent to Aldershot where he was trained in how to use an Anti -Tank rifle. In 1940 his family in Allandale received thr devastating message that he was "missing presumed killed". However what his family did not know was that he had been taken prisoner of war. His story is told in Bonnyseen 20.
WW2 MEMORIES (10)
Robert Hopkins Thomson
Determined to see her husband before he was sent off to war in Europe a young mother from Greenhill took her two young children the length of war-torn Britain and through bombed-out London to meet him on the south east coast of England. The full story can be downloaded from the link below.
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THE HOME FRONT
As the war progressed the people who stayed at home 'did their bit' to support the soldiers fighting for King and Country. Churches played a very large role in this by encouraging parishioners to take part. Acrivities such as knitting socks fo soldiers, raising funds for the Red Cross who helped prisoners of war and offering entertainment for soldiers billeted far from home in Bonnybridge - including Polish soldiers resident in the village. Exhortations to the parishioners of St Joseph's church (often encouraging a bit more effort!) are copied in Bonnyseen 17.
THE FINAL SOLUTION - NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS
Apart from the 'normal' horrors of war the horrors of concentration camps only became known as the war ended when allied troops began to push forward and liberate land held by the Nazis. We were privileged to learn of the experiences of two local pupils - Alysha McMillan & Rachel Lapsley who took part in a school visit to Auschwitz – Birkenau Concentration Camp. The stories the girls told of lessons learned and emotions encountered are given in detail in Bonnyseen 18.
Jessie Hanna
Another story in the same issue tells the tale of a young Bonnybridge girl, Jessie Hanna, who was trapped in Belgium when the country was invaded by the Nazis in 1940. What started out as an exciting opportunity to look after two young children in a foreign country in 1938 turned out to be a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse trying to avoid being interned by the Nazis as an 'enemy alien'. It was only seven years later that she managed to get home to her family in Scotland. Read her terrifying story in Bonnyseen 18.
THE 'COLD WAR' ERA
As World War II dragged to an end in 1945, the leaders of the “Big Three” allied powers—the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain—met in Potsdam, Germany, to hash out terms to conclude the bloodiest conflict the world had ever seen. Britain, Russia and America, who were allies worked together to bring peace to Europe. However Japan was still at war with these allies and a few months later that same year America ended the Japan war by dropping the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The power of that weapon frightened the Russians who were wary of their new 'allies' and from then on they developed their own nuclear weapons. So started the 'Cold War' - while actual war was never declared both sides built up a frightening arsenal of nuclear weapons - some said enough to wipe out the entire world!
The Cold War only ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but tensions still exist between the two Great Powers.
Both sides were so worried that the other would attack first they set up monitoring stations to try to detect incoming missiles as early as possible.
One such station was sited in Bonnybridge. Watch the YouTube video below to see what's left inside one abandoned station.
The Cold War only ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but tensions still exist between the two Great Powers.
Both sides were so worried that the other would attack first they set up monitoring stations to try to detect incoming missiles as early as possible.
One such station was sited in Bonnybridge. Watch the YouTube video below to see what's left inside one abandoned station.
ABANDONED MONITORING STATION from YouTube