7519: Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell from Durris, Scotland

online resource

posted on 2024-01-18, 10:42 authored by Lest We Forget Project Team

Charles Robert Willox was cousin to my grandfather Sidney McLennan. He was born on 02/08/1897 at Maryculter, Kincardineshire, Scotland, the son of George Willox and Christina Willox née McLennan. They lived at Denside, Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He was killed in action on 05/09/1916 in France. He is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France on Panel 15C, along with other Gordon Highlanders.

At a chance meeting at the Family History Society somebody told me that his neighbour had found a "dead man's penny"� in his garden. This was the name given to a bronze plaque, almost five inches across, which was given to the next-of-kin of every serviceman killed in the 1914-18 War. I asked about the name on it. "Willox" was the reply. "Not Charles?" I asked. A phone-call in the evening confirmed my hopes. Yes, Charles Willox was indeed the name which appeared on it.

Charles had a sister, Mary, who married James Campbell on 29/01/1918 in Aberdeen. He was a company sergeant major in the Gordon Highlanders. James also lost a brother in the First World War. He was David Milne Campbell. He was born on 04/01/1891, the son of James Campbell and Isabella Campbell, née Kay. They lived at Brachmont, Durris. He was killed in action on 09/05/1915 in Belgium. He is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 10.

Both Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell are commemorated on the Durris War Memorial.

History

Name of contributor(s)

Anne Park

Subject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to

Charles Robert Willox. Private, 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. David Milne Campbell, Sapper, Canadian Divisional Engineers.

Date(s) the event(s) in the story took place

05/09/1916. 09/05/1915.

Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place

Maryculter, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Durris, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Canada. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Object(s)

1. Photograph of Charles Robert Willox. 1 image. 2. Notes about Charles Robert Willox and David Milne Campbell. 1 image. 3. Photograph of David Milne Campbell and newspaper cutting concerning his death. 1 image. 4. Letter from the Canadian Record Office in London informing the parents of the death of David Milne Campbell. 1 image.