Author Archives: ryvoan83

Remembering Alexander Faulds

The new cemetery in Tillicoutry is located on the eastern edge of the town, at the foot of the rugged Ochil Hills. It was opened as a replacement for the nearby churchyard. The cemetery contains many ornate headstones typical of late and post-Victorian cemeteries. Among these headstones is Alexander Faulds’s resting place. In previous postsContinue reading “Remembering Alexander Faulds”

Remembering Robert Haggart

The Haggart brothers, Robert and John, are over 3800 miles apart, one in Canada and the other in Scotland. Both fell victim to the Spanish influenza within just over three months of each other. The widespread impact of the Spanish flu led to numerous losses within families, demonstrating that distance and geography were largely immaterial.Continue reading “Remembering Robert Haggart”

Remembering John Wood Haggart

Vicarsford Cemetery is located a short distance from the Tay Road Bridge in the parish of Forgan, an attractive area in North-East Fife. The cemetery was established in 1894 to replace the nearby Forgan Kirkyard and serve as the new burial ground for Forgan, Wormit, Newport, and other nearby communities. It is situated on aContinue reading “Remembering John Wood Haggart”

Remembering John and Charles Smith

Opened in 1901, Grandsable Cemetery overlooks the BP Refinery at Grangemouth, one of Scotland’s few remaining heavy industrial sites. Juxtaposed against the ornate Edwardian headstones, the landscape is electrifying. The memorial for Janet Smith and her sons may seem unremarkable at first glance, but it holds a profound significance that is easy to overlook. ThomasContinue reading “Remembering John and Charles Smith”

Remembering Matthew McKenzie

Every life lost in a pandemic is a tragedy, regardless of the victim’s age. However, the death of a young person is a particularly devastating loss. The Spanish flu pandemic is infamous for causing fatal illness in young people, and unfortunately, fifteen-year-old Matthew McKenzie was one of the victims. Matthew’s grave is situated in PolmontContinue reading “Remembering Matthew McKenzie”

Remembering James Cowan

I recently purchased the book, ‘They Shall Grow Not Old, ‘ by The Men of Falkirk Parish Church and Erskine Church, Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice in the First World War. Produced in 2014 by researchers for Falkirk Trinity Church of Scotland, this book catalogues the war dead from the congregations of the churches acknowledged in the title.Continue reading “Remembering James Cowan”

Remembering Thomas Bowes

A fellow Facebook local history forum member informed me about Thomas Bowes. Thomas is buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery in Vicenza Province, North-East Italy. He passed away on December 1, 1918, at twenty-one. His obituary in the Falkirk Herald on December 21 cites pneumonia as the cause of death. Given his age andContinue reading “Remembering Thomas Bowes”

Remembering Pioneer John Gourlay Graham

John, who was on leave from France, was suddenly taken from us on November 15th 1918. His headstone bears witness to this fact. His death registration confirmed that his pneumonia was a result of ‘acute influenza’. He passed away at his familial home at 20 Forth Avenue, Kirkcaldy, at the tender age of twenty-five. JohnContinue reading “Remembering Pioneer John Gourlay Graham”