fife

BARCLAY, William Kirk, Lieut. Disembarked Boulogne, France, 2 May 1915. Died of wounds, 20 June 1915, aged 37. Beath Western Cemetery, Fife, 896. Husband of Helen Barclay, 54 Blake Street, Brucefield, Dunfermline. COWDENBEATH LIEUTENANT WOUNDED. Lieutenant Wm. K. Barclay, 1/7th Black Watch (T.F.), eldest son of ex-Provost Barclay, Cowdenbeath, lies, dangerously wounded, in a Boulogne hospital. He has seen over 22 years’ service as a Volunteer and Territorial, having joined the Lochgelly Company in 1893. He did much to have a company established at Cowdenbeath, and when it was formed in 1906 he obtained his commission. The Scotsman, Monday, 21 June 1915, 9. CASUALTIES AMONG FIFESHIRE TERRITORIALS. Lieutenant Barclay, Cowdenbeath, severely wounded with shrapnel, from the effects of which he has since died. At a special meeting of Cowdenbeath Town Council last night, it was agreed to place on record the Council’s deep regret at the loss sustained by the death of Lieutenant W. K. Barclay, a member of the Council, who has died of wounds at Boulogne, and to express appreciation of the services rendered by him to his country and the community. The Scotsman, Tuesday, 22 June 1915, 6. DEATHS. BARCLAY. – Died at Boulogne on June 20th, of wounds received in action on16th, First Lieut. W. K. BARCLAY, 1/7th Black Watch, aged 37, beloved husband of Helen Troup, and eldest son of Mr and Mrs Charles Barclay, Cowdenbeath. Funeral (public) from Drill Hall, Cowdenbeath, Saturday, June 26th, at 3.45 P.M. Public service at 3.15. Only intimation and invitation. The Scotsman, Friday, 25 June 1915, 12. FUNERAL OF A FIFE OFFICER The funeral of Lieutenant W. K. Barclay, 1/7th Black Watch, who died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, on June 20th from wounds received in action a few days earlier, took place at Cowdenbeath on Saturday afternoon. After a service had been held in the Drill Hall, the body was taken on a gun carriage supplied by the R.F.A. to Beath Cemetery, followed by a large number of mourners. A detachment of 40 soldiers from the regiment formed the firing party, and as the coffin was being lowered in the grave pipers played “Lochaber No More,” and “The Last Post” was sounded. Lieutenant Barclay was a member of Beath Parish Council and of Cowdenbeath Town Council. The Scotsman, Monday, 28 June, 1915, 8. BIRTHS. BARCLAY. – At 257 High Street, Cowdenbeath, on the 14th inst., the wife of the late Lieut. W. K. BARCLAY, 1/7th Black Watch (died of wounds at Boulogne 20th June), of a son. The Scotsman, Thursday, 16 September 1915, 11.

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In a History of Cowdenbeath, available here: electricscotland.com/council/pdf/Cowdenbeath-History_text... the following is said under a (badly reproduced) photograph of William Kirby Barclay: “Lieut. W. K. Barclay, founder of Cowdenbeath Rifle Club and original officer of Cowdenbeath Territorials, a victim of last war. “ Here are two photographs of the Cowdenbeath Rifle Club, which my great grandfather was a member of, taken around 1910. I believe that William Kirk Barclay may be in both photos, but I’m not sure about the exact person — there are at least two contenders in each photo. The photos are here: www.flickr.com/photos/fernie__and_related/51306552244/in/... www.flickr.com/photos/fernie__and_related/51305088827/in/...

Robert Frederick Balfour. Born in the first quarter of 1883, baptised on 16th March of that year at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London. Second child and oldest son of Edward Balfour 8th Laird of Balbirnie [b.1849 Fife d.1927 London] and Isabella Weyman Balfour nee Hooper [b.1859 Boston Mass. USA d.1938 Fife]. The 1891 records him as a visitor to the Lott household - a lodging house, at Grand Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex along with his older sister Alice Georgiana [b.1880 d.1979], younger brother Edward William [b.1884 d.1955] –and who was later to succeed the title to become the 9th Laird after Robert was killed – and younger sister Eva Katherine [b.1888]. Robert would also have another younger brother John [b.1895] who was also a casualty of the war, being killed in action on 21st March 1918 while serving with the Signals Coy of 2nd Bn. Scots Guards at Aras. The 1901 census records him as a boarder at one of the houses of Eton College where he was a pupil. Not found in the 1911 Census – probably because by that time he was already serving in the army. London Gazette entries read; April 1912 – Lieut. Robert F Balfour is seconded for service on the staff. Dated 1st April 1912. April 1912 – Lieut. Robert F Balfour, Scots Guards, to be Aide-de-Camp to Major General W P Pultney C.B., D.S.O., commanding 6th Div. February 1913 – The under mentioned Lieuts. To be Captains....... Robert F Balfour (and to remain seconded) effective 18th Jan 1913. He was killed on 28th October 914 at Gheluvelt, Belgium and is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery between and unknown soldier of the AIF and an unknown soldier of unknown nationality.

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