2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry – Sergeant Alexander Murdoch…
“Intimation has been received by Mr. Alexander Murdock, Union Street, Ballymoney, that his son, Private Alexander Murdock, Highland Light Infantry, was wounded in action in France, and is now in hospital in England, suffering from shrapnel wounds to the head, arm, and body.” Belfast Newsletter – Tuesday, December 21, 1915.
Alexander was born on 18 May 1883 in Ballyboyland, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. He was the fifth child and fourth son of Alexander Murdock and Jane Holmes. On 7 Jun 1877 his parents were United in Marriage in the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church by Rev. J. Brown and in the presence of William Wasson and Mary Biggart. Alexander, known as Alex, is my 1st cousin 3x removed – his father is my 2nd great uncle and brother to my 2nd great grandfather, William.
In the 1901 Scottish Census I discovered Alex living at 46 Hutcheson Street, Maryhill, Lanarkshire, Scotland and working as a general labourer. He and his brother Archie were living with their aunt, Sarah Jayne Burkhill (nee Murdock), and family after having left their home town of Ballymoney.
Upon discovering a document entitled Attestation for the Militia or Reserve Division of the Militia, dated 23 Nov 1903, I learned that Alex was residing at 43 Burnhouse Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. The documentation further disclosed that Alex was in the employ of Brown & Co. Shipbuilders, Clydebank, Glasgow. He was a man of small stature – standing at 5 feet 5 3/4” tall, of fresh complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. Alex, a Presbyterian, had ‘no distinctive marks’.
I was unable to find any trace of Alex again until I came across the 1911 Census – Return of all Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commission Officers, Trumpeters, Drummers and Rank, Alex was listed as a Lance Corporal with the Highland Light Infantry. It seems while living in Glasgow he had enlisted at Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
An excerpt from “Ballymoney Heros” by Robert Thompson stated: “In January 1916 Alex was in hospital suffering from injuries but was improving and looking forward to ten days leave. I have been unable to trace the family of Alex Murdock but he was with his battalion north of the River Ancre in October 1916.
The first week of November saw a change in the weather, with some prospects of a lasting improvement. The weather had been very wet and the terrible condition of the water-logged trenches, many of which, including important communication ways, were little better than treacherous quagmires, while others were filled with water to a depth of three or four feet. The attack, however, was set for the 13th, zero hour being 5:45 a.m.
On the 11th the battalion occupied their trenches for the last time and after the huge amount of repair work which had been done on them they were so deep that it was almost impossible to get out of them and a great number of ladders had to be used to overcome the difficulty. So impetuous were the leading waves of the attack that they entered the enemy front line at the same time as the British barrage, and undoubtedly suffered many casualties from their own shell fire. Within six minutes the line was captured and many German prisoners taken. It was during this attack that Alex Murdock was killed…”
9140 Serjeant Alexander Murdock, 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry who was Killed in Action 13 Nov 1916 is remembered in “Ireland’s Memorial Records – Soldiers Who Died in the Great War” – he is Remembered with Honour and Commemorated in Perpetuity in Thiepval Memorial, Pier 15 C.
Like so many others, Alex did not come home!
We are the dead: Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved: and now we lie In Flanders fields! Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
So very sad. War wastes so many good lives, good people. If only the war to end all wars had in fact lived up to its motto.
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So true Amy. Nice to hear from you, I hope you are well. I’ve finally, after almost a year, had time to write! 🙂
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It’s great to see you back in the blogosphere! Hope to see more from you. 🙂
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Thanks Amy
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Nice that Mr. CJ Murdock was able piece together a little history and tribute to his ancestor. Another young precious life wasted in a senseless war.
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Thank you for taking time to comment Colin. Unfortunately, there are many sad stories in my family involving both World Wars! 😦 Ms. Colleen J. Murdoch! 😉
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Happy and peaceful new year to you Colleen.
Once again your wonderful blog of our shared Murdoch family was insightful – thank you. As a child I used to go swimming in the public pool in Burnhouse Street, unaware that I was walking in my ancestors footsteps. Sincere thanks for sharing your findings, your hard work is much appreciated. Xx
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Hi Elaine, Happy New Year to you and your family as well. I haven’t been as active in 2018 as I hope to be in 2019…. life just keeps getting in the way. I’ll send you an email and hopefully we can chat soon. xxx
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CJ My grandmother was living in GarryHarry as did my mother and her brother Alexander who is married to a Tillie Sweeney Grandfather was a Spratt and Grandmother was a Dobson (Robinson)
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Hi Peter, great to hear from you. If I am correct, and based on your information, we are related by the marriage of Tillie Sweeney (who I met several years ago) and Alexander Spratt. Tillie is my 2nd cousin 1x removed; her grandfather and my great grandmother were siblings. I would love to exchange information and will send you an email. Thanks for getting in touch and Happy New Year!
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i traced my family back to my great grandmother and grandfather who had 6 children my grandmother left home in Donegal letterkenny to work in Glasgow age13got married age 16 and had 16 children reared me from the age of 1yr and i am now 85 yrs
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Hi Joseph, thank you for reading. 16 children! That’s fantastic and would include a huge amount of research. Hope you are having a lovely day. 🙂 Colleen
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