Euro 2024 ~ Family War Grave in Glasgow …

Through my continuing family tree research, it was about 25 years ago that I discovered my granduncle named Hugh Wright, who died during WWI. By two decades, he was the much older brother to my grandfather Thomas Downie Wright (11 July 1904 ~ 11 November 1951). Over the years since finding Hugh, I have learned some interesting details about him, but feel there is still much to be discovered.

Hugh was born during 1884 in Glasgow, to parents Hugh Wright (3 June 1857 ~ 23 June 1953) and Janet Strath (8 November 1864 ~ 3 August 1937). During the time when the family lived at 108 Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow,  He took leave from his barber’s shop business to join the Scottish Rifles, on 7 April 1915 and was given service number 18237. Only two days later on 9 April, he was discharged with his military records stating in hand-written notes ~ “Discharged under para 392 (iii) (b) “Not likely to become an efficient soldier.”

After this I have no idea what happened in Hugh’s life, all I do know is what has been told to me by older family members ~ that Hugh came back from the war’s front, which would likely have been France or Belgium, badly injured and died later of those injuries. 

He was buried at Glasgow’s Southern Necropolis (Central Division) Municipal Cemetery (Grave reference 231). His gravestone indicates that he died on 30 June 1916 while serving as a Private with the 6th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) with service number 4511. Cemetery records state that his funeral took place on 3 July 1916 at 3.00pm.

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) records and the information on his gravestone, it is obvious after his rejection from the Scottish Rifles (with service number 18237) on 9 April 1915, he later joined the 6th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) with service number 4511. I am sure this will be a future project for me, to find out more about Hugh’s military background and service.

Below are photos of my visit to Hugh’s grave together with his original Scottish Rifles Military Record, CWGC information and Cemetery Record.

I would like to thank Deirdre Molloy, Vice Chair of The South Glasgow Heritage & Environment Trust (SGHET), who researched and then provided me with the cemetery records. This was an enormous help to me in locating Hugh's grave in what are the vast grounds of Glasgow’s Southern Necropolis (Central Division) Cemetery, without her input the task would have been rather more challenging.

From the photos below, you will see that the cemetery which is under the administration of the City of Glasgow, is in a very poor state of maintenance. 

There are 27 CWGC graves at this location, 25 from WWI and 2 from WWII. The CWGC maintain the gravestones, but unfortunately have no control on the other aspects of the cemetery.