1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
10/12/1890
Died:
26/04/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
24
Summary
James Weir was the eldest son of James and Margaret Weir. William James Weir was born on 10th December 1890 in Moneymore. He was one of six children. The family lived near Swatragh. James Weir enlisted in Glasgow where he was living at the time. Private James Weir was serving with 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers when he was killed in action on 26th April 1915 at Gallipoli.
Further Information
James Weir was the eldest son of James and Margaret Weir. James Weir married Margaret Watson on13th November 1886 in the district of Cookstown.
William James Weir was born on 10th December 1890 in Moneymore. He was one of six children.
Family: James Weir, Margaret Weir, Mary Anne Weir (born 27th April 1888, Cookstown), William James Weir (born 10th December 1890, Moneymore), Hamilton Weir (born 17th March 1893, Moneymore), Robert J Weir (born 24th July 1895, Moneymore), Edward Alexander Weir (born 25th May 1897, Moneymore), Samuel Weir (born 11th June 1900, Ballycarry, Larne).
The 1901 census lists William J as age 10 living with the family at house 18 in Ballynian, The Grove, County Londonderry. The townland of Ballynian lies just east of Swatragh. James Weir was a ploughman. Margaret Weir was a seamstress.
The 1911 census does not list William James as living with the family at house 1 in Craigavole, The Grove, Londonderry. His father was a farm labourer and caretaker.
William James was in the King's Own Scottish Borderers and had served for four years in India.
James Weir enlisted in Glasgow where he was living at the time.
Private James Weir arrived in Egypt with the King's Own Scottish Borderers on 16th November 1914.
He was stationed in Gibraltar for some time.
Private James Weir was serving with 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers when he was killed in action on 26th April 1915 at Gallipoli.
Private William James Weir’s brother, Sergeant Edward Alexander Weir, was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on Monday 14th October 1918, just three days after the war ended. He was 21 years old.
Private W J Weir has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli in Turkey.
The book ‘Garvagh and Aghadowey Heroes 1914-18’ lists William on page 10.
