George Cunningham

RankPrivate 331327George Cunningham - thanks to Thia Begg
MedalsBritish War Medal, Victory Medal
RegimentHighland Light Infantry, 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
Military Service

The 9th HLI landed at Le Havre on 5th November 1914 and served in France from then on, initially in 5th Brigade, 2nd Division.  The Battalion transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division 29 May 1916 in the run up to the Battle of the Somme.  Bearing in mind Cunningham’s age and the fact that he was not entitled to the 1914-15 Star it seems he cannot have reached France until sometime in 1916.  In April and May 1916 the Battalion received several large drafts to make up numbers (325 in total) and family letters confirm that Cunningham arrived in April.

Born

17th November 1897 Glasgow

Death15th July 1916
Circumstances of Death

Killed in action.
On 14th/15th July the 9th HLI were involved in the attempt to capture High Wood, one action in the Battle of the Somme, and sustained heavy casualties.

Age18
MemorialThiepval Memorial, Pier And Face 15 C.
CWGC Information

Son of James Cunningham, of 126, Ingleby Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow

Parents

James Cunningham (c1866-1949) & Bethia Crosbie (c1864-1938) married June 1892.

Father's Occupation

Mercantile clerk (1911 census). Later a partner (?) in James Ingleton & Co., 166 and 168 George Street, Glasgow and subsequently in his own firm Wm Cunningham (Glasgow), 158A Bath Street, Glasgow.

Siblings

Jeanie S (c1895- ), James C (c1901-)

Spouse

Unmarried

Education

Whitehill School, Glasgow

Occupation

Student – Matriculated at University of Glasgow but joined HLI instead

1901 Census

70 Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow

1911 Census

114 Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow

Home Address

1916 – 126 Ingleby Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow

Glasgow NecropolisCompartment Secundus Lair 51
Other Memorials

Scottish National War Memorial
Whitehill Secondary School

Acknowledgements and Sources

Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below.  The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to Thia Begg,  Ancestry, and Find my past.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Family Search

Scotlands People

The Long, Long Trail

The Scottish War Memorials Project

Colonel A K Reid Shoulder to Shoulder: The Glasgow Highlanders, 9th Bn Highland Light Infantry 1914-1918.  1988

9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 November 1914-30 April 1916 (TNA WO95/1347/3)

9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, War Diary 1 May 1916-31 May 1919 (TNA WO95/2431/1)

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Credits

Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.

 
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