Peter Williamson, 5 KOSB

[wulliam]

It's a long, long time since I posted on here, but thanks in advance for any thoughts you have on this matter...

 

Peter Williamson appears on a Roll of Honour in the church where I grew up in Dumfries, southern Scotland - I'm hoping to produce a small booklet on the 21 men named.

The Roll of Honour commemorates those from the congregation who were involved in WW1, including but not limited to those who were wounded or died.

 

I am puzzled by this man, because he appears as a Sergeant-Major on the Roll of Honour, and in a court paternity case in 1915.

His pensions index card shows him as a Private (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 6505, struck-through, and replaced with KOSB 2266), discharged through sickness October 1916 - disabilities: bilharzia due to service.

The medal roll shows him as a Corporal (5 KOSB, 2266), enlisted October 1914, discharged October 1916 because of sickness.

His entitlement to the Silver War Badge shows him as a Corporal (5 KOSB 2266), discharged October 1916 because of sickness, not having served overseas.

A 1918 newspaper article refers to a presentation made to "Company Sergeant-Major Williamson from the members of the Thornhill detachment of the Dumfriesshire Volunteers, in recognition of his service as a drill instructor".

 

I am confident that all of these details, with the possible exception of the 1918 newspaper article, are for the same man...I can explain why, if you'd find it helpful.

 

My puzzlement, and questions, are as follows:

 

Where did he contract bilharzia, if he didn't serve overseas? Apparently it is most commonly found in Africa, but also the Middle East, and Asia.

What is going on with his various ranks?

 

Thanks for your time!

 

Kind regards,

William

 

[johnmelling1979]

 

The 5th Bn and 4 th Bn fought at Gallipoli (4th Bn. especially, suffering heavy losses), then in Palestine (Gaza) and the Western Front

 

And yes Bilharzia, caused by a parasitic flatworm is found in subtropical and tropical regions

 

"Also known as schistosomiasis or snail fever, bilharzia is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. The parasites are carried by freshwater snails, and humans can become infected after direct contact with contaminated bodies of water including ponds, lakes and irrigation canals. There are several different types of Schistosoma parasite, each of which affects different internal organs. Although the disease is not immediately fatal, if untreated it can lead to extensive internal damage and ultimately, death."

 

So he either did go overseas or came into contact with someone who had been!

[Mark1959]

2 local newspaper reports in 1914 show a Peter Williamson of Dumfries amongst others enlisting into the 5th KOSB Territorials. The reports are 31/10/14 and 4/11/14. So same time as enlistment you suggest. So maybe his A & S H service was pre-war and that was when he got the disease. Looking at 6505 in the army numbering blog this may suggest he enlisted in 1898 ish. All speculation without supporting docs.

Both regular battalions of A & S H served in India at different times pre-war.

Edited 12 August , 2020 by Mark1959

[wulliam]

John, Mark - thanks very much for your thoughts.

Your suggestion, Mark, that he may have been in the A&SH before WW1 is one I hadn't contemplated - I shall follow that up.

 

Many thanks again,

William

[johnmelling1979]

 

A pre 1914 war service may be a route to try and trace

 

Not sure how fast or long the Bilharzia  show symptoms/can last ? Could be weeks, months or a year ? But say he served in India, catches Bilharzia

Ends up back In England is plausible

 

As for your above mention of him as of 1918 you quoted -

 

"A 1918 newspaper article refers to a presentation made to "Company Sergeant-Major Williamson from the members of the Thornhill detachment of the Dumfriesshire Volunteers, in recognition of his service as a drill instructor""

 

 

I found this-

The 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers (Territorial Force) was established on 1st April 1908 by the amalgamation of the 3rd (Dumfries) Volunteer Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers and the Galloway (Kirkcudbright and Wigtown) Volunteer Rifle Corps (less 'C' Company, Stranraer, which transferred to the 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers). The battalion was renamed the 5th (Dumfries and Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers (T.F.) in March 1909 and it was under this title that the battalion offered itself for service overseas on the outbreak of the First World War.

 

County affiliation	Company	Headquarters	Detachments
Dumfriesshire	A	Dumfries	Moniaive
Dumfriesshire	B	Annan	Langholm, Canonbie
Dumfriesshire	C	Lockerbie	Ecclefechan, Moffat
Dumfriesshire	D	Sanquhar	Thornhill, Kirkconnel
Kirkcudbrightshire	E	Maxwelltown
Kirkcudbrightshire	F	Dalbeattie
Kirkcudbrightshire	G	Castle Douglas	Corsock, Gatehouse, Kirkcudbright
Wigtownshire	H	Newton Stewart	Wigtown, Creetown, Kirkcowan, Whithorn, Garlieston

 

 

 

I believe this means that Peter Williamson was affiliated with the D Company at THORNHILL

 

 

 

[kenmorrison]

Have you tried contacting here?

http://www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk/kosb/

 

Ken

[wulliam]

John - that's very helpful indeed - I will follow it up this afternoon.

Ken - thank you; I'll email them this afternoon.

 

Kind regards,

William