Records reveal the Scots who went to war

Records of births in 1914, marriages in 1939 and deaths in 1964 from the National Records of Scotland reveal details of Scots at the start of two World Wars

New online releases of births, marriages and deaths published today (1 January) by the National Records of Scotland reveal how patriotism gripped parents of babies in 1914, and how the outbreak of war in 1939 prompted couples to marry.

The final few months of 1914 witnessed a new fashion for naming boys Kitchener after Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War. Field Marshal Lord Kitchener’s face adorned the famous recruiting posters at the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914. He was responsible for increasing the British Army from six regular and fourteen divisions to seventy divisions by the creation of the ‘New Armies’ named after him.

Among the 123,394 births in 1914, record-keepers in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) found 21 boys given the first or middle name of Kitchener, including John Kitchener Hay, born 13 December 1914. His mother Beatrice registered her son’s birth, because her husband John was already in uniform as a lance sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

NRS have also identified three girls who were given Kitchener as a middle name; all were born in 1916, the year that Lord Kitchener perished when HMS Hampshire was sunk off Orkney. Between 1914 and 1918 a total of 73 Scottish children were named Kitchener, and 9 boys named Horatio Herbert, the Field Marshal’s first names. 43 boys were named Jellicoe during this period, after Admiral John Jellicoe, Commander of the Fleet and from 1916 First Sea Lord.

At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, there was a surge in the number of marriages in Scotland, as young couples rushed to wed before the men were posted overseas. There were 7,541 more marriages than in 1938. The total of 46,257 marriages came very close to the peak of 46,754 that occurred in the record-breaking year of 1920. This made 1939 the year with the second-highest number of marriages recorded to date in Scotland.

One couple tying the knot were Alexander Thomson Arundel, aged 21, lance corporal in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was based at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire, and Jane Fulton from Glasgow, a 19-year old who worked in a fruit shop. He survived the war and died in 1973.

Some well-known Scots born in 1914 include Gavin Maxwell (1914-1969), naturalist and author of Ring of Bright Water, who was born on 15 July 1914 at House of Elrig, Mochrum, Wigtownshire. Norman McLaren (1914-1987), documentary film-maker, was born William Norman McLaren, on 11 April 1914 at 21 Albert Place Stirling, the son of William McLaren, a master housepainter. He went on to become an award winning film-maker who made films for the GPO film unit, the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation and the National Film Board of Canada. Not among the release of 1914 births is Tom Weir (1914-2006), the climber and broadcaster, whose birth on 29 December 1914 was not registered until January 1915.

Tim Ellis, Registrar General and Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said: “We know that the latest additions to our online resources on ScotlandsPeople will be very useful for family history and other researchers, particularly as the registers for 1914 contain information about Scots at the start of the First World War”.

New Year … and the gloves are off already

2015 is a General Election year and the Westminster parties are off to a flying start – David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have all issued New Year messages to kick off their campaigns.

In a video message, Prime Minister David Cameron insists the government’s economic plan is working and said Britain faces a choice between ‘competence and chaos’.

Ed Miliband, however, says people he has spoken to all across the country are desperate for change and he has promised an economic recovery that reaches people’s “kitchen table” if he becomes Prime Minister in May.

And Nick Clegg’s getting in on the act too …

Never mind, only five more months campaigning to go until the election … Happy New Year!

Two face court following Ferry Road drugs raid

Two people have been charged after £3,000 of the drug diamorphine was found at a flat on Ferry Road.

Police carried out an intelligence-led search of the address on Tuesday and seized diamorphine and diazepam tablets along with other various items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also found £910 at the property.

A 32-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

First Minister’s New Year message

Nicola Sturgeon highlights priorities for coming year

Speaking from the maternity unit at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The staff who work here are just some of the tens of thousands across our National Health Service who give up time with their loved ones over Christmas and New Year to care for the rest of us.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of them and to the many others who work so hard, not just over the festive period, but all year round to provide us with the best possible care.

“The terrible events in Glasgow last week reminded us again of how much we owe our emergency services. Day in, day out, our police, ambulance and fire services go beyond the call of duty to look after us.

“Our thoughts and prayers today remain with the bereaved and all those affected by last week’s tragedy; and our heartfelt thanks go to those who are rallying round to provide them with love and support.

“As we look forward to a new year, it is worth thinking about the babies in this maternity ward – and about the sort of country we want them to grow up in.

“These young children are lucky to have been born into an NHS that is free at the point of need.

“Your Scottish Government – a government that I am now proud to lead – is determined to protect that principle, and we will work every day to support and improve our public national health service.

“As the boys and girls here grow up, we also want them to benefit from high quality pre-school care. That’s why in 2015, we will significantly expand childcare for two year olds – and move forward with our even more ambitious plans for the future.

“And as these babies become young adults, we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in whatever career they choose.

“I am proud that this government restored the principle of free higher education – a principle I benefitted from as a young girl.

“Now I am determined that we will step up our work to close the attainment gap between schools in different parts of Scotland, so that more young people can take advantage of that free education.

“We will also continue to support a record number of modern apprenticeships, to give our young people the skills they need and help our businesses to innovate, export and expand.

“And we will strive to create opportunities for all. The baby girls in this maternity unit deserve the same chances in life as the baby boys – the chance to succeed in fields like science and engineering, and to become senior managers, board members, even First Ministers.

“The simple fact is that if we can give every child here a fair chance to fulfil their potential, we will build a stronger, happier and more successful country.

“Doing everything I can to make that a reality is my New Year resolution and it is one my government – in partnership with many across our country – will be focussed on throughout next year.

“Despite the great sadness of recent days, there is no doubt that 2014 has been the most extraordinary year for our country. Our economy has grown and unemployment has fallen. We hosted a hugely successful Ryder Cup, and staged the best ever Commonwealth Games.

“And we had a referendum recognised around the world as a shining example of democratic engagement. A referendum that – regardless of which way you voted – empowered all of us in this country like never before.

“As the bells chime on Hogmanay, I hope that the spirit of empowerment that so lit up 2014, will guide us into the New Year. Let’s resolve not to slip back to business as usual.

“Instead, let us harness the wonderful enthusiasm and engagement of 2014 and use it to build a fairer and more prosperous Scotland for these babies to grow up in.

“Wherever you are, in Scotland or around the world; at home with family and friends, or at work – let me wish each and every one of you all the very best for a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015.”