Private James Galston

• 1st & 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers
• Died 17th September 1918, Age 27

Inscription

ERECTED BY GEORGE AND ELIZABETH HOUSTON
IN MEMORY OF
THEIR DAUGHTER MARY
WHO DIED 14TH OCTOBER 1900
AGED 8 YEARS
ALSO THEIR GRANDSON GEORGE
SON OF JAMES AND ELLEN GALSTON
DIED 26TH JUNE 1918 AGED 11 MONTHS
ALSO PTE JAMES GALSTON R.S.F.
WHO DIED OF WOUNDS IN FRANCE
17TH SEPT 1918 AGED 27 YEARS
ALSO THE ABOVE
ELIZABETH HOUSTON
WHO DIED 24TH NOV 1933
AGED 76 YEARS
ALSO THE ABOVE
GEORGE HOUSTON
WHO DIED 24TH JUNE 1937
AGED 78 YEARS

 

James Galston was born on the 2nd June 1891 at 35 Young Street, Glasgow the son of Andrew Galston, journeyman clogmaker and Mary Hudson. He was orphaned before his teenage years. The 1911 Census records show him boarding with Thomas Houston and his family at Pathhead, New Cumnock where he worked in the local colliery.

On the 18th October 1912 James married Ellen Hastings Houston, niece of Thomas Houston, and daughter of George Houston, coal miner and Elizabeth Maider.

Ellen was born on 1st March 1895 at Pathhead the daughter of George Houston, coal miner and Elizabeth Maider. At the time of her marriage she worked as a domestic servant at Southampton House, Pathhead.

Together James and Ellen had three children – Andrew (b. 1913) was born at Afton Cottages while Elizabeth (b.1914) was born at Pathhead. By this time Andrew Galston was serving as a Private in the 1/5 Royal Scots Fusiliers. In July 1917 a second son George was born at Burnbrae Cottage. Tragically young George died just before his 1st birthday and two months later Private James Galston died of his wounds while fighting in France.