Private Joshua Mathieson

11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Died 15th September 1916, Age 18

Private Thomas Mathieson

9th King’s Own Scottish Borderers Died 19th November 1917, Age 24

Inscription

ERECTED BY ROBERT MATHESON IN MEMORY OF HIS DAUGHTER MARY WHO DIED 13TH DEC 1882 AGED 7 YEARS THE ABOVE ROBERT MATHESON WHO DIED AT KIRKCONNEL, 1ST JUNE 1909 AGED 57 YEARS SARAH REID BELOVED WIFE OF ROBERT MATHIESON WHO DIED 21ST APRIL 1915, AGED 58 YEARS ALSO THEIR SON JOSHUA KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 15TH SEPT 1916 AGED 18 YEARS ALSO THEIR SON THOMAS DIED IN WESTERN INFIRMARY GLASGOW 19TH NOVR 1917, AGED 24 YEARS

Note Surname is Mathieson although it also appears as Matheson the headstone

PTE. JOSHUA MATHIESON (killed in action 15.09.1916)

Information has been received in Kirkconnel that Private Joshua Mathieson, Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, has been killed in action. The news was sent by John Cowan, another Kirkconnel lad with R.A.M.C. Private Mathieson was a son of the late Robert Mathieson draper, and was held in high esteem in Kirkconnel. He was 19 years old of age, and before enlisting was engaged as a clerk at Fauldhead Colliery

Dumfries & Galloway Saturday Standard, September 30, 1916

Memorial Service at Kirkconnel, Rev. C. Forbes Charleson

PTE. THOMAS MATHIESON (died 19th Nov. 1917)

On Thursday afternoon the remains of Thomas Mathieson, son of the late Robert Mathieson, draper Kirkconnel, were interred in New Cumnock churchyard with military honours. Deceased was in local Territorials when war broke out, and was mobilised in August 1914. After a spell of training he was dsicharged invalided, and resumed his work at the colliery. Since then he has never been in robust health, and last week he was taken to hospital in Glasgow where he expired, 13th November 1917.

His remains were brought to Kirkconneland the funeral took place on Thursday. Accompanied by the local Volunteer company, fully 70 strong, under Captain Samson and Lieutenants W.Forsyth and A. Wilson and headed by the united pipe bands of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel detachments, the cortege proceeded from his residence to Kirkconnel station.

On arrival at New Cumnock the procession was re-formed and marched to the churchyard, where the internment took place in the family burial ground. The firing party was in the charge of Corporal Saddler. After three volleys had been fired, the pipes played a lament. The Rev. C. Forbes Charleson conduccted a most impressive service at the grave. Large crowds of sympathetic spectators lined the route, both in Kirkconnel and New Cumnock. Deceased was 24 years of age. A younger brother was killed in action.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard 24th November 1917]

Both Joshua and Thomas Mathieson are remembered on the Kirkconnel War Memorial and on a Memorial Plaque in St. Conal’s Church.