Search for 'Death Penny' soldier's descendants

The search is on for descendants of a first world war soldier — believed to come from Dunfermline — whose next of kin received a memorial plaque in honour of him.

By Paul Reoch
Published in the Courier : 05.09.10
Published online : 05.09.10 @ 02.32pm

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The 'Death Penny' was a bronze memorial plaque given by the UK government to the next of kin of men killed in the 1914-18 conflict.

The plaque was given to Bert Elson, secretary/welfare chairman of The Royal British Legion, Thailand Branch, by a man clearing his house in Scotland.

He subsequently got in touch with Ian Andrews, of Montrose, who carries out research on local or 5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch, during the war, and also runs the website www.royalhighlanders.co.uk.

Mr Andrews contacted The Courier on Wednesday in a bid to track the descendants of the late soldier.

"The name on the plaque of the man killed is Private William Stormonth and there are only two First World War casualties from the Commonwealth forces with this name," he said.

"Both happen to be men who died while serving with The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who were from the Dunfermline and Montrose areas.

"My own experience in researching casualties from that war suggest that as the name on the memorial plaque has no middle initial, it is likely that the casualty is the man from Dunfermline.

"This is quite poignant with the run-up to Armistice Day on November 11 and could result in the item being restored to its rightful owner."

He added, "Bert Elson, secretary of one of the branches of the British Legion in Thailand, contacted me via the website regarding the item, which he wishes to return to an unknown family."

Mr Stewart said the details of Private Stormonth's death are contained in the official extract of the 9th Battalion, Black Watch, from August 23, 1917, which detail the battalion's attack on Gallipoli Farm, about three miles north of the village of Zonnebeke, Belgium

The extract reads, "Battalions in the front line were so mixed up that on the night of August 22, 1917, Brigadier-General Marshall (44th Infantry Brigade) sent the 9th Black Watch up to relieve the 7th Cameron (on the left of the brigade front).

"This move was completed by 10pm, when orders were received that two companies of The Black Watch were to attack Gallipoli Farm at 1.30am on August 23, 1917.

"There was little or no time for reconnaissance — the attack was made under the most adverse conditions, and it is not surprising that the battalion failed to gain its objective.

"All touch with flank battalions was lost, and barely 100 yards of ground was gained before the attack was brought to a standstill by intense fire from Hill 35.

"The ground gained, however, was at once consolidated and linked up with the original front line before dawn. In this somewhat hastily devised attack, the battalion lost Captain James Donaldson (age 39, son of Mr and Mrs Donaldson, of Arncroach, Fife, husband of Helen Donaldson, of 7 Briarwood Terrace, West Park Road, Dundee) and about 50 other ranks killed or wounded, a large total for such a small gain."