A descendant of a fallen Dunfermline soldier who was killed in the first world war has managed to trace her family roots to him, thanks to The Courier.
Helen Gamble, of Fort Myers, Florida, said she was “delighted” to find out that she is the niece of the late Private William Stormonth, after a story was printed asking for relatives to get in touch in order for a Death Penny to be given to them.
The Death Penny was a bronze memorial given to the next of kin of men who were killed in the first world war. The penny, which bears the name of a William Stormonth, whose parents lived in the Dunfermline area, was recently given to Bert Elson of The Royal British Legion Thailand Branch.
Pte Stormonth, who was 20 when he died, was the son of Peter and Helen Gibbon Stormonth, of School House, Wellwood, Dunfermline.
More than 1.1 million Death Pennies were issued following the end of the first world war, and Mrs Gamble said she was able to trace her ancestry to Pte Stormonth through her cousin, Loraine Graham, of Perth.
Ms Graham had seen the article in The Courier and felt sure her family were related to Pte Stormonth.
Peter Stormonth was her uncle and she knew he emigrated to America.
She said, “His family were all brought up over there and they didn’t return to Scotland. I believe that it must be the same family as the dates tie in there are too many coincidences.”
Mrs Gamble contacted The Courier after being sent the articles by Ms Graham, and said she was “delighted” to find out what had happened to him.
“My father did speak of William but he got emotional when this happened,” she said. “He often said that he felt William died too young.
“It has been so exciting to be able to speak to you about my uncle’s history thank you so much for trying to find us.”
She continued, “I visited Scotland with my parents when I was 18 months old, but have not been back since. My father talked about his brother, William, quite often and was very sad that he died so young.
“My father was born in Glasgow, but the family moved to Dunfermline when he was quite young. Since my father was younger than his brother William, I am assuming that William was also born in Glasgow.
“Dad often spoke of William’s death during the war, but was never able to discuss the details as it was too difficult for him. I believe both William and my father, Peter Stormonth, were both in The Black Watch.”