Private, 24914, James Pirie Thorburn – Died of Wounds

‘D’ Company, 2nd South Wales Borderers, 7th May 1917

South Wales Borderers Cap Badge, similar to the one which would have been worn by James Thorburn.

Banffshire Herald dated 5 May 1917

The following is an extract from the Banffshire Herald dated the 5th May 1917 – Mr James Thorburn, Shoemaker, Banff, has received word that his son, Private James P. Thorburn, South Wales Borderers, has been severely wounded by gunshot. He has been for over a year at the front, and also served in Gallipoli.

Synopsis of Life

James Pirie Thorburn was born at Banff, Banffshire, Scotland about 1894. He was educated at Banff Academy.

He later enlisted at Crieff, Perthshire into the South Wales Borderers, serving in the 2nd Battalion, number 24914, having previously served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, number 54517. He initially served in the Balkans (2b) (Gallipoli) commencing 21 July 1915 before being transferred to France / Flanders.

He later received a gunshot wound which is believed to have occurred on 23 April 1917 and later died on 7 May 1917 within the 26th General Hospital, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France aged 24 years, and was buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

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The Headstone of James Pirie Thorburn. © Claude Laignel.

War Diary of the 2nd South Wales Borders

Extract from the above diary on the date which James is believed to have sustained his wound :-

MONCHY LE PREUX

23 April 1917

At 4.45 on the morning of the 23rd the Battalion went over the top and successfully captured the first line German Trench. A and B. Companies constructed strong points about 300 yards beyond the captured German positions. The covering barrage for the attack fell very short and caused a number of casualties to our own men. After the attack and during the consolidation, hostile sniping was very active. On this day the following officers were killed :- Capt. P.A. Hill, 2nd Lieutenant R. Phillips, 2nd Lieutenant B.L. Shaw. 2nd Lieutenant W.B. Nightingale died of wounds; 2nd Lieutenants D.J. Hopkins and J.E. Harries were wounded and missing, and believed died of wounds. Lieutenant Morgan Thomas, 2nd Lieutenant W.C. Beyond and 2nd Lieutenant H.Y.C. Clarke were wounded.

About mid-day, the enemy counterattacked but were easily dispersed.

Family

Private James Pirie Thorburn was born at Banff, Banffshire (now Aberdeenshire), Scotland about 1894.

In the 1901 Census and later in the C.W.G.C. documents his family was shown as:-

  • Wife: Margaret Patricia Ross or Thorburn
  • Father: James Thorburn, born c.1860 at Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire – Shoemaker.
  • Mother: Elizabeth Thorburn, born c.1855 at Leswalt, Wigtownshire.
  • Sister: Sarah J., born c.1885 at Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire.
  • Sister: Violet, born c.1853 at Banff, Banffshire.

Addresses

In the 1901 Census, the family is shown as residing at 57 Boyndie Street, Banff.

Following his death, the address of his wife was shown as Nurses Home, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh and also the village of Comrie, Perthshire.

Medals

Following his death, James Pirie Thorburn was awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal for his war service.

Memorials

He is remembered on the Banff War Memorial, Aberdeenshire.

A Panel of the Banff War Memorial with the name of James Thorburn – © Vincent Stuart.

Links to Additional Information

References

  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  • Medal Index Card
  • Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919
  • Register of Soldiers Effects (a)
  • Register of Soldiers Effects (b)
  • Medal Roll – South Wales Borderers – 1914-15 Star
  • Banffshire Herald dated 5th May 1917
  • Pension Ledger / Card
  • 1901 Census
  • Banff Academy Roll of Honour.

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Vincent Stuart.
  • Claude Laignel (Photo of Headstone).