Larkhall War Memorial - McLAUGHLIN, John DCM

John McLAUGHLIN, D.C.M.,

Sergeant 17406

2nd Battalion

King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSBs)

Cap Badge of the King's Own Scottish Borderers

His parents were Francis McLaughlin, a Coal Miner, and Mary Connachan, who were married at Larkhall on 30th June, 1893. At the time of their wedding Francis McLaughlin was residing at Raploch Street, and Mary Connachan was residing at 81 Meadowhill, both in Larkhall.
His paternal grandparents were Michael McLaughlin, a Shoemaker, and Jane Connor.
His maternal grandparents were John Connachan, a Coal Miner, and Mary Ann Smith.

JOHN CONNACHAN McLAUGHLIN, D.C.M., was born at 104 Meadowhill, Larkhall, on 1st February, 1896.

The 1901 LARKHALL Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 146 Meadowhill Rows, Larkhall, as follows:
Francis McLaughlin, age 30, Head, Coal Miner, b Hamilton.
Mary McLaughlin, age 28, Wife, b Coatbridge.
Elizabeth C. McLaughlin, age 9, Daughter, Scholar, b Coatbridge.
JOHN C. McLAUGHLIN, age 5, Son, b Larkhall.
Mary J. N. McLaughlin, age 3, Daughter, b Hamilton.
James McLaughlin, age 1, Son, B Larkhall.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 136 Meadowhill Rows, Larkhall, as follows:
Francis McLaughlin, age 40, Head, Coal Miner, b Hamilton.
Mary McLaughlin, age 38, Wife, b Coatbridge.
JOHN C. McLAUGHLIN, age 15, Son, Coal Miner, b Larkhall.
Mary Jane McLaughlin, age 13, Daughter, Scholar, b Hamilton.
James McLaughlin, age 11, Son, Scholar, B Larkhall.
Hellen McLaughlin, age 9, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall.

JOHN McLAUGHLIN, D.C.M., joined the K.O.S.Bs as Pte 17406, and went to France on 22nd April, 1915.
The MIC shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.
The MIC shows that he was also awarded The Silver War Badge, indicating that he was wounded and unable to continue to serve. The MIC shows that he was Discharged on 28th February, 1918 (probably as a result of his injuries).

A newspaper clipping from The Daily Record, dated 9th April, 1917, reads:
"Sergt. John McLoughlin [sic], Scottish Borderers, who has been awarded the D.C.M., is the son of Mrs. McLoughlin (sic), and is 21 years of age. He is the third Larkhall soldier to gain the honour, and before the war he was employed in No. 4 Bellfield Colliery, Coalburn".

Walter Smith sent me a clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 14th April, 1917.
It reads:
"D.C.M. for Local Soldier - Mrs McLaughlin, 136 Meadowhill, Larkhall, has received official notice from her son, Sergeant John McLaughlin, K.O.S.B., that he has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sergeant McLaughlin, who is a bomber, led a bombing raid on 15th January, and captured nine of the enemy. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, and was employed at No. 4 Bellfield Colliery, Coalburn, before joining His Majesty's Forces. Sergt. McLaughlin has been two years at the front, and has been through some severe fighting. This is the third D.C.M. honour that has come to the town."

The London Gazette No 30023 of 17 April, 1917, page No 3693, (attached) shows:
17406 Cpl. J. McLaughlin, K.O. Sco. Bord.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy's trenches and set a splendid example throughout the raid. He has on many previous occasions done fine work".

The above posting is repeated:

The Edinburgh Gazette No 13079 of 17 April, 1917, page No 745, (attached).

A newspaper clipping from The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 23rd June, 1917, reads:
"HONOURING A D.C.M.
On Wednesday evening, a very enthusiastic meeting was held in the Drill Hall, Victoria Street, to do honour to another D.C.M. hero in the person of Sergt. John McLaughlin, K.O.S.B., who was home on short leave. Mr R. Lambie, C.C., J.P., presided, and in opening the meeting expressed his pleasure at the large attendance, despite the hurried nature of the call of the meeting. This was the third D.C.M. honour to come to Larkhall, and they were all proud of the fact that a citizen of Meadowhill had been thus honoured. Some places were not recognising recipients of honours at all, but the Recruiting Committee made the D.C.M. their basis, and it did not matter from which district of the town they came, they would all be honoured in like fashion. He then called upon Mr John McLuckie to make the presentation. In doing so, that gentleman referred in glowing terms to the work performed by the gallant Sergeant at the front. The mark of special favour he had earned was for work of a heroic nature, and they were all proud of the fact that another had come to the town through the rank and file. Sergt. McLaughlin enlisted in the K.O.S.B. in December, 1914, was raised to Lance-Corpl. early in 1916, and in August of the same year raised to full Corporal, and just before he received the D.C.M. was raised to the rank of Sergeant, all of which went to show that their friend was not afraid of hard work. This crowning event he had achieved and brought honour to his native town. The committee had thought it right that their friend should be thus honoured, and in honouring him they were thus honouring themselves. The inhabitants had spontaneously come to their assistance, and they were able to recognise the work of Sergt. McLaughlan (sic) in a worthy manner. He, therefore, on behalf of the inhabitants of Larkhall, had much pleasure in handing over a beautiful gold watch, suitably inscribed, and with the crest of the K.O.S.B., to mark their appreciation of his meritorious work and the gaining of the D.C.M. (Applause).
Sergt McLaughlan (sic) made a suitable reply, thanking all for their kindness, and more especially the Recruiting Committee for their endevours to recognise his little effort. He just asked them all to remember the boys at the front. (Applause)
Mr Wm. Gallacher also addressed the meeting, and said that the actions of every man at the front were worthy of all praise, and everyone was a hero, because of the intensity of the fighting under present conditions. The especial recognition of Sergt. McLachlan (sic) must have been for something of a very daring and hazardous nature, and all the more honour to him that he was able to accomplish so much. (Applause)
Mr J. A. Beattie, C.C., secretary to the Recruiting Committee, then gave a short address, and apologised to those present at not seeing such a large turnout, but the fact of the merchants' monthly holiday being on and the short notice of the visit of the Sergeant made them get through their arrangements hurriedly. He was highly pleased that another honour had come to the town and to a lad from the Meadowhill district.He wished Sergt. McLachlan (sic) every success in the future, and a safe return to his native town. The Sergeant also received script for the balance of the money which would be invested in the War Loan, and arrangements would be made accordingly.
Songs interspersed the proceedings, sustained by Miss McLachlan, Miss Scanlan, Mrs Robert Preston, Mrs Whip, Mr Sam Hunter, and Mr Craig, and the usual thanks brought a successful meeting to a close."

A newspaper clipping from The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 6th April, 1918, reads:
"PRESENTATION TO A D.C.M. - On Friday evening last, Sergt. McLachlan (sic), K.O.S.B., and one of Larkhall's D.C.M.'s, was waited upon at his residence, Meadowhill, Larkhall, by Col. Farquharson, officer in charge Records No 2 District, Hamilton, and decorated with the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was awarded him for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy trenches. He himself killed several Germans, and set a splendid example throughout the raid. Owing to the serious condition of health of Sergt. McLachlan (sic), only Rev. Father Steven and Colonel Farquharson were admitted to the bedside, where the medal was pinned on his breast. The party also included County Councillors Lambie and Beattie and Parish Councillor Colin Campbell, who remained outside. Sergt. McLachlan (sic) won the medal in January, 1917, and in the month of June following he was presented with a gold watch and a sum of money from the townspeople as a mark of appreciation and esteem in gaining the coveted honour, and bringing distinction to the town."

On 5th December, 1923, JOHN CONNACHAN McLAUGHLIN, D.C.M., then age 27, an Army Pensioner of 60 Quarry Street, Wishaw, married Jane Black, then age 22, at Wishaw.

Lest We Forget!

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC shows that he was also awarded The Silver War Badge, indicating that he was wounded and unable to continue to serve. The MIC shows that he was Discharged on 28th February, 1918.