Adam WEIR, D.C.M., M.M.,

Lance Corporal 352979

12th Battalion

The Royal Scots

He formerly served as

Private 787,

Lanarkshire Yeomanry

and

Private 6867,

4th Battalion

The Royal Scots.

Cap Badge of The Royal Scots

Cap Badge of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry

Family gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery.

In Loving Memory

of

ADAM WEIR

who died 24th June 1953

also

ELIZABETH McCALLUM

dearly beloved

wife of the above

who died 14th Sept 1974

At Rest

He formerly served as Pte 787, Lanarkshire Yeomanry and Private 6867, 4th Bn The Royal Scots.

His parents were James Weir, a Coal Miner, and Catherine Knox, who were married at Larkhall on 21st June, 1889. At the time of their marriage, James Weir was 30 years of age and was resided at Woodside, Dalserf; Catherine Knox was 22 years of age and resided at John Street, Larkhall
His paternal grandparents were Adam Weir, a Coal Miner, and Marion Anderson.
His maternal grandparents were John Knox, a Coal Miner, and Jeanie McMaster.

ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, was born at Woodside, Dalserf, on 15th February, 1892.

On 30th May, 1897, his paternal grand-mother, Marion Anderson or Weir, age 62, died at Woodside, Dalserf. The cause of death was Heart Failure.

The 1901 LARKHALL Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 30 John Street, Larkhall, as follows:
James Weir, age 42, Head, Coal Miner, b Stevenston,Ayrshire.
Catherine Weir, age 34, Wife, b Larkhall.
Marion Weir, age 10, Daughter, Scholar, b America.
ADAM WEIR, age 9, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
Catherine Weir, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Dalserf.
Elizabeth Weir, age 5, Daughter, Scholar, b Hamilton.
Alice Weir, age 3, Daughter, b Larkhall.
Robert Weir, age 7 months, Son, b Larkhall.

On 14th October, 1901, his father James Weir, age 42, died at Middle Ward Hospital, Dalziel. The cause of death was Enteric Fever and Pneumonia. His 'Usual Residence; was 30 John Street, Larkhall.

On 6th May, 1902, his paternal grandfather Adam Weir, age 69, widower of Marion Anderson, died at 53 Miller Street, Larkhall. The cause of death was Bronchitis and Senility.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 13 Gallowhill, Larkhall, as follows:
Catherine Weir, age 43, Head, Widow, School Cleaner, b Larkhall.
ADAM WEIR, age 19, Son, Coal Miner, b Dalserf.
Alice Weir, age 13, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Robert Weir, age 10, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall.

ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, enlisted on 9th September, 1914, and went to Gallipoli (Dardanelles) and Aegean Islands on 27th September, 1915.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

He is also listed on the Medal Rolls for the award of The Military Medal and The Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The London Gazette No 30135 of 15 June, 1917, page No 6025, shows the award of The Military Medal:
352979 Pte. A. Weir, R. Scots.
The above posting is repeated in The Edinburgh Gazette No 13105 of 19 June, 1917, page No 1211.

ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his left forearm on 30th March, 1918, for which he later received an Army Pension.

The London Gazette No 30879 of 30 August, 1918, page No 10359, shows:
352979 L/Cpl. A. Weir, MM, R. Scots. (Larkhall)
The Citation reads:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a Lewis gun section. After all members of his team had become casualties, he carried the gun forward into action himself and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. At another time, when units had become mixed, he reorganised a section and directed heavy fire on the enemy. Throughout he showed fine courage".
The above posting is repeated in The Edinburgh Gazette No 13316 of 3 September, 1918, page No 3167.

Walter Smith sent me a clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 21st September, 1918.
It reads:
"ANOTHER LARKHALL SOLDIER WINS THE D.C.M.
- The Distinguished Conduct Medal has been awarded to L-Corpl. A. Weir, M.M., Royal Scots, Larkhall, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a Lewis gun section. After all members of his team had become casualties, he carried the gun forward into action himself and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. At another time, when units had become mixed, he reorganised a section and directed heavy fire on the enemy. Thoughout he showed fine courage."

ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, was discharged from the Army on 21st February, 1919.

On 15th July, 1921, ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, then age 29 of 13 Gallowhill, Larkhall, married Lizzie McCallum, age 24 of Mansefield Place, Rigside, Douglas, at The Church Manse, Douglas.

In The Scotsman newspaper, dated 19th July, 1919, page 1, the attached newspaper clipping names 'Corpl Wm Hill; Sergt Robert Lee; Corpl David Robertson Reid; and Corpl Adam Weir' who were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.).
It reads:
"The Executive Committee of the Larkhall War Committee met in the Drill Hall, Larkhall, last night to honour recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. County Councillor Lambie, J.P., presided, and presented gold watches and alberts with sums of money to Corpl. Wm. Hill, 5/6th Scottish Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and in bringing down an enemy aeroplane; Sergt. Robert Lee, 12th R.S.F., for capturing two machine guns and 17 prisoners on 2nd November last; Corpl. David Robertson Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in outflanking two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance; and Corpl. Adam Weir, 9th S.R., who held up the enemy on our retirement in March, 1918, and inflicted many casualtes on them with his machine gun. All the recipients received the present in person except Corpl. Hill, who was killed on 24th October, 1918. His father received the gifts instead".

ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, died on 24th June, 1953, and is buried in Larkhall Cemetery.
His wife Elizabeth died on 14th September, 1974, is buried with her husband.

Lest We Forget!

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for ADAM WEIR, DCM, MM, shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

Medal Roll Index card (MIC) for the award of The Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Citation for the award of The Distinguished Conduct Medal.

3 pages London Gazette No 30,135

3 pages London Gazette No 30,879

Newspaper clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 21st September, 1918.

Newspaper clipping taken from The Scotsman newspaper, page 1, 19th July, 1919.