MUNGO DYMOCK, Private 5366, 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders

Gravestone in NETLEY MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire, England.

MUNGO DYMOCK, Private 5366, 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial. He is listed on Motherwell War Memorial (see attached). His connection to Larkhall is his wife Elizabeth Davidson, and their children.

MUNGO DYMOCK was born at 10 Anderson Street, Coltness, Wishaw, Parish of Cambusnethan, on 1st May, 1880.

His parents were Thomas Dymock, a Master Joiner, and Christina Dalziel, who were married at Muirhousedykes Farm, West Calder, on 23rd December, 1875.
His paternal grandparents were Thomas Dymock, a Farm Grieve, and Janet Brown.
His maternal grandparents were William Dalziel, a Farmer, and Mary Steele.

The 1881 COLTNESS, WISHAW, Census was taken on 4th April, 1881.
The family are listed at 10 Anderson Street, Coltness, Wishaw, as follows:
Thomas Dymock, age 30, Head, Master Joiner, b Liberton, Lanarkshire.
Christina Dymock, age 29, Wife, b West Calder.
Thomas Dymock, age 4, Son, b West Calder.
William Dymock, age 2, Son, b Cambusnethan.
MUNGO DYMOCK, age 11 months, Son, b Cambusnethan.
Agnes Young, age 16, Domestic Servant, b Hamilton.

His mother, Christina Dymock, age 37, died on 6th December, 1888, at 16 Albert Street, Motherwell. The cause of death is shown as Anaemia.

The 1891 MOTHERWELL Census was taken on 5th April, 1891.
The family are listed at Calder Street, Motherwell, as follows:
Thomas Dymock, age 40, Head, Widower, Joiner, b Liberton, Lanarkshire.
Thomas Dymock, age 14, Son, Scholar, b West Calder.
William Dymock, age 12, Son, Scholer, b Cambusnethan.
MUNGO DYMOCK, age 10, Son, Scholar, b Cambusnethan.
John Dymock, age 3, Son, b Motherwell.
Lizzie Craig, age 32, Servant, Housekeeper, b Stonehouse.

The 1891 WEST CALDER census lists other siblings living with their grandmother at Muirhousedykes Farm, West Calder, as follows:
Mary Dalziel, age 77, Head, Widow, b Lesmahagow.
Isabella Dalziel, age 44, Daughter, Dairymaid, b West Calder.
William Dalziel, age 42, Son, Farmer, b West Calder.
Alexander Dymock, age 8, Grandson, Scholar, b Cambusnethan.
James Dymock, age 6, Grandson, Scholar, b Cambusnethan.
Mary Dymock, age 4, Grand-Daughter, b Motherwell.

His father remarried.
On 24th December, 1891, Thomas Dymock, age 41, a Widower and Journeyman Joiner, of Calder Street, Motherwell, married Lizzie Craig, age 33, a Spinster and Housekeeper, of Calder Street, Motherwell, at 66 Merry Street, Motherwell.

The 1901 MOTHERWELL Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 26 Calder Street, Motherwell, as follows:
Thomas Dymock, age 50, Head, Clerk of Works, b Liberton, Lanarkshire.
Elizabeth Dymock, age 42, Wife, b Stonehouse.
Thomas Dymock, age 24, Son, Law Clerk, b West Calder.
William Dymock, age 22, Son, Architect's Apprentice, b Cambusnethan.
James Dymock, age 16, Son, Joiner's Apprentice, b West Calder.
John Dymock, age 13, Son, Scholar, b Motherwell.
Robert Dymock, age 8, Son, Scholar, b Motherwell.
George Dymock, age 5, Son, Scholar, b Motherwell.
Maggie L. Craig, age 15, Step-Daughter, Dressmaker, b Motherwell.

I am unable to find MUNGO DYMOCK in the 1901 Census.

On 17th December, 1909, MUNGO DYMOCK, age 29, a Journeyman Joiner, of 63 Merry Street, Motherwell, married Elizabeth Davidson, age 30, a Spinster, of Sandford Cottage (Muir Street), Larkhall, at Sandford Cottage, Larkhall.

A daughter, Elizabeth Craig Dymock, was born on 4th April, 1910, at 31 Airbles Road, Motherwell.

The 1911 MOTHERWELL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 31 Airbles Road, Motherwell, as follows:
MUNGO DYMOCK, age 30, Head, House Joiner, b Cambusnethan.
Elizabeth Dymock, age 32, Wife, b Larkhall.
Elizabeth Dymock, age 11 months, Daughter, b Motherwell.

A daughter, Christina Dalziel Dymock, was born on 5th November, 1911, at 31 Airbles Road, Motherwell.

On 18th November, 1918, his daughter Elizabeth Dymock, age 8, died at Sandford Cottage, Muir Street, Larkhall. The cause of death is shown as Acute Meningitis.

MUNGO DYMOCK joined the Cameron Highlanders as Private 5366, and went to France on 14th August, 1914.
[The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was mobilised on 4th August, 1914. This indicates that MUNGO DYMOCK was already a trained soldier, and may explain why I cannot find him in the 1911 Census.]

MUNGO DYMOCK 'Died of Wounds' aboard Ambulance Ship St Andrew on 20th November, 1914, age 34.
[He was being evacuated back to the UK. See Newspaper Clippings below.]

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for MUNGO DYMOCK shows that he is buried at NETLEY MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire, England. There are 750 identified casualties buried at NETLEY MILITARY CEMETERY.

MUNGO DYMOCK is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that MUNGO DYMOCK was born in Cambusnethan, lived in Motherwell, and enlisted in Sunderland, Durham.
[Note that this record erroneously shows his name as "Charles Dymock".]

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for MUNGO DYMOCK shows that he was awarded The 1914 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC is dated 14th August, 1914, and shows that he went to France on that date.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his widow Elizabeth Davidson Dymock received his Outstanding Pay of £5/5/6 and a War Gratuity of £5/-/-.
[Note that this record erroneously shows his name as "Charles Dymock".]

I found 8 newspaper clippings regarding MUNGO DYMOCK.
They are:
A clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 31st October, 1914, page 6, reads:
"MOTHERWELL MAN'S EXPERIENCES ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
CAPTURING GERMANS.
An interesting letter has just been received from Private Mungo Dymock, of the Cameron Highlandes. Private Dymock, a son of Mr Thomas Dymock, Master of Works for the Burgh, in writing to a friend gives a graphic account of his work in the trenches at the Battle of the Rivers:-
'Aisne River, 13th October, 1914 - Dear Bill, Just a few lines to let you know that I am keeping well. I intended writing you long before now, but twixt the excitement and running about for cover one is very apt to forget. I sent you a P.C. already; did you get it? I am sorry we're not allowed to tell tales out of school, but I expect you will know by this time that we hold the trump card. You'll be thinking we're pretty long in playing it, but we must mow the Germans down gradually, and they are going down every night to some tune. Their troops have really got the wind-up, Bill. They won't face up through the day, but we're always sure of a call at night. Do you know why they put blinders on a young horse? Well I think the same reason applies to them - so that they may not see too much. That's about the only way I can put it. We took a lot of them prisoners a while ago in a wood, and you ought to have seen them surrendering - big sods about six feet going down on their knees and asking for mercy. We had rather a good laugh at this same place. Some went down on their knees and were shouting "Cam-er-a" or something like that. Of course, they were meaning "comrade", but one Highland chap, who was along with us, asked - "How the dickens does he know we're Camerons?". I tell you, we enjoyed a good laugh at it. If I do get out of this Bill, I think I will be humphy-backed, as it is trenches every day and night - you know, on your hands and knees and ducking your nut. The wife sends me the "Hamilton Advertiser" every week, and I noticed where Lord Hamilton was giving a great spit out. I didn't know his brother was commanding the Coldstream Guards. We were scrapping along with them and the Black Watch when we took this position, and I must say it cost us pretty dearly. If I had known he was in charge I might have taken time and had a look how he was conducting himself. I am sorry that this is such an empty letter, but when you have to curtail things as regarding the fighting, it doesn't leave you much else to dwell on. I will close now, hoping this finds you in the best of health as it leaves me the same. - Your sincere friend, MUNGO DYMOCK'".

A clipping taken from The Motherwell Times, dated 20th November, 1914, page 5, reads:
"MORE MOTHERWELLITES WOUNDED.
Several additions to the list of Motherwell men wounded in action fall to be made this week.
<snip>
Intimation has also been made that rivate Mungo Dymock and Lance-Corpl. Joseph Smith, of the Cameron Highlanders, have been wounded. Both resided in Airbles Street".

A clipping taken from The Edinburgh Evening News, dated 21st November, 1914, page 5, reads:
"WEST CALDER CAMERON KILLED.
Official information reached West Calder today that Private Mungo Dymock, of the Cameron Highlanders, had been killed. He was struck by a shell, and succumbed to his wounds".

A clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 21st November, 1914, page 6, reads:
"THE TOLL OF WAR - The toll of war, so far as Motherwell men are concerned, is exceptionally heavy this week, no fewer that twelve cases having been reported.
<snip>
The men who have been wounded in action are:-
<snip>
Private Mungo Dymock, Cameron Highlanders (an interesting letter from whoom appeared in the "Hamilton Advertiser" a fortnight ago), Airbles Street;
<snip>".

A clipping taken from The Motherwell Times, dated 27th November, 1914, page 4, reads:
"DEATHS.
<snip>
DYMOCK - On board the ambulance ship "St Andrew" at Southampton, on the 20th inst., from wounds sustained in action on the 11th inst., while serving with the British Expeditionary Force, Mungo Dymock, of the Cameron Highlanders, and 31 Airbles Street, Motherwell, beloved husband of Elizabeth Davidson.".

A clipping taken from The Motherwell Times, dated 27th November, 1914, page 5, reads:
"WOUNDED SOLDIER SUCCUMBS.
As briefly reported in our issue last week, Private Mungo Dymock, of the Cameron Highlanders, was wounded in an engagement on the 11th inst. This week we regret to announce that Private Dymock has since died of his wounds. Notice of the sad event will be found in our obituary column, from which it will be seen that he died on board the ambulance ship at Southampton on Friday last. He was buried in the South of England. Wounded at Ypres, he lay for some hours between the firing lines, but afterwards was able to crawl into a wood. Here he was picked up, weak from loss of blood, and conveyed to hospital. He resided at Airbles Street, Motherwell, and leaves a widow and three children".

A clipping taken from The Motherwell Times, dated 4th December, 1914, page 6, reads:
"TOWN COUNCILL MEETING.
The usual monthly meeting of the Town Council was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Provost Wilson presided, ...
<snip>
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
The Provost said he regretted to say that at this meeting they had still further names of citizens to add to the roll of honour. At the last meeting six names were mentioned, and that night four more names fell to be added. These were:-
John Andrew Dunnery, Private C. McPherson, Sergeant Joseph Smith, and Private Mungo Dymock.
These men had given their lives for King and country, and he moved that their names be inserted in the minutes, and added to the roll of honour.
Bailie McKendrick formally seconded".

A clipping taken from The Linlithgowshire Gazette, dated 11th December, 1914, page 3, reads:
"BATHGATE.
A CAMERON HIGHLANDER'S DEATH.
Thomas Dymock, burgh surveyor, Motherwell, writing to his sister, Mrs Stein, High Street, gives an account of his visit to Netley Hospital, where he journeyed last week to attend the burial of his son, Private Mungo Dymock, Cameron Highlanders, who died there from the effects of shrapnel wounds he received at the front. Mr Dymock says he returned from Southampton after paying his last respects to poor Mungo, after his 3 1/2 months' strenuous work. He was wounde dabout the head,left leg and arm. They were doing all they could in the hospital for the wounded, and every soldier who died from the effects of wounds had his own lair, and numbered, so it can be know at any time, as no others are put in the same grave. Netley Cemetery is in connection with the military hospital there, and the latter is a huge place. At present it is almost filled with wounded Indians, hundreds walking about the grounds, as they are almost all wounded in the left arm. The railway runs into the back of the hospital for trains conveying the wounded. One arrived there when the writer of the letter was leaving. Again, in front of the sea, where there is a pier, so that the wounded can be taken from the ships as well. The Briitsh in the hospital are being gradually removed, so that in a short time nothing but Indians will be in it. Probably this is owing to the mildness of the climate there.
Private Dymock, whose death is here referred to, is a brother of Mr A. Dymock, Muirhousedykes, and a nephew of Parish Councillor Alex. Dalziel, Stoneyburn".

On 16th July, 1917, his daughter Christina Dalziel Dymock, age 25, a Shorthand Typist, of Sandford Cottage, 63 Muir Street, Larkhall, married George Wotherspoon Sneddon, age 30, a Journeyman Joiner, of 90 McNeill Street, Larkhall, at the Trinity Church, Larkhall.

His widow Elizabeth Dymock, age 83, died on 27th July, 1961, at 61 Muir Street, Larkhall.
The cause of death is shown as Cardiac Failure.

[Please note:
His brother JOHN DALZIEL DYMOCK, Private 17389, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly 5620, Seaforth Highlanders, was 'Presumed Dead on or since' 3rd May, 1917. His remains were never recovered and he is commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
His brother WILLIAM DALZIEL DYMOCK, Driver 179 and 412190, 1st Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers, went to France on 15th February, 1915. He was wounded in action. He survived and was discharged on 8th October, 1917, as no longer physically fit for War Service.]

Lest We Forget!

Panel on Motherwell War Memorial.

MUNGO DYMOCK, is listed here under the Cameron Highlanders.

His brother JOHN D DYMOCK, is also listed here under the Machine Gun Corps.

Images of Ambulance Ship "St Andrew".

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) showing the award of The 1914 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. He was also award a Clasp.

Medal Roll showing the award of The 1914 Star Medal.

Medal Roll showing the award of The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

Entry in the Soldiers Who Died in the Great War.

Entry in the Soldier's Effects records.

The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 31st October, 1914, page 6.

The Motherwell Times, dated 20th November, 1914, page 5.

The Edinburgh Evening News, dated 21st November, 1914, page 5.

The Hamilton Advertiser, dated 21st November, 1914, page 6.

The Motherwell Times, dated 27th November, 1914, page 4.

The Motherwell Times, dated 27th November, 1914, page 5.

The Motherwell Times, dated 4th December, 1914, page 6.

The Linlithgowshire Gazette, dated 11th December, 1914, page 3.