David Davidson Clyne (1889 – 1917)

David Davidson Clyne was one of my Granny Duncan’s older brothers.

He was born on Christmas Day 1889 at Langness, Isle of Man while his father, Robert Clyne, was stationed at the lighthouse there. His middle name coming from his mother, Isabella’s, maiden name.

Dave was the middle of 7 children with sisters, Lottie, Annie and Mary older than him and brother Alec and sisters Mona (my Granny) and Lizzie younger.

Dave describes himself as a cabinetmaker to trade when he completed his Short Service Enlistment form. He served his apprenticeship with J. P. Grewar & Son in Arbroath, later working at the Porterfield Works in Renfrew. He was 25 years and 11 months old and was living in Calder Street, Glasgow with his sister, Mary, when he was called up having received a “Notice” and declaring that he understood its meaning. He signed up for the duration of the war.

On the descriptive report on Enlistment, he is recorded as being 5ft 10 ¼ inches tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He had a ganglion on the back of his left hand and “Slt VV Rt leg” which may mean slight varicose veins on his right leg?

Dave became a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving with the 146th Heavy Battery. He went overseas with the British Expeditionary Force in November 1916 and served in France and Flanders for ten months, manning heavy artillery in support of front-line operations.

On 25 September 1917, during the fighting near Ypres, Dave was struck by an enemy shell while manning his gun on the Menin Road. He died of his wounds a few hours later, unable to send any message home before he died.

He was buried close to where he fell, in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, near Ypres (now Ieper).

Dave had nominated his sister, Mary, as his dependent and she received all of his personal effects and a war Gratuity of £36.8.0. Somewhere I’m sure I was told that this money was used to buy a small cameo for each of his sisters.

This week Angus and I visited Dave’s grave at Menin Road South Cemetery. He is not forgotten.