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2024 Week 17: War #52Ancestorsin52Weeks

Many people come from families with a long tradition of serving in the Armed Forces, others find their family only serving in times of war. Neither of my parents, nor any of my grandparents served in the forces. During WW1, both my grandfathers were 'too old' and both in "reserved occupations". These were jobs which exempted you from serving in the military as they were seen as being vital for the defence and smooth running of the country. John McAra as a miner and John Anderson as a metal and steelworker fell under this banner. 

During WW2 my own dad was also in a reserved occupation , being a civil engineer. This job took him away from his native Lanarkshire and as such he spent some time during the war living down in Hayes, Middlesex and in Wrexham in Wales. While there however, he did serve in the Home Guard - I vaguely remember him mentioning some of his duties included ensuring people got safely into air raid shelters, but I am sure there was more to it than that. Yet another item on my list of things I should have asked him or my mum while they was still alive!

I only have a couple of photos of close family members in uniform. My dad's older brother Lamond, who may have served in WW1. I have tried to find out about the uniform he is wearing but have not found out anything.

Lamond McAra (1895-1934)

My mother's younger sister, Ann Anderson, was a driver in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during WW2. Women like her were doing many of the same jobs the men were doing, but for only 2/3 of the pay. 

Ann Anderson 1919-2002)

I have to go really deep into my tree to find direct ancestors I definitely know were involved fighting in wars. My 12 x great grandfather, Alexander 1st Lord Elphinstone fought with James IV of Scotland against the English at the Battle of Flodden in Northumberland in 1513. Unfortunately he died in battle there. Wearing the royal insignia, it has been said that he may have been mistaken for the king when he was killed. The king himself and many other Scottish nobles died that day, September 9th 1513.

On the same ancestral line, but much further back we come to my 20 x great grandfather, Robert de Brus, whom I have written about before. King of Scotland from 1306-1329, Robert, a national hero in Scotland, led the Scots to victory in the First War of Scottish Independence against the English at Bannockburn, despite leading a smaller army. Go Grandpa Bob! - as I often describe him :)


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