Search on for WWI soldier’s family

AN appeal has gone out to try and find relatives of a WWI soldier.

William Wylie Templeton is one of the casualties of the Great War and is buried in Lockerbie’s Dryfesdale Cemetery.

However, his commemoration is described as ‘No longer adequately commemorating’ him, so an appeal for descendents has been launched.

And they will have the opportunity to be involved in a new commemoration, as required by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission charter.

Bryce Kelly is helping in the family search and said: “I talk about Wylie in my Commonwealth War Graves Commission tour of the cemetery, and know this: William Wylie Templeton was born at Blackpark Farm, Holywood on July 22 1890, the son of Agnes Jane Templeton (1864-1947) of Pilmuir Farm, Lockerbie, and John Hiddleston Stobie, police constable of 137 Drygate, Glasgow. He lived at Holywood with his grandparents, James and Marion Templeton, three aunts and two uncles.

“Known as Wylie to his family, he had been a policeman with Dumfriesshire Constabulary for three years, serving at Dumfries, Moffat, Canonbie and Lockerbie, before he emigrated to Canada to join the Winnipeg Police Force in May 1913. He lived at 181 Harriet St, Winnipeg. He also joined the local militia, the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

“He enlisted in Winnipeg, Manitoba in July 1915 and visited his family, friends and former colleagues in November on his way to join his battalion in France.

“He was wounded in France June 1916, and evacuated to Bethnal Green Military Hospital where he died. He was brought back to Lockerbie to be buried.

“I believe he had siblings who also emigrated to Canada, and their children would be Wylie’s closest relatives.”

Bryce is keen to hear from anyone with links or information. He can be contacted via Facebook.