This week I have pinpointed some interesting family names that have particular resonance with The Great War and who were Annan natives. Trodden, Millar and Blackburn are each different examples of experiences of families affected in different but extreme ways.
The Millar family name is connected with Major W. J. Millar of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, 5th Battalion. He was awarded with the Distinguished Service Order on 15th June, 1915 whilst serving in Gallipoli.
Captain Thomas Blackburn served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, 7th Battalion in France. The Battle of Loos in particular found this soldier wounded and then captured by the Germany army. His family received word of his 'Presumed Death' only to be given the news 2 years later of his repatriation from the Prisoner of War camp.
The third name is not just an individual person but is a family who encompass the social and military experiences of their time. The Trodden family were John and Margaret and their 17 children and their lives in the family home of 4 Blackhills Cottages, Annan.
Before John Snr's death in 1922 they had found themselves dealing with the deaths of 8 of their children through illness and warfare. The accounts of the sacrifice of Private James Trodden at the Battle of St. Julien at Ypres, Private Robert Trodden on the transport ship SS Royal Edward and Lance Corporal George Trodden at the Battle of Broodseinde are reminders of what was given as the price of freedom.
At home Peter and William Trodden die of disease and illness and yet the family continues to prove their toughness of spirit; all family members old enough to do so have jobs and earn their keep. The older children meet husbands and wives and the family expands.
I was happily discussing my dissertation with a work colleague last night and to my complete surprise I find that the expansion includes his wife. Upon further discussion and some fact swapping, we came to realise I have been researching his wife's family history without even realising the close proximity of the family connection. The resilient family Trodden has branches still around us today, and hopefully I can bring to them memories that might have been forgotten, and they can perhaps fill in the gaps in between.
The next steps will reveal more either way. The coincidences in life make for a colourful journey it would seem.
Until next time.
:)
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