For conspicuous gallantry near Port Arthur, when he went to within ten yards of the enemy's lines on three occasions and obtained valuable information concerning their positions, which proved very useful in our attack which followed. He was wounded on the last reconnaissance. . SNWM has a Patrick Tolland of 2nd Batt with a DCM 3/3614 died 14/06/1915 born Strathblane buried PERTH (WELLSHILL) CEMETERY
Honours
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Private Tolland served with the 2nd Battalion The Black Watch in
South Africa during the Boar War.
As Private No.3338 he was awarded the following medals:-
Queens South Africa.
3 Bars: Cape Colony.
Orange Free State.
Transvaal.
Kings South Africa.
2 Bars: South Africa 01.
South Africa 02.
As Private No. 3/3614 he was awarded the following medals:-
Distinguished Conduct Medal. (London Gazette 3.6.15).
1915 Star
War Medal.
Victory Medal.
Death Plaque & Memorial Scroll
As a civilian in 1901 he was awarded:
The Royal Humane Society Medal for saving two children from drowning at Port Glasgow.
3/3614 Private P. Tolland, 2nd Bn., R.Highrs.
London Gazette. 3rd June. 1915
For conspicuous gallantry near Port Arthur, when he went to within ten yards of the enemy’s lines on three occasions and obtained valuable information concerning their positions, which proved very useful in our attack which followed.
He was wounded on the last reconnaissance.
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Greenck Telegraph. 4th June 1915
Pte. Peter Tolland 3/3614 2nd Batt. Black Watch who resides at Harvie Lane, Greenock for conspicuous gallantry near Port Arthur, occasions and obtained valuable information concerning their positions, which proved very useful in our attack which followed.
He was wounded on the last reconnaissance.
--------------
Greenock Telegraph. 14th June 1915.
PRIVATE TOLLAND, D.C.M.
HIS EXPLOIT AT PORT ARTHUR.
WELL-MERITED DISTINCTION.
________
Our representative fulfilled a somewhat novel role on Saturday when he conveyed to Mrs. Tolland, wife of Private Tolland, 2nd. Black Watch first Greenock soldier to gain the coveted Distinguished Conduct Medal the glad tidings on the recognition of her husband’s gallantry.
At the outset some difficulty was experienced in locating Mrs.Tolland. When her husband was recalled to the colours his home address was 1 Harvie Lane, but on Saturday it was found that, from the residential point of view at least, "1 Harvie Lane” no longer exists. The first indication on this was when our representative found both ends of the land barricaded up and workmen engaged in the demolition of the property. Inquires made on the locality elicited the fact that Mrs. Tolland had removed to Charles Street, where her abode was afterwards ascertained to be No.22.
During the interview with the hero's wife ran the whole gambit of seemed to think that he was yet one more of Greenock's sons to be numbered amongst those who have sacrificed their lived in the war. So overcome was she that the assistance of a neighbour has to be enlisted in explaining to her the true position of affairs.
Reassured that so far as he was concerned the "Telegraph” may was not a messenger of ill omen Mrs. Tolland's fears entirely disappeared. Apparently her husband, who was wounded in the course of his gallant exploit, had duly left home on Tuesday to return to headquarters at Perth on the expiry of a short period of sick leave. While at home he had naturally talked a good deal on the encounters in which he has participated, but with the innate modesty of the true British hero he had not dwelt on the glorious part he himself had played; nor did he give any indication that his conduct was so outstanding as to merit special recognition. Thus Mrs. Tolland was no way prepared to hear of the distinction conferred. Not having noticed the announcement in any of the newspapers, and the good news not having reached her through other channels, she was as may be readily imagined, completely taken by surprise when she learned of the honour which had been so nobly earned. Her fears now changed to joy and pride when the full meaning of the distinction was explained, and she was only to willing to recount what her husband had told her of his part in the struggle.
Private Tolland was through the South African Campaign and was twice wounded. When recalled to his regiment at the outbreak of the present war he was in the employment of the Tramway Company.
He has seen practically the whole of the fighting. At Ypres and again at Neuve Chappelle, he was wounded in the left arm. As the engagement near Port Arthur in which he gained the medal. Mrs. Tolland for the reasons indicated, could say little. All she knew was that her husband three times got to within twenty yards of the enemy and gleaned information which proved of great value to the regiment in subsequent attacks of the German position. At his third attempt to react the Germans He was wounded, again in the arm, and crawled to the rear, a distance of almost two miles before he was picked up by the men of the Field Ambulance.
Private Tolland has three surviving children, and it is of pathetic interest that the death of his fourth child was practically coincident with the brave deed with which he has been decorated.
Greenock Telegraph.
GREENOCK'S DCM
Private Tolland, Greenock's DCM has seen a good deal of active Service. He was through the South African campaign with the regulars. He was called back to the colours and attached to the Black Watch. He has been in the thick of fighting all through, previous to the engagement near Port Arthur if which his conspicuous gallantry gained his the coveted medal.
He was wounded at Ypres and Neuve Chapelle.
________________
Greenock Telegraph. Tuesday 15th June 1915.
TRAGIC DEATH OF GREENOCK HERO.
Information was received in town today that Pte. Tolland 1st Bat. B/Watch. Who it will be remembered was honoured with the D.C.M. has met his death in a tragic manner.
He was home in Greenock and has overstayed his leave and an escort was sent from Perth to take him back to Head Quarters. He left yesterday forenoon and it is understood that while nearing Cumbernauld he jumped from the train and was killed.
His body was recovered and removed to Cumbernauld Mortuary.
________________
Greenock Telegraph. 16th June 1915.
LATE PRIVATE TOLLAND.
A correspondent says with reference to the tragic ending Private Peter Tolland DCM. I do not wonder at the happening, though it is infinitely sad that a life so strenuously lived in his countries service should not have been permitted to settle down, at least for a time, till the man's nerves had gained something of their normal condition.
In conversation he admitted that the tense experience of the battle field, the horrors of sights and sounds that might not be fully expressed, not to speak of wounds made him quite unable to sleep without a light at his bedside, or to remain still for minutes when on his feet. Yet he had a happy smile and a brave outlook upon the future, and I am certain that a long rest in some quiet home would have cured him of his neurotic condition and restored his mental balance which must have been a good deal upset.
I saw and spoke to Private Tolland in Glasgow on Monday when he was on his way to H/Quarters in honourable charge of two young soldiers who seemed to treat him with the utmost courtesy. He had a joke about his almost penniless condition which broadened to a laugh by himself and his escort when I again "enlisted” him that and that was the last I saw of a fine Scots soldier "broken in the wars” and now numbered with the ranks of the unreturning brave.
________________
Perthshire Advertiser. 19th June 1915
MILITARY FUNERAL AT PERTH.
The funeral of Private S.Tolland, of the Black Watch, who met his death as the result of an accident on the Caledonian Railway between Lenzie Mill and Cumbernauld Station, took place to Wellshill Cemetery, Perth yesterday afternoon with military honours. A detachment of the convalescent soldiers of the barracks, Perth, and a contingent of the Army Service Corps were present, and at the graveside the last rites included the firing of three volleys and the sounding of the "Last Post". Tolland was understood to be the holder of a Distinguished Conduct Medal.
__________
Kirkintilloch Herald. Wednesday 23rd June 1915.
TRAGIC DEATH OF A BRAVE SOLDIER.
KILLED NEAR CUMBERNAULD.
WORKED IN KIRKINTILLOCH.
---------
Private S. Tolland, of the Black Watch,who was travelling with an escort from Greenock to Perth in an express train on Monday evening by the Caledonian Railway, was killed shortly after the train had passed Lenziemill Level Crossing and was approaching Cumbernauld Station. His body was found by Mr. Con McGinty, Surfaceman, lying by the side on the line after the train passed.
He only lived a few minutes, his injuries being of a shocking nature. His companions went on to Larbert Station (the first stopping place, and then returned to look for him. It is not known how he came to get out of the train.
Private Tolland was the possessor of the D.C.M., as well as the medal of the Humane Society medal in 1909 for saving two children from drowning at Port Glasgow, and the D.C.M. was awarded him for obtaining useful information with regard to the disposition of the enemy and carrying a wounded comrade back to safety. He was an old army man, and saw service in India, also going through the South Africa campaign. Private Tolland was called up at the beginning of the war, and went to the front in August last. He was wounded at Givenchy, and took part in the fighting at Armentierre. At Neuve Chappelle he went out from British trenches towards the enemy's lines on three successive nights in order to obtain information, and on each occasion the man who accompanied him was killed. On the third occasion in spite of the fact he was wounded in the left arm and left leg, Private Tolland carried back his wounded comrade, who subsequently died. A ring which he was wearing of the little finger of the left hand Private Tolland kept as a memento of the occasion. The bullet which wounded his on the arm carried the ring with it, and the circlet of gold was found embedded in the wound. It was beaten out into the form of a watch badge, and has an inscription engraved on it.
The Greenock Telegraph published this week the following account of Private Tolland:
A correspondent says with reference to the tragic ending Private P. Tolland, D.C.M. "I do not wonder at the happening, though it is infinitely sad that a life so strenuously lived in his country's service should not have been permitted to settle down, at least for a time, till the man's nerves had gained something of their normal condition.
In conversation he admitted that the tense experience of the battle-field, the horrors of sights and sounds that might not be fully expressed, not to speak of wounds, made him quite unable to sleep without a light at his bedside, or to remain still for minutes when on his feet. Yes he had a happy smile and a brave outlook upon the future, and I am certain that a long rest in some quiet home would have cured him of his neurotic condition and restored his mental balance which must have been a good deal upset.
I saw and spoke to Private Tolland in Glasgow on Monday when he was on his way back to headquarters in honourable charge of two young soldiers, who seemed to treat him with the utmost courtesy. He had a joke about his almost penniless condition, whichbroadened to a laugh by himself and his escort when I again "enlisted’ him, and that and that was the last I saw of a fine Scots soldier "broken in the wars and now numbered with the ranks of the unreturning brave!"
Private Tolland is a native of Lennoxtown where a number of his relatives still reside. Prior to the South African War he joined the Stirlingshire Militia, and at the outbreak of the was transferred to the Black Watch. He was employed on the Lennox Castle Estate for some time, and also at the Alum Works and the Nickel Works at Kirkintilloch.
PRIVATE PATRICK TOLLAND.
BIRTH
There is no birth registered in Scotland of a Patrick or Peter Tolland 1879 84.
MARRIAGE
Campsie, Co. Stirling. 1903 ( No.9 )
6 Feb.1903 At St.Machar's R.C. Church, Lennoxtown, according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church:
Patrick Tolland, Lamplighter, bach. 24.
24 Main Street, Lennoxtown,
Son of Sarah Tolland (now married to John Burns, Carter).
and
Catherine Dearie, Bleachwork collar dresser, spr. 23
Dau. of John Dearie, Limework Labourer, deceased,
and Bridget Dearie, m.s. O'Donnell.
Witness: Edward O'Donnell. Helen Marley.
Daniel Conway, R.C. Priest.
________________
PRIVATE PATRICK TOLLAND.
DEATH‚
Parish of Cumbernauld, Co. Dumbarton. 1915 (No.35)
14 June 1915. On Caledonian Railway, 330 yds East of Lenzie-mill Crossing.
Usual residence: 22 Charles Street, Greenock.
Peter Tolland, Pte. No.3/3614 Black Watch, married to Catherine Dearer, 34, son of Sarah Tolland, outdoor worker.
(Contusion of brain, instantaneous death, as certified by Duncan Love, MB.CM.)
Informant: John Rennie, Police Constable, Cumbernauld.
The following is given in a report of the accident.
Reference: Register of Corrected Entries, Vol.II, Cumbernauld. Page 142
The following report of result of a Precognition has been received touching the Death of Peter Tolland, registered under No.35 in the Registration Book of Deaths for the year 1915.
Peter Tolland, Died 14 June 1915 about 4.30 p.m. on
34 years, Caledonian Railway about 300 yds East
Male. of Lenzie Crossing, Parish of Cumbernauld.
Killed by falling from a train. Contusion of Brain, death immediate. Certified by Dr. Duncan Love who examined the body.
Procurator Fiscal's Office, Dumbarton, 24 June 1915.
Certified by Robert P. Mitchell, Procurator Fiscal.
Entered 29 June 1915, J. Miller Roy, Assistant Registrar.
BURIED,
Perth: Wells Hill Cemetery. Plot A. Grave 630.
¨ Source. Commonwealth War Graves Commission )
Now under the additional care of the regiment.
COMMEMORATED,
Lennoxtown: He is commemorated on the Lennoxtown Great War Memorial Arch to the Fallen as Pte. R. Tolland D.C.M.
PRIVATE PATRICK TOLLAND.
1. Railway Records held by The Scottish Record Office.
West Register House, Edinburgh.
a. Register of Miscellaneous Actions
(includes Caledonian Railway)
Appeals and Special Summary Applications under Statutes.
Both under ref: SC 65/4/1
No trace of Tolland after June 1915.
b. Minute Books, Caledonian Railway.
Ref: BR CAL. 1/66, 1/67, 4/154 and 4/155
c. BR CAL. 1/66 Minutes of the Traffic Committee, Glasgow.
29 June 1915.
Henry Allan, Esq. in chair.
H. E. Gordon, Esq.
Sir M. Mitchell Thomson, Bart.
Marquis of Breadalbane, K.G.
Item: 1209. Private Peter Tulland, passenger, fatally injured near
Lenziemill Level Crossing, near Cumbernauld on the 15 June 1915.
Reported to the Traffic Committee.
(No further mention to the incident was found)
2. Board of Trade Accident Reports. Year 1915
Ref: BR/MT (S)/6/41 and BR/MT (S)/6/42
Full reports on serious traffic accidents, all Railways British Isles, but any individual accidents reported are only those to staff of Railway Companies.
3. Sheriff Court, Dumbarton.
All records up to 1940 deposited in West Register House.
Court Diet Books. Ref: SC65/1/35
Examined June to Dec. 1915 Nothing.
4. Perthshire Advertiser
Details of burial. ( Sandeman Library. Perth )
5. Greenock Telegraph
Background details. ( Matt.Younger & George.Grey. )
6. War Diaries Lists Home Forces Section
Examined Nothing found.
7. Public Records Office
WO97/6089 For Service Papers of 3338 Pte. P. Tolland Nothing found.
Medal Index Cards for entitlement of 3/3614 Pte. P. Tolland.
1053/303 Caledonian Railway Accidents to passengers during 1915 Nothing found.
8. Kirkintilloch Herald
Background details.
9. Notes
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