WILLIAM MULLEN (11 JUNE 1890 – 25 SEPTEMBER 1915)

William was born in Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire on the 11th of June 1890. He was the eldest son of Elizabeth and Bernard who, at the time of his birth, already had two daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Bernard worked as a quarryman and while the family were living in Newton Mearns William’s brother John was born. The family moved to Clarkston between 1893 and 1896 where Bernard continued to work in the quarries and William’s siblings Katherine, James and Ellen were born.

By the 1901 census the family had moved again, this time to Cathcart where Bernard’s father William had joined the household. The two older men are employed; Bernard continued his work as a quarryman while his 75yr old father was noted to be a Railway Surfaceman. With seven children no doubt Elizabeth was glad of the extra wage.

By 1911 William had left his family home and was at Mount Charles Estate in Alloway working as a domestic gardener.

It is from here that he joined the Gordon Highlanders during a recruitment drive in Ayr. Like David Anderson he served in the 10th Battalion and was sent to France.

There, Private Mullen, Service Number 5393, was killed in action on the 25th of September 1915. He was 25 years old.

The sharp eyed will have noted that not only did William and David serve in the same Battalion of the same Regiment and were killed on the same day but that their Service Numbers are very close. David’s was 5397 and William’s 5393. It is possible that, as they were both domestic gardeners on estates not far apart, that they knew each other and may even have joined up together to fight for their country.

William is remembered on the internal scroll and external memorial of Alloway Village Hall as well as having his name recorded on panel 115-119 of the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Note. 1. William’s parents, Bernard and Elizabeth are recorded in the 1911 census as living in Cathkin Place, Busby, East Renfrewshire. They stayed there until their deaths – Bernard on the 3rd May 1929, aged 74yrs and Elizabeth just 9 months later on the 23 Fen 1930, aged 70yrs. William’s brothers James and John are noted to be the informants.