2416 Lance Corporal William Muir
7th(Fife)Battalion
The Black Watch(Royal Highlanders)
13th November 1916
Born at 3am on 04/09/1880 at Crossgates, Dunfermline. His parents were Thomas Muir (born in 1853) and Janet Ford (14/01/1857). They were married on 01/10/1872.
William had 5 brothers, Thomas (27/08/1873- 17/03/1936), James (11/07/1875- 06/02/1876), Alexander (04/11/1882- 1939),Walter (16/06/1884- 31/12/1930) and Angus (23/05/1888)- 1922).
He also had 4 sisters, Janet (11/07/1875- 14/04/1876), Isabella (1877- 1884), Maggie (1886- 1941) and Jeannie (22/06/1890- 1949).
In the 1881 (Scottish)census, the family were recorded as living on Dunfermline Road, Crossgates, Fife. Thomas snr was employed in a job he was to do all his working life , that of a coal miner.
The 1891(Scottish) census shows that the family were now living at 20 Grainger Street, Lochgelly, Fife.
By the 1901(Scottish) census, the family had moved again and were now living at Springhill, Dalgety, Fife. William had joined his father in working as a coal miner.
On 02/06/1902 William married Eliza Young (10/09/1875-1954) and they went on to have 7 sons, Thomas (13/09/1904 -1956), Henry (Born on 10/06/1906), William (1909-15/04/1911), Alexander ((27/06/1910-1976), Walter (09/07/1912- 08/12/1989), Ebenezer (13/05/1915- 17/05/1915) and John (14/05/1915- 14/05/1915).
The 1911 (Scottish) census records that William and his family were now living at Cremona House, Dunfermline. William was still employed as a coal miner/hewer.
William enlisted in Cowdenbeath, Fifeshire and was sent to France on 02/05/1915. He was killed in action on 13/11/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Dundee Courier – Friday 24 November 1916
Crossgates Footballer Killed
We publish a photo (see above) of Corporal William Muir, Black Watch, Crossgates, who is reported killed in action.
He was a territorial previous to the outbreak of war and had been at the front for almost two years.
Muir, who was a former Crossgates Thistle goalkeeper leaves a widow and five children.
Eliza, his widow was awarded a pension of 28/9 a week from 04/06/1917 on 01/06/1917.