James Pittilla Kinghorn (1912 - 2004)

Born 13 Oct 1912 in Port Glasgow

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Margaret Fleming (Colville) Kinghorn — married 3 Feb 1950 in Bellahouston, Glasgow

Descendants

Died 31 May 2004 at age 91 in Gauldry, Fife

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Biography

James was born in 1912.

He served in WW2 in the regular army in the rank of sergeant serving in France leading a section moving Brigade troops. He remained after Dunkirk and escaped back to the UK via Cherbourg in a coal boat. He was recommended for the 8th Argylls and accepted overseas service travelling via Cape Town to Suez. He then served in the Western desert leading a section of Independant Mobile Column to recc good tracks from Tank Base to the South Desert marking soft spots.

He had the job of escorting General Campbell from the Libya front through Halfaya Pass (aka Hellfire Pass) en route to Cairo. A German Big Bertha shell struck the side of the convoy injuring James but killing Gen Campbell.

In mid 1942 his division was chased out passed Burg-el-Arab by Rommel and his forces. After el Alamain he returned to Cairo then posted to Malfrag in Trans Jordan. During remaining service he enjoyed two long periods with the Arab Legion with breaks in Haifa and Lebanon.

His discharge papers state:

"Efficient, trustworthy, and intelligent. An excellent soldier who is above the average in every way." Military Conduct: Exemplary

In civil life he was a manager in the Bank of Scotland. He passed away in 2004.

Sources

Scotland's People: Ref: 574 / 543 RD: PORT GLASGOW (Birth) Ref: 644 / 16 / 81 RD: TRADESTON (Marriage)