1915 – Shell Shock
During World War One, 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed—many for offences such as desertion and cowardice. These executions remain deeply controversial, with growing recognition that many of those men were not criminals, but casualties of a then-unknown condition: shell shock—what we now understand as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
When we began our search for our great-great-great-uncle Robbie, who fought at the Somme, we visited the Lochnagar Mine Crater. Information boards circle the site, telling the stories of those who lived—and died—on that battlefield. One in particular broke my heart.
It told the story of an 18-year-old boy who was executed by his own side. He had been found cowering in a trench, paralysed by fear, unable to face going ‘over the top’. Rather than being treated with compassion, he was shot at dawn—punished not for disobedience, but for suffering a psychological injury that was neither understood nor acknowledged at the time.
Today, we remember him—and the many like him—not as cowards, but as victims of war and of a system that lacked the knowledge we now have. Their stories deserve to be told with honesty, empathy, and justice.
Servicemen in Scotland’s Asylums, August 1918
Recently released after a century of closure, asylum admission records provide valuable insight into the treatment of civilians and soldiers struggling with mental health conditions during and after the First World War.
The term shell shock—used at the time to describe the psychological trauma endured by soldiers in the trenches—is familiar to many through documentaries, films, and novels. Often, this brings to mind stately homes and poets recuperating at Craiglockhart War Hospital, a former hydropathic institute requisitioned in 1916 to care for officers.
However, a set of records in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) archives reveals a different reality for many rank-and-file soldiers exhibiting signs of mental distress. These men were often sent not to elegant convalescent homes but to harsh institutions known as “lunatic asylums.”
The Notices of Admissions—monthly admission records from Scotland’s royal and district asylums—list every patient received into psychiatric care across the country. Many servicemen suffering debilitating mental health issues were detained under Army Form B. 263, “An order for the reception of a dangerous lunatic soldier.”
In the pre-Welfare State era, support for poor people who became ill or injured was inconsistent and often minimal, relying heavily on charitable and voluntary institutions. Scotland’s lunatic asylums, established largely following the 1857 Lunacy (Scotland) Act, cared for patients with a broad range of conditions grouped under the umbrella term “insanity.” This encompassed symptoms such as depression, anxiety, delusions, epilepsy, alcoholism, and syphilis.
Many symptoms recorded in the August 1918 asylum admissions resemble what might now be linked to shell shock, though they were classified under terms like “melancholia” and “apathy.” These included depression, trembling, confusion, and severe anxiety.
Some servicemen experienced more acute symptoms, such as paranoia and vivid hallucinations. One soldier from the Northumberland Fusiliers, for example, was described as suffering from “delusional insanity.” His records state: “He thinks he is Jesus Christ” and “he hears voices telling him he is King of England.”
Notably, the terms “shell shock” and “neurasthenia” do not appear in these documents. The closest reference suggests that the stress of war may have “aggravated” an existing condition.
The phrase “general paralysis of the insane” was a clinical euphemism used by doctors, such as those at Glasgow Royal Asylum, Gartnavel, to describe patients suffering from syphilis. “Wasserman reaction” refers to the blood test used to diagnose this disease.
These records deepen our understanding of how mental illness was perceived and treated in a time when knowledge was limited and stigma pervasive—highlighting the complex legacy faced by those who served and suffered.
Hartwood Cemetery: Honouring Those Who Served
Isaac Ashwood Lair 15
Isaac Ashwood Lair 15,
A Royal Navy Marine, served just before the Great War but deserves recognition for protecting our ancestors. Born in Ireland to Samuel Ashwood and Ann Nolan, both Irish nationals who later moved to Sunnyside, Coatbridge, Isaac had several siblings. Initially listed as a bugler—which took some clarification to distinguish from “burglar”—he was confirmed in 1881 as a Royal Marine stationed at Portsmouth Harbour.
Considering his military service, we wonder how his experience may have affected his mental health, as shell shock existed long before it was formally recognized. After his service, Isaac returned to Coatbridge and worked at the Tube Works as a steel cutler. Isaac never married but was surrounded by family throughout his life. He passed away in Hartwood on 15 August 1898.
Colin Alexander
Colin Alexander was Born around 1842 to John Alexander and Mary McQuarrie, Colin lived in Edinburgh with his wife, Elizabeth Sime. He worked as a painter’s labourer and served in the army until his discharge in April 1875.
Patrick Tierney Lair 317 Recognised in 2024 by the CWGC
Patrick Tierney was born on 8 October 1880 in Kildare to Edward Tierney and Annie Connelly. Listed as being in the services, Patrick died in Hartwood on 28 February 1921 and was buried on 2 March 1921.
William Freeth Lair 332
William Freeth was born on 6 September 1862 in Old Monklands to Job James Freeth and Emma Issac. An iron merchant living in Coatbridge, he also served in the military. William died in Hartwood on 25 December 1919 and was buried on 27 December 1919.
James Thomson Grainger Lair 375
James Granger was born around 1879 to James Kean Grainger and Thomasina Thomson, James spent part of his childhood in Bengal, where his mother passed away when he was three. He died in Hartwood on 6 August 1925 and was buried on 8 August 1925.
Alexander George McLeod Lair 429
Alexander George McLeod was born on 7 October 1872 in Tradeston to Neil McLeod and Caroline Morrow. He served as a Royal Engineer with the rank of Pioneer during the Great War. Pioneers performed vital engineering and combat support tasks such as maintaining trenches, installing barbed wire, building bridges, and laying communication cables.
Alexander married Isabella, and they had a daughter; sadly, Isabella died young. He passed away in Hartwood on 27 October 1930 and was buried on 29 October 1930.
Notably, Alexander was admitted to Edinburgh Royal Asylum before the Great War, discharged himself, enlisted to fight, and was later admitted to Hartwood, suggesting a complex mental health journey.
Benjamin Evans Lair 560
Benjamin Evans Lair 560
Born around 1894 in Pontypool to Thomas Evans and Laura Jemiah, Benjamin enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 27 August 1914. After his discharge, he joined the Naval Volunteer Reserve.
James Alexander Fyfe Lair 334
James Fyfe was born on 14 November 1855 in Boleskine, Inverness, to John Brough Fyfe and Flora McCrae. Serving in the military, James left over £1,000 from a war pension in his will. He died in Hartwood on 16 February 1917 and was buried on 20 February 1917.
William Marshall Lair 261 & Alex Marshall Lair 362
Details are limited for William Marshall (Lair 361) and Alex Marshall (Lair 362).
William Hyndman Lair 395
William Hyndman Lair 395
Enlisted in the 26th Foot (Scottish Rifles) Cameronians at age 17 on 18 December 1899. Around 1910, he was living in Kirklands. This rifle unit, formed in 1881, recruited in Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, and Galloway and served until 1968 when it disbanded rather than amalgamate. A photograph is attached below from 1901 which might include William.
Annie McDonald Lair 445
Annie McDonald Daughter of Duncan McDonald and Maisie Cameron, Annie came from Dundee and served as a Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse at the Somme during the Great War.
Thomas Shields McCrorie & Thomas Cummings Lair 506
Thomas Shields McCrorie was born around 1886 in Kilmarnock to Thomas Shields and Agnes Melrose. He served as a soldier in the Royal Army Medical Corps and worked as a miner.
Thomas Cummings, born on 26 December 1887 in Carluke to John Cummings and Agnes Dyer, was a sailor in the merchant navy on HMS Magnificent. He bought his discharge to assist his family.
Archibald Farrell Lair 557
Archibald Stephen Farrell was Born on 27 October 1881 in Dalziel to James Farrell and Anne Kane, Archibald married Elizabeth McFayden and lived in Wishaw. Initially a labourer, he served as a private in the Royal Medical Corps during the Great War. Discharged due to injury on 14 June 1919, Archibald died in Hartwood on 21 November 1942 and was buried on 24 November 1942.
Peter Traynor Lair 553
Peter Traynor was born in March 1892 in Sligo, Ireland, to Thomas Traynor and Bridget Gilmartin. He had two brothers and three sisters and moved with his family to Govan. He served in the Great War and was discharged on 9 October 1918. There are two men named Peter Traynor in the records, leading to some mixed history that is being unraveled. He died in Hartwood on 7 August 1942 and was buried on 10 August 1942.
Andrew Browning Lair 581
Andrew Browning Lair 581
Born around 1867 in Larkhall, Andrew served as a private in the Royal Artillery during 1887. Later records show he was registered at Omoa Poorhouse in 1907.
Patrick Tierney Kildare In From The Cold
From Terry Dunham:
'In From the Cold Project' is pleased to see that our non-commemoration case of the WW1 soldier, Patrick Tierney, will now have his final resting place appropriately recorded at Hartwood.
We submitted this man as a missed casualty to CWGC in 1921 and our 'Grave Finding' volunteers located evidence proving his grave in your cemetery shortly afterwards.
Our subsequent submission of the burial evidence obtained with the help of North Lanarkshire Council was eventually accepted by CWGC and I see that their area ground staff have visited you recently. Their online records will be amended tomorrow to show his burial location.
Assuming his grave is unmarked, they would normally seek permission to erect an official war grave headstone. Can you confirm whether this is to happen?
We are both pleased to have brought another missing casualty 'in from the cold' and to have found his burial place. That is our mission!
May we congratulate the 'Friends' on their brilliant restoration work at Hartwood. It is good to see a new cemetery added to the 24,000 in which CWGC work and especially as it is a restored institution cemetery. (I am sitting at my desk about 600 yards from a similar hospital site which awaits restoration).
Well done.If anyone is interested, you can see a summary of our work with CWGC at www.infromthecold.org. If an official stone is erected in due course, we would welcome a photo if anyone has time to send one to us for our records.RegardsTerry Denham
Lest We Forget
Andrew Browning Lair 581
Andrew Browning
Lair 581
Name: Andrew Browning
Born: 1867, Larkhall, Lanarkshire
Parents: James Browning (Cotton Weaver) and Christinia Browning (Tambourer)
Home Address: Hamilton Street, Larkhall
Siblings: Thomas Browning
Occupation: Miner
Andrew Browning enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 23 July 1887, aged around 20. His service is recorded in the WO 97 Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records (1760–1913), under service number 61917, box 2372, record 121.
During his time in the army, Andrew was admitted to the military hospital in Leith, where he was treated for hysteria and melancholy — terms commonly used at the time to describe psychological conditions, now understood as early references to mental health struggles such as depression, trauma, or anxiety.
After his discharge from the army, Andrew eventually became a patient at Hartwood, where he died and was buried in Lair 581.
His story is a reminder of the invisible wounds many soldiers carried — a life shaped by service, hardship, and sadly, silence.
Benjamin Evans Lair 560
Name: Benjamin Evan Peters Evans
Born: Circa 1893, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales
Parents: Thomas Evans and Laura Jemiah Evans
Occupation before service: Draftsman
Benjamin Evans enlisted in the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 27 August 1914, at the age of 21, and served under the service number 12483. His records appear in the WO 363 – British Army Service Records (also known as the ‘Burnt Documents’).
Following his service with the Army, it appears Benjamin later joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, reflecting the continued military commitment seen in many servicemen of the era.
Benjamin passed away within Hartwood on 26 January 1943, and was laid to rest in Lair 560 two days later.
While Benjamin does not meet the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) criteria due to the circumstances and timing of his death, his contribution and service will be honoured on our Wall of WWI Fallen.
Archibald Stephen Farrell – Lair 557
Born in Wishaw
Service Number: 316506
Regiment: Connaught Rangers
Year of Service: 1917
Source: WO 363 – First World War Service Records (‘Burnt Documents’)
Archibald Stephen Farrell, known as Stephen in most of his military records, was born in Wishaw in 1883. He enlisted with the Connaught Rangers during the First World War and served under the strain of brutal conditions, like so many of his generation.
After the war, Stephen married Elizabeth McFayden, and in 1918, they welcomed a son, also named Stephen. Tragically, their baby died of bronchitis—a devastating loss that appears to have marked a turning point in Stephen’s life.
His service records reveal a steady decline after this event, with repeated charges related to alcohol intoxication. By the 1930s, Stephen had become homeless, his life sadly reflecting the long and often unseen toll of war on mental health and wellbeing.
Stephen died alone and was laid to rest in Lair 557 at Hartwood. His story is a reminder that not all casualties of war fall on the battlefield. Some carry invisible wounds that never truly heal.
We remember him and honour his life and sacrifice.
