Gilbert Ruthven
Rank: Gunner
Service No: 174962
Date of Death: 7/10/1918
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery (157th Siege Bty.)
Cemetery: Rutherglen Cemetery
Additional information: Husband of Annie S Ruthven, 158 Farmeloan Road, Rutherglen.
1901 census information:
Address: Hareleeshill, Carnwath.
Father: George (38) engine keeper, born about 1863 in Carnwath.
Mother: Maggie (32) born about 1869 in Carnwath.
Brother: Andrew (13) born about 1888 in Larkhall.
Brother: John (12) born about 1889 in Larkhall.
Brother: George (10) born about 1891 in Dalserf.
Self: Gilbert (8) born about 1893 in Dalserf.
Sister: Mary (6) born about 1895 in Dalserf.
Sister: Isa (4) born about 1897 in Dalserf.
Sister: Helen (2) born about 1899 in Larkhall.
Sister: Betsy (1 month) born about 1901 in Larkhall.
1911 Census information:
The family are living in Larkhall. The family comprises Margaret 44, Andrew 23, Gilbert 18,Isa 14, Helen 12, Bessie 10, Ruby 8, Catherine 7, Margaret 4 and David 3.
Newspaper transcript – Ruthven.- In loving, remembrance of our two sons, Gilbert Ruthven, late Gunner R.G.A. our fifth son, who died 7th October, 1918, aged 26 years and 8 months; also, our second son, John, late 1/2 H.L.I., who died on January 1st, 1915, aged 25 years; also my sister, Bella Stewart Brown, who died at Shedders, Clarkson, 18th October, 1918.
The heart knoweth, the darkness and the bitterness of time, then –
It is a world of hell and grave
of buried lips we may not kiss;
Tis only Christ can make us brave
For such a world as this.
– 35 Hill Street, Larkhall.
Gilbert was invalided out of the army on 3/7/1918 as being no longer physically fit for war service. This was due to a severe shell wound in the upper part of of his right thigh which necessitated Gilbert having an amputation. Gilbert returned home following this but sadly succumbed to Spanish Influenza on the above date.
Commemorated on Larkhall War Memorial and on the memorial in East Parish Church, Rutherglen.
Gilbert’s brother John also died during WWI on 1/1/1915.