The Sherriff Family, Part 2

The following information, again in the form of a 'Time-Line' is the most straightforward way

of tracking John Bell Sherriff, son of George Serriff & Margaret Bell.

In 1883, George Sherriff  married Catherine Jane Nimmo, daughter of Alexander Nimmo of Howkerse, in the Parish of Bothkennar and of Westbank, Falkirk, Lieutenant-Colonel, Stirlingshire Volunteers.

1891 Scotland Census– George Sherriff, age 35,

living at the Temperance Hotel, Larbert, Occupation: Distiller

(Also living there was his wife Catherine Jane, age 29, born Falkirk, daughter Flora  age 3

and son John George Sherriff age 7 months, both born in Falkirk)

1896 George inherited the Estate of Carronvale on the death of his father John Bell Sherriff.

1901 Scotland Census–living at Carronvale House are George & Catherine Jane’s children

(Daughter Flora, age 13. son John George age 10, daughter Edith Mary age 8,

Alexander Nimmo age 6, Christopher Bell age 5 and son George age 2)

The whereabouts of the parents at the time of the 1901 Census is unknown

Their children:

Helen Russell Sherriff, born 18^th March 1885, died 8^th February 1886 (11 months)

Flora Sherriff, born c1888, died …………? (married Andrew McDowall*)

John George Sherriff, born 24^th August 1890, KIA 25^th April 1915 (age 24)

Alexander Nimmo Sherriff, born 13^th August 1894, KIA 1^st November 1914 (age 20)

Edith Mary Sherriff, born 25^th July 1892, died 4^th March 1940 (age..) married Rheinhart De Kat**

*Andrew McDowall (husband of Flora Sherriff), Lieutenant, 2^nd Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery resided at Girstingwood, Kircudbright at the time their Ante-Nuptial Contract was drawn up at Edinburgh on 16^th September 1915.

**Rheinhart De Kat (husband of Edith Mary Sherriff) was a Traveller for the Polak Frutal Works Co., Amersfoort, Netherlands at the time their Ante-Nuptial Contract was drawn up in Edinburgh on 11^th April 1922. He was domiciled at 5 Van Nagell Straat, Zwolle, Kingdom of Netherlands.

Their marriage took place in Australia.

In memory of GEORGE SHERRIFF of Carronvale, Born 24^th March 1856 died 10^th November 1908

HELEN RUSSEL his daughter born 18^th March 1885 died 8^th February 1886

ALEXANDER NIMMO his second son, 2^nd Lieut., Northhamptonshire Regiment

Born 13^th August 1894 killed in action near Ypres 1^st November 1914 and buried in a wood near Hooge

JOHN GEORGE his eldest son, Lieut. 7^th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Born 24^th August 1890 killed in action in Flanders 25^th April 1915 and buried in a field near St. Julien

Both sons were killed in the Great War, the following details are extracted from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database:

Name: SHERRIFF, ALEXANDER NIMMO

Initials: A N

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Northamptonshire Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 20

Date of Death: 30/10/1914

Additional information: Son of George and Catherine J. Sherriff, of Carronvale, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43 and 45.

Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Name: SHERRIFF, JOHN GEORGE

Initials: J G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 26/04/1915

Additional information: Son of George and Catherine J. Sherriff, of Carronvale, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 42 and 44.

Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Both brothers are listed on Larbert's Civic War Memorial

During the First World War, the Officers of the 8^th Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)

were billeted in the stables of the Carronvale Estate. Carronvale House.

Catherine Jane Sherriff nee Nimmo, (George’s wife) born 24^th September 1861,

died 16^th February 1936 (age 74) was the last of the family to live at Carronvale.

In memory of CATHERINE JANE NIMMO wife of George Sherriff

Born 24^th September 1861 died 16^th February 1936

Their youngest daughter EDITH MARY SHERRIFF wife of Rheinhart De Kat,

Born 25^th July 1892 died 4^th March 1940

After Catherine Jane’s death the house was sold in to the Prudential Insurance Company and was used by them for the storage of records during the Second World War later being sold on to the Boy’s Brigade and is Scottish Headquaters & the National Training Centre for the B.B’s.

 

Permission was kindly granted by the Boys’ Brigade to photograph the building (September 2011).

Carronvale House is Category ‘A’ Listed (Up-graded from Category ‘B’ to ‘A’ 8^th April 1993)

The British Listed Buildings online database describes Carronvale House as follows: “Extensively remodelled country house 1897, Sir John Burnet, architect, but incorporating walls of earlier house (18th century with 2 added wings in 1820s). Large 2-storey house with neo-Georgian details, planned around small internal court. Harled with ashlar dressings, modern red felt tiled roof. Entrance front, near symmetrical, 5-bay; central door, pilastered and consoled, (1897), 2 flanking windows with circa 1820 delicately carved consoled cornices. 2 wider advanced wings with canted ground floor windows, centre lights with curvilinear rail over casements, bipartite above, additional single storey projection to W. All other windows sash and case with 15-pane glazing. To E and W of main front set back bays with elaborately pilastered and decorated ashlar 1st floor facades. To W elevation ground floor verandah.

To E lower service court (now altered) Interior: finely executed woodwork throughout:

main front rooms with stained glass panels of castles.
Outer hall, marble floor and bold plain chimneypiece with columned overmantel: decorative Renaissance detail screen and internal porch. Panelled stair hall, stair with wine glass balusters, coved ceiling to upper landing supported on cherub consoles, screens at either end of landing, stained glass Art Nouveau stair window. Drawing Room, marble chimneypiece with overmantel incorporating cherubs and swags, deep frieze, plaster panelled ceiling, Former Library, 3 French windows with coloured glass, chimneypiece and overmantel, coved ceiling. Dining Room, elaborate chimneypiece with timber details rising to timber joisted ceiling. Simple but consistent detail in 1st floor rooms (2 amalgamated to front of house). Extensive walls (formerly part of walled garden and stable range to N and E.)”

Unfortunately, anyone wishing to visit some of these graves might be disappointed as the following photograph shows ......

all the Plaques and Stones are completely overgrown

http://www.memento-mori.co.uk/