His age was recorded as 33 when he signed up in Glasgow to join the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on 3 February 1915.
Glasgow's Lord Provost has launched a public appeal for help to find out more about First World War hero grandfather.
Discharged as a time-served soldier, McIlvennie had been working as a miner when he enlisted as a reservist in Greenock. Like so many others, his body was never found. His service and name are simply recorded on the Thiepval Memorial in France - a somber commemoration of the missing of the Somme and dedicated to more than 72,000 British and South African servicemen who died with no known grave.
McIlvennie could have been sent to the 1 st Battalion Cameronian involved in the infamous Battle of the Loos on 25 September 1915. It resulted in 364 casualties with only four officers and 200 men surviving. Prior to joining the Queen’s Own Cameronian Highlanders in February 1915, McIlvennie had seen service in the Boar War with the 4 th Battalion Cameronians .
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Glasgow plans to transform five key Glasgow bus routes move forwardLack of bus lane enforcement and delays at traffic lights are some of the problems residents have raised.
Read more »
How to get tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Miserables at Leeds Grand TheatreThe world-renowned musical Les Miserables is set for a run at Leeds Grand Theatre starting later this month.
Read more »
Glasgow salon says 'people would be horrified' if they passed costs onThe cost of living and energy bills crisis is the latest blow to many small businesses with calls for help being made across the city.
Read more »
Gang who trafficked vulnerable women to Glasgow for prostitution jailedJagpal Singh, 52, his partner Donglin Zhang, 49, along with Vlassis Ntaoulias, 33, and Boonsong Wannas, 63, lured victims from China and Thailand
Read more »
Sex trafficking gang who forced women to work in Glasgow brothels jailed for 31 yearsFour people involved in trafficking vulnerable women into Scotland and forcing them to work in brothels across Glasgow have been jailed for 31 years at the High Court.
Read more »
Scots Peter Kay fans fume as pre-sale for Glasgow date crashesThis will be the comic's first live tour since 2010, where he scored the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling run of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people.
Read more »