A CHARITY is trying to trace the relatives of a soldier from Lugar who died during the First World War.

Private William Muir died 100 years ago this month after contracting Lobar Pneumonia and Away from the Western Front – who carry out research into the soldiers who fought in the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East during WWI – want to get in touch with his descendants.

The charity is responsible for researching and remembering soldiers – including William – who are buried in Turin, Italy after dying from illness or disease.

The soldiers – known as the Turin Men – were remembered in Turin on November 11 by an Italian teacher and her students who have been learning about the men and their lives during the First World War.

Lyn Edmonds, project director, said: "I would like to make contact with any of his descendants and hopefully learn more about William and share details of the event which attracted much publicity in Turin in the newspapers and on local TV.

"William was born in Lugar in 1894 and in 1901 his parents, Robert and Janet, were living with their children, Agnes, William, Jeanie, George and Janet at 471 Brick Row, Lugar.

"William joined up in Inverness on March 1, 1915 as a private in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders (S/17441), aged 21 years and after a period of training in the UK, he joined his regiment in France on June 9, 1915.

"Five months later the battalion was transferred to Salonika, Greece arriving on November 27, 1915, where William served with his regiment until his death at the 29th Stationary Hospital in Turin in December 1918.

"Sadly, his records indicate that he had been granted leave to return to the UK and he would have been on the journey home when he became ill.

"His surviving military records include copies of telegrams sent to his family, at first reporting that he was ‘dangerously ill’ and then another that was sent to say that he had died. The date of his death as December 7 is given on all the documents. The family address in 1918 is given as Rosebank, Lugar, Ayrshire."

Are you related to William? Do you know any of his family? You can contact Lyn directly at lyn@awayfromthewesternfront.org or get in touch with the Chronicle, call 01290 421 633 or e-mail editorial@cumnockchronicle.co.uk