The tree showing the IRISH paternal lines, Stanton, Madigan, Whelahan, Clarke, Grady, McDonald, Philban, Smythe or Smith. And on the Sutherland side Coleman and Lynch. Its no wonder that Denis Madigan is 92% Scots Irish
95 COWGATE was here just before you go through the bridge
The families Stanton and Madigan had both arrived in Edinburgh c 1848-1854
Peter Stanton was born on 29th October 1908 in the tenement building at No. 91 Cowgate in Edinburgh. The Cowgate had been his family’s ‘home-patch since arriving from Ireland in 1851. He was one of the 12 children of Edward Stanton and Catherine Madigan.
Peter centre with two of his brother in laws, Davie left and Jimmy right. They were all so smartly dressed in those days, even although they were very poor.
When Peter Stanton was born on October 29, 1908, his father, Edward, was 36 and his mother, Catherine, was 32. He married Mary Sutherland on October 3 1936 at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Chapel Niddrie Mains Drive, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. They had six children in 13 years, five sons and one daughter. Their only daughter died in infancy. Peter served in Burma during WW2 and he was in the Cameron Highlanders. This posting caused his health to rapidly deteriorate and his chest gave him major breathing difficulties. He would often tell his youngest son Denis about his exploits in Burma. Passing down his memories. Their marriage also deteriorated and after the birth of Denis in 1950 the couple split up when Denis was about 8, Having searched for official divorce records I can find none. He was an extremely jealous man and through his obsessive behaviour they separated. Meanwhile Peter found work in the Parks Department where he worked outside in the Fresh Air which helped him through. He moved to Tolcross and lived out the rest of his life here. Peter died on October 22, 1972, at the age of 63 in Roodlands Hospital, Midlothian. He is buried in Mount Vernon Roman Catholic Cemetery, Edinburgh.
This is an anonymous Poem written about the Cameronians in Burma On the Eighteenth day of April in the year of Forty Four When the boys of the Cameronians went marching to the fore, It was early in the morning as the Cams were standing to, That they met and fought the enemy on the road to Pinlebu. Now think of the fourteenth army, the boys who fought so well, Of the hardships they had suffered, no one but them can tell, Far from their homes in Scotland and the folks they loved so true, They fought and died forgotten, on the road to Pinlebu
“In 1943, there was no thought of good times for two battalions of Scottish soldiers. For them, India meant a new and unimaginably arduous kind of training. Some of the Black Watch boys had seen action in Somaliland, Crete and Tobruk. Some of the Cameronians had fought the Japs in the Burma retreat. Even for these, such training was trial by ordeal. Many more of the Jocks were new, just shipped out from Scotland, but all of them were ordinary men, men from the towns and villages whod taken the Kings shilling in their countrys peril.
WW2 Battalions of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
1st Battalion: The Battalion spent the entire time in the Far East in the defence of India/Burma. 1942: It was involved heavy fighting in the Burma retreat. September 1943: Became part of 36 Infantry Division. March 1944: Battalion was involved in the 2nd “Chindit†campaign, known as “Operation Thursday”. It was attached to the 111th Indian Infantry Brigade, Special Force, 3rd Indian Infantry Division.
Peter’s Medals fighting in Burma
Peter STANTON son of Edward Stanton and Catherine MADIGAN. This photograph taken in their family home before the split up. It was Christmas time or New Year probably. Peter was quite an entertainer and liked to sing. This pastime passed down to his sons and grandsons. He loved Bing Crosby and used the tune and wrote these lyrics below.
A wee song for his brother Eddie Stanton. His brother Eddie also called one of his sons Denis Madigan Stanton
1936 marriage. Mary was residing at No. 1 St. John’s Street, The Canongate at the time of the marriage
Son Michael or Mick 1937-2006
Michael was born in 1937. He was the eldest son
Jimmy and Michael Stanton
Mary with Jimmy and Michael the two oldest sons. Taken in Holyrood Park 1940
I always see the ghostly apparition in the Holyrood Park photo. Elizabeth Coleman was Mary’s mother. Mary always spoke about her white hair down one side of her face. Elizabeth was Scottish of Irish descent and was a Hawker or street Trader. Elizabeth died in 1936.
with Kathy and daughter Angela
JAMES EDWRD STANTON 1939
Peter with Jimmy. It is said that Jimmy was her favourite boy and she would spoil him by having all his shirts hanging after being washed and ironed. It would cause some tension amongst them when they were teenagers.
Mary Sutherland and her five boys
Jimmy 2007 – local hero
Jimmy and Anne Stanton with daughter Lynn and grandson Mark. Also in the photo is Lynn’s husband Jack. The event was Mark’s wedding
Son Peter 1941-2017
In happier times, always a party at New Year in one of the Stanton households
Denis Menace
Peter Stanton’s grandchildren Peter and Derek Stanton. Young Peter’s wife Gail is at the left. Derek’s beautiful daughter LYNDSEY is second left
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