Great War Casualties Roll of Honour

Wardie Parish Church Great War Roll of Honour [Formally Wardie United Free Church]

Author: Garry A Ketchen

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Copyright © Garry A Ketchen 2014

Photograph courtesy of Garry A Ketchen

Garry A Ketchen has asserted his right under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.

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Bell, John: Private, 14 th London Regiment [London Scottish]. Born around 1885 at East Pilton Farm Cottages. A son of Charles Bell, Farm Overseer, and Elizabeth Bell of 3 Wardie Steps, Granton. Siblings were Charles, Mary, Agnes, Katie, James, Bella, Maggie and Maxwell. Private Bell was employed as a Baker then a Butler for a Naval Officer serving in the south of England. He enlisted in London serving as Private 4191 in the 14 th London Scottish Regiment. John died on 07/11/1915, aged 30, and there is a mystery surrounding his death. According to his death certificate John was ‘found dead in a north going train passing Lamington Station of the Caledonian Railway.’ The actual cause of death was given as ‘Destruction of the spinal ecta and haemorrhage as the result of a gunshot wound. ’ An article in The Scotsman shines some light on the incident saying that the bullet that killed John appears to have been accidentally fired from a gun in another carriage and wasn’t heard due to the noise of the train. He was buried in Edinburgh (Comely Bank) Cemetery, Edinburgh, UK, Grave F. 484, and was mentioned in a news item in The Scotsman , 09/11/1915, in the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch , 09/11/1915, and biographical notes and a death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 08/11/1915, 10/11/1915 & 15/12/1915. He is remembered on the Granton Memorial and Wardie Parish Memorial. He had no overseas service. [Photo exists]

Black, Robert Erskine: Corporal, 10 th Scottish Rifles. Born around 1889 at Edinburgh. A son of John E Black, Cooper, and Mary Robertson Black of 10 Haugh Street, Edinburgh then 6 Bayton Terrace, . Siblings were Alexander, Ann, Mary, Christine and Isobel. Private Black had emigrated to Chile around 1910 but returned to the UK to enlist. He enlisted at London and served as Corporal 17927 in the 10 th Scottish Rifles, entering France as a theatre of war on 11/07/1915. He was killed in action on 25/09/1915, aged 26, during the Battle of Loos and is remembered on the Loos Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Panels 57-59. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 11/12/1915, and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 19/10/1915, 20/10/1915, 25/09/1916, 25/09/1917 & 25/09/1918. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Burns, John Archibald. Private, 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Born around 1894 at Newington, Edinburgh [one source says Newington, Surrey]. A son of David Burns, Engineer Iron Turner, and Helen Burns of 4 Bowhill Terrace then 6 Moncrieff Terrace, both Edinburgh. Private Burns enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Private S/13655 in “B” Company in the 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed in action on 08/08/1916, aged 22, and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas-de- Calais, France, Grave I.C.35. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 20/09/1916, and a biographical note and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 17/08/1916, 19/08/1916 & 22/08/1916. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

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Coats, John Alexander Hamilton: 2 nd Lieutenant, 4 th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment attached 164 th Trench Mortar Battery. Born around 1896 at Leith. A son of John T Coats, Pharmacist Chemist, and Mary H Coats of "Gowanburn", 8 Trinity Road, Leith. Siblings were Colin C and Hector W. 2nd Lieutenant Coats was educated at Daniel Stewart’s College and Edinburgh University [Student of Medicine 1914-1915]. From March 1915 he served as Chief Petty Officer TZ/4647 in the Royal Naval Reserve. He later transferred to the Army and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3/10 th [Cyclist Battalion] Royal Scots, being later transferred to the 2/5 th Lancashire Fusiliers, entering France as a theatre of war during July 1916. He was transferred to the 4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and attached to the 164 th Trench Mortar Battery. He was killed in action near Ginchy on 08/08/1916, aged 20, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 6 D and 7 D. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919 . He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Craik, David: Cadet, Edinburgh University’s Officer Training Corps, Artillery Unit. Born around 1898 at Edinburgh. A son of David Craik, Hosier Shopkeeper, and Caroline Craik of 23 Brunswick Street then 3 Clark Road, Trinity. Sibling was Caroline. Cadet Craik was educated at Royal High School and Edinburgh University being later employed as a Law Apprentice. He served as a Cadet in the Edinburgh University’s Officer Training Corps, Artillery Unit between May and September 1916. He was involved in an accident in Edinburgh and died during a surgical operation to set a fracture on 23/09/1916, aged 18, and is buried in Edinburgh (Warriston) Cemetery, United Kingdom. He had no overseas service. He was mentioned in the Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919 , a death notice in the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch, 25/09/1916, and a death notice in The Scotsman , 26/09/1916. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Dunn, James Anstruther: Private, 16 th Royal Scots. Born around 1895 at Edinburgh. A son of John Dunn, Iron & Metal Merchants Employer, and Mary Jane Gordon Dunn of 25 Cargill Terrace, Trinity, Leith. Siblings were David, John, Robert Gordon, Peter M, Clementina, Jane A., Mary Gordon and Minnie G. Private Dunn was educated at Trinity Academy and was later employed as an Engineer. He enlisted on 11/01/1915 at Edinburgh and served as Private 20018 in “A” Company of the 16 th Royal Scots. He was wounded on 01/07/1916 whilst in action near Contalmaison and died of tetanus in a German dugout on 05/07/1916, aged 21. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 6 D and 7 D and was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal. He was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 22/08/1916, and is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. His brother Peter was also a Great War casualty. [Service records exist]

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Dunn, Peter Muir: Private, 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Born around 1896 at Edinburgh. A son of John Dunn, Iron & Metal Merchants Employer, and Mary Jane Gordon Dunn of 25 Cargill Terrace, Trinity, Leith. Siblings were David, John, Robert Gordon, James A, Clementina, Jane A., Mary Gordon and Minnie G. Private Dunn was educated at Trinity Academy. He enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Private S/8944 in the 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed in action on 24/04/1917, aged 21, and is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, Nord, France, Grave III.A.12. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 26/05/1917. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. His brother James was also a Great War casualty.

Grier, Dudley: Private, 4 th Seaforth Highlanders. Born around 1889 at Leith. A son of Robert Bonnar Grier, Manure Agent, and Agnes Grier of 11 Bellevue Terrace, Edinburgh. Sibling was Frank. Private Grier was educated at Trinity Academy. He enlisted at Edinburgh and initially served as Private 4136, then 301774, in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, being later transferred and serving in the Private 235326 in the 4th Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action on 21/03/1918, aged 29, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas- de-Calais, France, Bay 8. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a death notice and casualty list in The Scotsman , 27/04/1918 & 07/05/1918. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial.

Logan, John Denholm: Private, 53 rd Training Reserve Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Born around 1900 at Edinburgh. A son of John Logan, Mechanical Engineer, and Anna Morton Logan of Caroline House, Granton, then 13 Lower Granton Road, then 152 Easter Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were Annie Walker, Jessie S and James B. Private Logan was employed as an Apprentice Engineer. He enlisted at and served as Private TR/2/43532 in the 53 rd Training Reserve Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He died of pneumonia at the Auxiliary Hospital, Leven, on 21/10/1918, aged 18, and is buried in Edinburgh Eastern Cemetery, Edinburgh, UK, Grave B. 1042. He is remembered on the Granton Memorial and Wardie Parish Church Memorial.

MacGregor, James Gordon: Corporal, Royal Engineers. Born around 1896 at Edinburgh. A son of John L MacGregor, Draper’s Assistant, and Helen MacGregor of 3 Monmouth Terrace, Goldenacre, Edinburgh. Siblings were Elizabeth and Helen L. Corporal MacGregor was educated at Trinity Academy and was later employed as an Electrical Engineer residing at 11 Darnell Road, Trinity. He initially served as Private 3689, then 251383, in the 6 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, entering France as a theatre of war on 01/05/1915. He was later transferred and served as Corporal WR/176037, then 421919, in the Royal Engineers. He died of a sarcoma of the left lung on 12/03/1919, aged 23, and is buried in Edinburgh (Warriston Cemetery), United Kingdom. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a death notice in The Scotsman , 14/03/1919, and a death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 14/03/1919. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial.

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Merrylees, James: Private, 9 th Black Watch. Born around 1890 at Granton. A son of James Merrylees, Craneman & Railway Labourer, and Margaret Merrylees of 13 Wardie Square, Granton. Siblings were Margaret, Andrew, William, John, Christina, Joan and Isabella. Private Merrylees was employed as a Baker. He enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Private S/11401 in the 9 th Black Watch. He was killed in action on 17/08/1916, aged 26, and is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France, VIII. G. 26. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 15/09/1916, and a biographical note and death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 06/09/1916 & 08/09/1916. He is remembered on the Granton Parish Church Memorial and Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Morrison, William Fleming Oliphant: Lieutenant, 8 th Royal Scots attached 2 nd Royal Scots. Born on 16/04/1892 at Newington, Edinburgh. A son Charles D Oliphant Morrison, Master Printer at Morrison & Gibb Ltd, and Violet S Morrison of 36 Place then 18 Zetland Place, Trinity, Edinburgh. Siblings were Marquerite K O, Strang F O and Kathleen M R. Lieutenant Morrison was educated at Edinburgh Academy [1902-1908] and was employed in his father’s firm, Morrison & Gibb Ltd. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 8 th Royal Scots during June 1915, was promoted Lieutenant in July 1917 and served with his regiment in Egypt and then on 26/05/1918, France, latterly serving in “A” Company of the 2nd Royal Scots. He was killed in action near Noreuil on 02/09/1918, aged 26, and is buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave III.A.2. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and is mentioned in the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, and the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register, a biographical note in The Scotsman , 11/09/1918, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News , 11/09/1918. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Paterson, William Anderson: Private, 1 st Scottish Rifles [Cameronians]. Born on 28/07/1895 at Leith. A son of James Paterson, Tea Merchant, and Anne Elizabeth Paterson of 124 East Trinity Road then 61 Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Private Paterson was educated at the Edinburgh Institution [1903-1911] and was later employed as an Apprentice at Messrs Craig & Rose, Paint Merchants. He enlisted during September 1914 at Edinburgh and initially served as Private 3454 in the 9th Royal Scots being later transferred and serving as Private 40322 in the 1st Scottish Rifles [Cameronians]. He was killed in action on 24/06/1917, aged 21, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Bay 6. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Edinburgh Institution 1832-1932 , the Edinburgh Institution and Melville College Roll of Honour 1914- 1918 and 1939-1945 and a casualty list in The Scotsman , 09/08/1917. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

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Robertson, William Ford: Captain & Adjutant, 9 th Northumberland Fusiliers. Born on 03/11/1893 at the Canongate, Edinburgh. A son of William Edward Robertson, Publisher, and Elizabeth McAlpine Robertson of 60 Inverleith Row, Edinburgh. Siblings were Margaret L M, David and Roy A. Husband of Annie Burns Robertson of 19 Stirling Road, Trinity, Edinburgh. Captain Robertson was educated at George Heriots School [1906-1909] and was later employed as an Analytical Chemist with the North British Rubber Company, Edinburgh. He enlisted on 03/09/1914 at Edinburgh and initially served as a Private in the 7th Royal Scots, being promoted Corporal then Sergeant, then being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers on 29/12/1914, specialising in signalling and communications, entering France as a theatre of war on 15/07/1915. He was promoted Lieutenant on 08/02/1916 and then Captain & Adjutant on 04/02/1917. He was killed in action at Stray Farm, Langemarck, on 17/10/1917, aged 23, and is buried in Talana Farm Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium, Grave III.K.2. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was twice Mentioned in Despatches. He was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919, a biographical note in The Scotsman , 24/10/1917, and a biographical note and death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 23/10/1917 & 14/11/1917. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exist]

Veitch, Adam Ramsay: Private, 7 th Seaforth Highlanders. Born around 1895 at North Leith. A son of William Veitch, Coal Trimmer, and Helen Veitch 3 Fort Place, Trinity and of 19 George Street, Leith. Siblings were Edward, Isabella and William. Private Veitch was employed as 1 st Counter-man with Mr John Ramsay, Grocer, of 22 Duke Street, Leith. He enlisted during August 1914 at Leith and served as Private S/6103 in “D” Company of the 7th Seaforth Highlanders, entering France as a theatre of war on 06/10/1915. He died of wounds received in action at Hill 60 on 20/12/1915, aged 20, and is buried in Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension, Ieper, Belgium, Grave I.M.22. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a biographical note in the Leith Observer , 08/01/1916, a death notice in The Scotsman , 29/12/1915, and a biographical note and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 28/12/1915, 29/12/1915, 14/01/1916 & 20/12/1916. He is remembered on the Wardie Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

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Sources

Aberdeen University Great War Roll of Honour

Airmen Died in the Great War 1914-1918, Chris Hobson, 1995, J.B. Hayward & Son, Suffolk

The Bond of Sacrifice: A Biographical Record of British Officers who fell in the Great War, Volume 1, August to December 1914

The Bond of Sacrifice, A Biographical Record of British Officers who fell in the Great War Volume 2, January to June 1915

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918, parts 1 to 5

The Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914

The Edinburgh Evening Dispatch [various dates]

The Edinburgh Evening News [various dates]

The Edinburgh Gazette [various dates]

The Edinburgh Institution 1832-1932

The Edinburgh Institution and Melville College Roll of Honour 1914-1918 and 1939-1945

The Register 1870-1922

General Register Office of Scotland: Scottish Census Returns 1871-1911

George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919

The Great War 1914-1919: Roll of Honour of The Pupils And Staff of Dunfermline High School

Leith Observer [various dates]

The Linlithgowshire Gazette [various dates]

The Loretto Register 1825-1964

Loretto Roll of Honour 1914-1920

Merchiston Castle School Roll of Honour 1914-1919

Merchiston Castle School Register 1833-1950

National Archives, Kew, London

The National Bank of Scotland Limited Roll of Honour

Old Fettesians Who Served In His Majesty’s Forces At Home And Abroad During The Great War

Register House, Edinburgh for Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates, Minor Returns, Census Returns & WW1 Soldier’s Wills

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Roll of Honour of the Member’s of the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet, and Apprentices, 1914-1919

The Royal Army Medical Corps Roll of Honour 1914-1919

The Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918

The Scotsman [various dates]

Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh

The Sky Their Battlefield: Air Fighting and the Complete List of Allied Air Casualties from Enemy Action in the First World War, Trevor Henshaw, 1995, London

The Sky Their Battlefield, Second Edition, Expanded and Updated: Air Fighting and Air Casualties of the Great War, Trevor Henshaw, 2014, London

Soldier’s Died in the Great War: CD-Rom

The Union Bank of Scotland Roll of Honour 1914-1918.

The University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919

The University of St Andrews Roll of Honour & Roll of Service 1914-1919

The Watsonian War Record 1914-1918

The West Lothian Courier [various dates]

The War Supplement To Edinburgh Academy Register

Websites:

Ancestry: www.Ancestry.co.uk

Auckland War Memorial Museum-Cenotaph: www.aucklandmuseum.com

Australian War Memorial: www.awm.gov.au

Australian National Archives: www.naa.gov.au

Canadian Virtual War Memorial: www.veterans.gc.ca

Canadian Collections: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: www.cwgc.org

Find my past: www.Findmypast.com

Scottish National War Memorial: www.snwm.org

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