Baberton Golf Club

Edinburgh Great War Casualties Roll of Honour

Baberton Golf Club Great War Roll of Honour

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.

Acknowledgements: My thanks to the members of Baberton Golf Club, especially the Club Captain, Brian Chrystal, for providing club membership details, occupations and addresses that helped confirm the identities of the casualties.

My thanks to Malcolm Fergusson for additional information regarding the circumstances of the death of Lt Kenneth Douglas Thomson, 10th A&SH.

Anderson, David: Private, 5th Royal Scots. Born around 1894 at Merchiston, Edinburgh. A son of John Anderson, Gas Meter Maker, and Agnes Anderson of 26 Shandon Street then 80 Polwarth Terrace, both Edinburgh. Siblings were Agnes, John, Helen, William Hunter, Walter and Edith Agnes M. Private Anderson was educated at Daniel Stewart’s College and studied as a Medical Student at Edinburgh University [1911-1914]. Prior to the war he had trained in Daniel Stewart’s College Officer Training Corps. He enlisted on 06/09/1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private 2237 in the machine gun section of the 5th Royal Scots, entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 25/04/1915. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 03/05/1915 [some sources wrongly say 27/05/1915], aged 21, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 26 to 30. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour, a biographical note and casualty list in The Scotsman, 02/06/1915 & 14/06/1915, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 02/06/1915. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Memorial [Joined club on 19/12/1911]. [Photo and service papers exist]

Arnot, John: Private, 4th Royal Scots. Born around 1880 at Currie. A son of Alexander Arnot, Spirit Merchant, and Annie Arnot of the Riccarton Arms, Currie. Siblings were Annie, James, George and Lizzie. Private Arnot was employed as a Commercial Clerk. He enlisted on 16/11/1915 at Glencorse and served as Private 3835 in the 5th Royal Scots being mobilized on 11/05/1916, entering Egypt as a theatre of war on 12/01/1917. He was later posted and served as Private 251237 in the 4th Royal Scots, receiving a gunshot wound in the left arm on 19/04/1917, then another wound to the left arm on 03/06/1917 after a bomb was dropped by an enemy aircraft. He then received a gunshot wound in the right arm, thigh and face on 12/11/1917 and died those wounds on 19/11/1917, aged 37, at the 44th Stationary Hospital, Kantara, being buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, Grave D.91. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman, 17/12/1917. He is remembered on the Currie Kirk Memorial and the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 19/12/1911]. [Service records exist]

Brunton, James McLeod [MacLeod]: 2nd Lieutenant, 6th attached 4th Royal Scots. Born around 1885 at St Andrew, Edinburgh. A son of William Brunton, Joiner House Factor, and Elizabeth Brunton of 6 West Claremont Street, Edinburgh. Sibling was George L. Husband of Florence Sutherland of 9 East Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh. 2nd Lieutenant Brunton was educated at Daniel Stewart’s College and Edinburgh University and was later employed as an Insurance Clerk. He served in the Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps, Infantry, as an Officer Cadet from October 1915 to March 1916 . He initially served in the Great War as Private 35471 in the 6th Royal Scots, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the same battalion on 03/08/1916, entering Egypt as a theatre of war during November 1916, being attached to the 4th Royal Scots. He was killed in action on 01/08/1917, aged 32, and is remembered in Jerusalem Cemetery, Israel and Palestine ( Including Gaza), on Panel 10. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919, a casualty list in The Scotsman, 15/08/1917, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 05/12/1918. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 27/01/1909]. [Photo exists]

Gibson-Craig, Sir Archibald Charles [4th Baronet]: Lieutenant, 2nd Highland Light Infantry. Born on 24/08/1883 at Currie. A son of Sir James Henry Gibson-Craig, 3rd Baronet, and of Lady Julia Gibson-Craig, of Riccarton, Currie, Midlothian. Siblings were Robert James and Henry Thomas. Lieutenant Gibson-Craig was educated at Harrow [1896- 1901] and Trinity College, Cambridge [1905]. He initially served in the Lothians & Berwickshire Imperial Yeomanry and was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Highland Light Infantry on 25/07/1906, being promoted to Lieutenant on 28/04/1909. From 19/03/1913 he was employed in Colonial service with the Nigerian Regiment of the West African Frontier Force. At the outbreak of the Great War he entered France as a theatre of war on 13/08/1914. He was killed in action between 14-17/09/1914, aged 31, and is remembered on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France. He was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, British War Medal, Victory Medal and was Mentioned in Despatches. He is mentioned in The Bond of Sacrifice, A Biographical Record of British Officers who fell in the Great War, Volume 1, August to December 1914, De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour 1914-1918, a biographical note in The Scotsman, 21/09/1914, and a biographical notes in The Edinburgh Evening News, 21/09/1914 & 09/10/1914. He is remembered on the Currie Kirk Memorial, the Grange Cricket Club Memorial and the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Elected Honorary President, Baberton Golf Club, 18th December 1908. Joined Baberton (as playing member): 1st April 1909]. [Photo exists]

Gourlay, William Norris: Captain, 5th Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Born on 08/12/1895 at Edinburgh. A son of Kenneth Mackenzie Gourlay, Chartered Accountant, and Hannah Grace Gourlay of Malleny, Balerno. Siblings were Hannah G and David W. Captain Gourlay was educated at Moorland House, Heswall, Radley College and was about to study at Hertford College, Oxford but he enlisted instead during August 1914. He initially served as a Private in the 9th Royal Scots before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on 25/01/1915. He entered France as a theatre of war during May 1915, was promoted Lieutenant on 27/09/1915 and was wounded during the Battle of Loos. He returned to France during September 1916 and was promoted Captain on 19/10/1916, He was severely wounded on 01/05/1917 and died of those wounds on 06/06/1917, aged 21, at No 14 General Hospital, being buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave III.B.2. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 12/06/1917. He is remembered on the Currie Kirk Memorial, a family gravestone in Currie Parish Churchyard, and the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 19/12/1911]. [Photo exists]

Greig, Peter Currie: Private, 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Born around 1884 at Newington, Edinburgh. A son of Peter Greig, Baker, and Margaret Greig of 38 Fountainbridge, then 21 Easter Road, then 37 Forrest Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were James C, Frederick W, Alexander C, Thomas C, Isabella C and Margaret G. Private Greig was employed as a Grocer then a Commercial Traveller. He enlisted at Edinburgh and initially served as Private 2772 in the Lothian & Borders Horse, being later transferred and serving as Private 32675 in the 1st Royal Scots, finally being transferred again serving as Private 31733 in the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He died of malaria at the 63rd General Hospital on 24/10/1918, aged 34, whilst serving in Salonika and is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece, Grave 657. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman, 04/12/1918, and a death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News, 02/11/1918. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 08/10/1914].

Oldham, William Hogg: Acting Corporal, 14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Born around 1884 at Edinburgh. A son of John Oldham, Tailor, and Catherine Oldham of 28a then 29 Carnegie Street, Edinburgh. Siblings were Michael and John Niven. Husband of Ann Forrest Oldham [nee Sinclair] of 47 East Claremont Street, then 2 Eyre Crescent, both Edinburgh. Acting Corporal Oldham was educated at Boroughmuir High School, George, Heriot’s School [1897-1901], then Edinburgh Provincial Training Centre [Moray House], the latter preparing him for his employment as a Teacher at Leith Walk Public School. He enlisted on 17/11/1915 at Edinburgh and initially served as Private 5558 in the 2/7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, being mobilised on 04/12/1916 and posted as Private 277320 serving in the 9th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, being appointed Lance Corporal 21/03/1917. On 05/08/1917 he was transferred and served as Private 14991 in the 41st Training Reserve Battalion then on 19/12/1917 he was transferred again serving as Private S/23842 in the 3rd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, entering France as a theatre of war on 23/01/1918, being posted and appointed Acting Corporal S/23842 serving in the 14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed in action on 27/03/1918, aged 34, during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Bay 9. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 03/05/1918. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial, Boroughmuir High School Great War Memorial and the Edinburgh Provincial Training Centre Great War Memorial (Moray House). [Photo and service records exist]

Reid, James: Private, 4th Royal Scots. Born around 1893 at Athelstaneford. A son of James Reid, Shoe Maker, and Elizabeth Reid of Manor Place, Aberlady then 2 Vennel, Dunbar. Siblings were George and William. Private Reid was educated at Boroughmuir High School and was later employed as a Clerk in the Accountant’s Office of the G.P.O., residing at 20 Arden Street, Edinburgh. He enlisted during September 1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private 2095 in the 4th Royal Scots, entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 08/06/1915. He was killed in action on 12/07/1915, aged 22, during an attack on Achi Baba, Gallipoli, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 26 to 30. He was awarded the 1914- 1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman, 19/08/1915, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 06/08/1915. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 26/12/1913, and winner of the Coronation Bowl]. [Photo exists]

Ritchie, William Thomson Jeffrey: Lance Corporal, 5th Royal Scots. Born around 1873 at Edinburgh. A son of Peter Ritchie, Book Seller & Newsagent Stationer, and Isabella Irvine Ritchie 8 Keir Street then 1 Graham Street, then 8 Lauriston Park then 56 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. Siblings were May Jeffrey, Jane N, Isabella Hewison, James L, Elizabeth Louisa Hendal, Maggie John and Robert Jeffrey. Lance Corporal Ritchie was educated at Trinity Academy, George Heriot’s School [1887-1888], Edinburgh Provincial Training Centre [Moray House], the latter training him for his employment as a Teacher at Duke Street School, Leith. Prior to the war he had served in the Midlothian Artillery (Volunteers). During the war he enlisted during August 1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private/Quartermaster 2489 in the 5th Royal Scots, being appointed Lance Corporal and entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 25/04/1915. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 28/04/1915, aged 42, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 26 to 30. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned the George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919, and a biographical note and death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News, 19/02/1916 & 28/06/1919. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 13/03/1909], Trinity Academy Memorial and the Edinburgh Provincial Training Centre Great War Memorial (Moray House). [Photo exists]

Russell, John: Acting Corporal, 9th Royal Scots. Born around 1887 at Edinburgh. A son of Richard Russell, Engineer, and Annie Russell of 2 Breadalbane Terrace, then 19 West Catherine Place, both Edinburgh. Siblings were Alice and Janet, one residing at 51 Roseburn Terrace, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Heriot’s School [1900-1903] and was later employed on the Staff of Heritable Securities and Mortgage Investment Association, 95 George Street, Edinburgh. He enlisted during May 1915 at Edinburgh and served as a Private in the 9th Royal Scots, entering France as a theatre on 12/10/1915. In April 1917 he was appointed as Acting Corporal 350993 still serving in the 9th Royal Scots. He died of wounds received in action on 20/04/1917 [one source says 09/04/1917], aged 30, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Bay 1 and 2. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919, and a casualty list in The Scotsman, 23/05/1917. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 06/01/1915, address being 51 Roseburn Terrace, Edinburgh]. [Photo exists]

Thomson, Kenneth Douglas: Lieutenant, 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Born on 10/10/1886 at Edinburgh. A son of James Wishart Thomson, Leith Ship Owner, and Barbara G Thomson of 8 Inverleith Place, Edinburgh and Glenpark, Balerno. Siblings were Sarah W, Elizabeth D, William, James W, Fredrick C and Barbara L. Lieutenant Thomson was educated at Edinburgh Academy [1892-1905] and University College, Oxford [1906]. He enlisted during August 1914 and initially served as Trooper 1664 in the Lothian & Borders Horse before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during 1915. He entered France as a theatre of war on 21/01/1916 and was later promoted Lieutenant, acting as Transport Officer for the battalion. He was killed in action by shellfire on 18/07/1916, aged 29, during the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, Somme, France, Grave I.C.21. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register, a biographical note and death notice in The Scotsman, 26/07/1916 & 27/07/1916, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News, 26/07/1916. He is remembered on the Currie Kirk Memorial, the Balerno United Free Church Memorial, the Grange Cricket Club Memorial and the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 03/06/1911].

Watson, Donald Miller [Millar]: Corporal, 5th Royal Scots. Born around 1883 at Glamis, Forfarshire. A son of Peter Watson, Dairyman then Coal Carter, and Margaret Watson of Star Cottage, Crieff, Perthshire. Siblings were Annie, Thomas, Mary, Jessie Caroline, Peter, Lewis Duncan, Flora, Margaret Kydd and Rhoda Cumming. Corporal Watson was educated at Morrison’s Academy, Crieff, then Edinburgh University [Student of Arts 1901-1906], and the Edinburgh Provincial Training Centre [Moray House], the latter training him for his employment as a Teacher, residing at 9 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh. He enlisted on 05/09/1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private 2325 in the 5th Royal Scots, being promoted Corporal ,and entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 21/03/1915 [one source says 24/05/1915]. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 28/04/1915 [one source says June 1915], aged 31, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 26 to 30. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919. He is remembered on the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial. [Photo and a few pages of service records exist]

Wight, Marshall Paterson: Private, 4th Royal Scots. Born around 1886 at Leith. A son of Robert Wight, Provision and Flour Merchant, and Janet G Wight of 6 Hermitage Place, Leith then Mayfield House, Balerno. Siblings were Robert, James S, John M, Janet J, Edith C, Elizabeth R and Hilda L. Private Wight was educated at George Watsons School [1893-?] and the Edinburgh Institution [1900-1903]. He was employed as a Clerk on the staff of the Life Association of Scotland and resided at Spylaw Bank Road Colinton. He enlisted on 06/09/1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private 2118 in “D” Company of the 4th Royal Scots, entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 08/06/1915. He was killed in action on 28/06/1915, aged 29, during the Battle of Gully Ravine and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 26 to 30. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, 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, the Watsonian War Record 1914-1918 and a casualty list and biographical note in The Scotsman, 09/08/1915 & 06/03/1916. He is remembered on the Colinton Memorial and the Baberton Golf Club Great War Memorial [Joined club 06/01/1915]. [Photo and service records exist]

Sources

Aberdeen University Great War Roll of Honour

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

Baberton Golf Club membership details, occupations and addresses supplied by the Club Captain, Brian Chrystal

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 Fettes College 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

The History of the Ninth (Scottish) Division 1914-1919, by John Ewing MC

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

Roll of Honour of the Members 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