St Serf's Parish Church

Edinburgh Great War Casualties Roll of Honour

St Serf’s Parish Church Great War Roll of Honour

Author: Garry A Ketchen

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Allan, John William Anderson: 2 nd Lieutenant, 8 th Border Regiment. Born on 19/09/1888 at Leith. A son of Andrew Allan, Commercial Clerk, and Mary Proudfoot Allan of 2 Cambridge Place then 42 Cambridge Gardens, both Leith. Siblings were James A, Mary C, Margaret B, Andrew A B, David G and Catherine A. Husband of Isabella D Allan [nee Elliot] of 4 Montagu Terrace, Edinburgh. 2 nd Lieutenant was employed on the Staff of the Edinburgh College of Art. He initially served as Private 25449 in the Royal Scots entering France as a theatre of war on 08/01/1916. He was promoted Acting Sergeant and was then commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant on 12/11/1916 serving in the 8 th Border Regiment, being wounded during August 1917. He died of wounds received in action on 10/04/1918, aged 29, and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium, Panel 6. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal & Military Cross and was mentioned in a biographical note in The Scotsman , 24/04/1918, and a biographical note and death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 24/04/1918 & 18/12/1918. He is remembered on St Serf’s Parish Church Memorial.

Cameron, John [Ian] Gilmour: 2 nd Lieutenant, 1 st Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders attached 12 th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Born on 23/09/1897 at Loanhead. A son of Dr James Cameron, Physician & Surgeon Major in RAMC attached Lothian & Border Horse, and Mary McLean Cameron of The Fountain, Loanhead, Midlothian.2 nd Lieutenant Cameron was educated at Lasswade School, Edinburgh Academy [1912-1915] and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on 22/12/1915 and then in January 1916 he was attached to the RFC Military School, Farnham where he trained on a Maurice Farman Biplane qualifying as a Pilot on 25/03/1916. He was then posted to the 12th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and entered France as a theatre of war in June 1916. He flew a BE2c, serial number 2506, and died of wounds whilst in German hands on 09/11/1916, aged 19. At the time of his death he had led a bombing raid on a German ammunition dump located at a sugar factory in Vraucourt and was wounded in the head. He was shot down by Baron Von Richthofen [The Red Baron] and was classified as his “Eighth” Victory. 2 nd Lieutenant Cameron is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave II.M.19 and was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal. He was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, and the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register , Airmen Died in the Great War 1914-1918 , The Sky Their Battlefield, Air Fighting and the Complete List of Allied Air Casualties from Enemy Action in the First War and Under the Guns of the Red Baron, a biographical note, death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News, 26/02/1917 & 27/02/1917, and notices in the Linlithgowshire Gazette , 14/04/1916 & 02/03/1917 . He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church memorial. [Photo exists]

Catto, Thomas [Tom]: Temporary Captain, 4 th attached 2 nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Born around 1894 at Edinburgh. A son of Thomas Catto, Slater, and Jane Catto of 68 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh. Siblings were Annie L, Gertrude, Helen, Isabella W, Jane and Laura. Husband of Mildred T Catto of 8 Wardie Crescent, Edinburgh. Captain Catto was educated at the Royal High School [1909-1911]. He enlisted in January 1915 and initially served as Trooper 2105 in the Lothian & Border Horse being commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant in the 4th Highland Light Infantry [Extra Reserve] on 29/10/1915. He was appointed Temporary Lieutenant on 19/11/1916 then Temporary Captain on 20/07/1917 serving with the 17 th Highland Light Infantry between August 1917 and February 1918. In March 1918 whilst in France he was attached to “C” Company of the 2nd Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 22/08/1918 [some sources say 23/08/1918], aged 24, and is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave XIX.F.13. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918, and a biographical note and death notice in The Scotsman , 04/09/1918. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Cheyne, Andrew H: Lance Corporal, 9 th Royal Scots. Born on 04/04/1896 at Edinburgh. A son of Robert Cheyne, Stationer and Chief Clerk of Church of Scotland Foreign Missionary Committee, and Violet Cheyne of 5 Royston Terrace then 11 Denham Green Place, Trinity and also Dean Park Farm, all Edinburgh. Siblings were Violet F, Agnes, Robert and Henry [KIA]. Lance Corporal Cheyne was educated at the Royal High School. He enlisted on 10/08/1914 at Edinburgh and served as Private 1972 in the 9th Royal Scots, being appointed Lance Corporal on 11/02/1915 and entering France as a theatre of war on 24/02/1915. He received a gunshot wound in the back and left arm on 06/04/1915 and died of his wounds on 14/04/1915, aged 19, at the 11 th General Hospital, Boulogne. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave III.D.87 and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal. He was mentioned in the Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918, De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour 114-1918, a biographical note and casualty list in The Scotsman , 16/04/1915 & 08/05/1915, and biographical notes in The Edinburgh Evening News , 16/04/1915 & 02/10/1916. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. His brother Harry was also a Great War casualty. [Photo and service records exist]

Cheyne, Harry [Henry] Moncrieff MacGill: Corporal, 27 th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Winnipeg Regiment). Born on 22/01/1893 at Edinburgh. A son of Robert Cheyne, Stationer and Chief Clerk of Church of Scotland Foreign Missionary Committee, and Violet Cheyne of 5 Royston Terrace then 11 Denham Green Place, Trinity and also Dean Park Farm, all Edinburgh. Siblings were Violet F, Agnes, Robert and Andrew. Corporal Cheyne was educated at the Royal High School. Prior to emigrating to Canada he was employed in the office of the Edinburgh Life Assurance Company and was then employed as a Clerk in Canada. Prior to the Great War he had served for 3 years in the 9th Royal Scots then in the 79 th Cameron Highlanders of Canada. During the war he enlisted on 25/10/1914 at Winnipeg, Canada and served as Private 71243 in the 27 th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Winnipeg Regiment), leaving for the UK on 17/05/1915, being appointed Lance Corporal on 01/07/1915, entering France as a theatre of war on 17/09/1915, promoted to Corporal on 20/06/1916. He was hospitalized in No 12 Canadian Field Ambulance due to influenza on 20/08/1916 and returned to duty on 24/08/1916. He was killed in action on 15/09/1916, aged 22, and is remembered on the Vimy Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918, a biographical note in The Scotsman , 02/10/1916, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News , 02/10/1916. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. His brother Andrew was also a Great War casualty. [Photo and service records exist]

Dewar, Alexander: Lieutenant, 15 th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Born on 30/07/1885 at Edinburgh. A son of John Dewar, Product Importer & Dealer, and Charlotte Dewar of Villa Rose, Lomond Road, Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were Charlotte R M, Catherine C and Robert M. Lieutenant Dewar was educated at Edinburgh Academy [1894- 1904], Clare College, Cambridge and the Royal Engineers College, Chatham. He was employed in civil engineering with the Caledonian Railway Company and later received a Government appointment in Egypt as an Assistant Engineer on the Gharbia Drainage Project in the Nile Delta, Egypt. He was commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers (Special Reserve) on 21/01/1911 and resided at Salahib in Lower Egypt. During the Great War he was promoted Lieutenant and posted to the 15th Field Company, Royal Engineers, entering France as a theatre of war on 06/11/1914. On 21/12/1914 he was shot in left arm and abdomen whilst conducting a survey of German lines. He died of his wounds in hospital on 21/12/1914, aged 29, and is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, Nord, France, Grave I.C.1. He was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, and the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register , The Bond of Sacrifice: a Biographical Record of British Officers who Fell in the Great War, Volume 1, August to December 1914 , biographical notes in The Scotsman , 26/12/1914 & 29/12/1914, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News , 28/12/1914. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Elder, Alexander: 2 nd Lieutenant, 15 th Royal Scots. Born on 05/01/1890 at Edinburgh. A son of Hugh Elder, Manufacturer Coffee Essence House, and Maggie [one source says Madge] Elder of 5 Clarence Street then 89 East Trinity Road, then 8 Nertherby Road, Trinity, Edinburgh. Siblings were Margaret M and Edward M. 2nd Lieutenant Elder was educated at the Royal High School and Daniel Stewart’s College and was later employed as a Clerk. He enlisted in September 1914 and initially served as a Private in the 15 th Royal Scots being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the same battalion during August 1915 and entering France as a theatre of war in January 1916. He was killed in action on 01/07/1916 [some sources say 05/07/1916], aged 26, and is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France, Grave IX.M.8. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a biographical note in The Scotsman , 11/07/1916, and a biographical note and death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 11/07/1916. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Gay, Duncan Scott: Private, 2nd McGill University Company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). Born on 24/08/1890 at Edinburgh. A son of David Gay, Bank Teller at National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh), and Susan Gay of 45 Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were David S, Jessie and Agnes H. Private Gay was educated at the Royal High School. He was employed as a Bank Clerk & Assistant Accountant at the Union Bank of Canada, Saskatoon, Canada. Prior to emigrating to Canada he had served in the 4 th Royal Scots. During the Great War he enlisted on 15/06/1915 at Saskatoon, Sask, Canada and served as Private MCG237 in the 2nd McGill University Company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), entering France as a theatre of war on 24/08/1915. He was killed in action on 02/06/1916, aged 26, and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 10. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Royal High School Roll of Honour 1914-1918, and a biographical note in The Scotsman , 14/06/1916. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo and service records exist]

Henderson, James Norman: Major, 4 th Royal Scots. Born on 29/04/1881 at Edinburgh. A son of James Henderson, of Bonnington Paper Mills, and Christina Henderson of Attonrigg, Ferry Road, Edinburgh. Husband of Ellen Louise Henderson of 262 Ferry Road, Edinburgh and 101 Cambridge Road, Wimbledon, London. Major Henderson was educated at the Edinburgh Institution [1892-1897] and was later employed as a Paper Mill Manufacturer at Leith . He enlisted in November 1899 and served as a Private in the Volunteer Brigade, Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles, Royal Scots, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in same battalion in 1902. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1904, Captain in March 1907 and then Temporary Major in the 4 th Royal Scots during February 1915, entering Gallipoli as a theatre of war on 14/06/1915. He was severely wounded by a shell in a trench during the Battle of Gully Ravine and died of his wounds on 28/06/1915, aged 34, and is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Turkey, Special Memorial C.300. 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 Bond of Sacrifice: a Biographical Record of British Officers who Fell in the Great War, Volume 2, January to June 1915 , biographical notes in The Scotsman , 08/07/1915 & 10/07/1915, and a death notice in The Edinburgh Evening News , 08/07/1915. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Herald, James Herbert Crossland: Lieutenant, 8 th Durham Light Infantry. Born on 25/06/1894 at The Manse, Duns, Berwickshire. A son of Rev William David Herald, Parish Minister of Duns, and Florence Elizabeth Herald of 3 Beresford Gardens, Trinity, Edinburgh. Siblings were Constance M, Vere F, Agnes E, Arthur T A and Sidney H B. Lieutenant Herald was educated at Durham University and just prior to the war was training for Church Ministry. He served as a Lieutenant in the 8 th Durham Light Infantry being both Intelligence Officer and Transport Officer, entering France as a theatre of war during 1915. He died of wounds received in action on 24/01/1916 [one source says 24/01/1915], aged 21, and is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Grave I.C.3. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a biographical note, death notice and casualty in The Scotsman , 26/01/1916 & 01/02/1916. He is remembered on the St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Hutchison [Hutcheson], David: Private, 4 th Royal Scots. Born around 1896 at Leith. A son of James Hutchison, Spirit Merchant, and Janet Hutchison of 4 Kinghorn Place then 101 East Claremont Street, both Edinburgh then Milnathort, Kinrosshire. Sibling was John. Private Hutchison was educated at Trinity Academy. He enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Private 1552 in “A” Company of the 4th Royal Scots, entering the Balkans as a theatre of war on 08/06/1915. He was killed in action on 21/08/1915 [one source says 19/08/1915], aged 19, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a biographical note in The Scotsman , 03/09/1915, and a biographical note and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 03/09/1915, 19/08/1916, 20/08/1917, 19/08/1918, 18/08/1919, 19/08/1919 & 19/08/1920. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Kennedy, Thomas Christian: 2 nd Lieutenant, “C” Battery, 97 th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Born on 07/10/1896 at Bengal, India. A son of Pringle Kennedy, Advocate, and Louie [Louise?] Kennedy of Scoot House, Kinnear Road, Edinburgh and Muzaffarpur, Bengal, India. Sibling was Margery. 2nd Lieutenant Kennedy was educated at St Mary’s School, Melrose, Edinburgh Academy [1910-1915] and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He enlisted during February 1915 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery on 10/02/1915, being posted to serve in “C”Battery of the 97 th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, entering France as a theatre of war in 191, being Officer in charge of a Trench Mortar. He was killed in action on 25/11/1915, aged 19, and is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Nord, France, Grave IX.D.47. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and is mentioned in the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, and the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register, biographical notes in The Scotsman , 01/12/1915 & 03/12/1915, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News , 03/12/1915. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Kerr, Alexander: Lieutenant, 5 th Royal Scots . Born around 1890 at Edinburgh. A son of Hugh Robert Kerr, Corn and Hay Merchant, and Margaret Davidson Simpson Kerr of “Lillyville”, Ferry Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were William S, Hugh R and David S. Lieutenant Kerr was educated at George Heriots School and was later employed as a Director in his father’s company, Forage Supply Company Ltd, Springfield Mills, Leith. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Royal Scots on 24/11/1912, was promoted Lieutenant on 05/02/1914 and entered Gallipoli as a theatre of war on 25/04/1915. He was wounded on 28/04/1915 during the First Battle of Krithia and died of his wounds on 29/04/1915 [CWGC has 30/04/1915], aged 24, being remembered on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919, a casualty list and biographical note in The Scotsman , 04/05/1915, and biographical notes and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 03/05/1915, 04/05/1915, 05/05/1915, 06/05/1915, 30/04/1917, 28/06/1919 & 28/06/1920. Official documentation held by the family has confirmed commission dates and his date of death. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists] **See acknowledgement at end of ROH.

Kinghorn, Daniel: Private, 9 th Highland Light Infantry. Born on 24/06/1889 at Lanside, Cathcart, Glasgow. A son of John Kinghorn, Iron Works Clerk, and Jane Kinghorn of 27 Millburn Place, Motherwell. Siblings were Margaret, Alexander, Charles and Johanna. Private Kinghorn was employed as an Engineer. He enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Private 5098, then 332143, in the 9 th Highland Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 03/11/1916, aged 27, and is buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France, Grave VI.A.8. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Lamb, Robert Melville: Acting Lieutenant, Royal Naval Division. Born on 23/01/1895 at Edinburgh. A son of Robert Lamb, Sawmiller & Jacking Case Maker, and Annie Ritchie Lamb of “Ardlui”, 40 Netherby Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were Frances D, and Annie Florence. Lieutenant Lamb was educated at the Edinburgh Institution [1901-1911]. During the Great War he originally enlisted and served as a Private in the 9th Royal Scots, being later transferred and commissioned as a Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 17/09/1915 joining the 2 nd Hawke Battalion at Blandford on 10/05/1916. He was posted to Hood Battalion in the Royal Naval Division in France on 19/03/1917. He was appointed Acting Lieutenant on 02/01/1918 then Assistant Instructor in Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, serving in France. He returned to the UK suffering from influenza during May 1917, and although declared fit for UK service, he died of trench fever on 16/07/1919, aged 24, at Craigleith Military Hospital, Edinburgh, and is buried in Edinburgh (Warriston) Cemetery, United Kingdom, Grave B.200. 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 , a death notice in The Scotsman , 18/07/1919, and death notices in The Edinburgh Evening News , 17/07/1919 & 19/07/1919. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photos and service records exist]

Law, Charles Arkley: 2 nd Lieutenant, No 26 Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Born on 23/08/1899 at North Leith. A son of Alexander Law, Joiner, and Catherine Law of 40 East Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were Mary, David and Edith. 2nd Lieutenant Law was educated at Trinity Academy and was later employed as an Apprentice at the British Linen Bank, George Street, Edinburgh. He was a Scoutmaster in St Serf’s Church Boy Scouts. He enlisted on 27/08/1917 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 13/12/1917, being posted to No 26 Training Squadron. He flew in an Airco DH4, serial number B2121. He was killed in a flying accident on 19/02/1918 [one source says 13/03/1918], aged 18, and is buried in Narborough (All Saints) Churchyard, Norfolk, United Kingdom. He had no overseas service. He was mentioned in Airmen Died in the Great War 1914-1918 , and biographical notes in The Scotsman , 21/02/1918 and The Edinburgh Evening News , 21/02/1918. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial [Service records exist] [**Thanks to David McNay, Chairperson of Scottish Military Research Group, for 2nd Lieutenant Law’s date of birth, the British Linen Bank details and enlistment date].

McLachlan, David Ferguson: Sergeant, 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Born around 1895 at Leith. A son of Peter McLachlan, Warehouseman, and Elizabeth F McLachlan of 7 Royston Terrace then 1A Eildon Street, both Edinburgh. Siblings were Donald, Jessie, Katie, John L F, Mary S, Peter G and Robert F. Sergeant McLachlan was educated at Broughton High School. He enlisted at Dundee and served as Sergeant S/9155 in the 14 th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He received a gunshot wound to the abdomen and died of his wounds on 23/03/1918, aged 22, during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Grave X.E.6. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in a casualty list in The Scotsman , 04/05/1918. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

McLaren, William Somerville: 2 nd Lieutenant, King’s Own Scottish Borderers attached 48 th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Born: 02/08/1898 at Logie, Stirlingshire. A son of Duncan McLaren, Farmer, and Agnes T McLaren of Cornton Farm, Bridge of Allan and Fairnington, Roxburgh. Sibling was James. 2nd Lieutenant McLaren was educated at Stirling High School, Stanley House, Bridge of Allan and Edinburgh Academy [1911-1916]. He initially served as Private 2802 in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers [General List] then posted to the Royal Flying Corps on 28/06/1917, entering France as a theatre of war on 22/09/1917. He was posted to the 48 th [one source says 44 th ] Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and flew in a Bristol F2b, serial number A7282. He was shot down and wounded on 18/11/1917 and died of his wounds on 19/11/1917, aged 19, and is buried in Zuydcoote Military Cemetery, Nord, France, Grave II.D.18. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in the Edinburgh Academy Register 1824-1914, and the War Supplement to the Edinburgh Academy Register , Airmen Died in the Great War 1914-1918 , The Sky Their Battlefield, Air Fighting and the Complete List of Allied Air Casualties from Enemy Action in the First War , a biographical note in The Scotsman , 23/11/1917, and a biographical note in The Edinburgh Evening News , 28/11/1917. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. His brother James was also a Great War casualty. [Service records exist]

Millar, John Trotter: Private, 2 nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Born on 14/05/1878 at Stirling. A son of William Millar, Baker & Confectioner, and Elizabeth Millar of “St Margaret’s”, 1 Craighall Terrace, Musselburgh then 7 Gladstone Place, Stirling then 107 Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were Elizabeth M, Jane F, James, Margaret T and Johnina C. Private Millar was educated at Stirling High School and was later employed as a Head Cashier. He enlisted during September 1914 at Highgate, Middlesex and served as Private G/5023 in the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, entering France as a theatre of war on 06/01/1915. He was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle between 10-14/03/1915, aged 37, and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Panels 31 and 32. 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 Scotsman , 05/04/1915. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Plummer, James Willis: Lance Sergeant, 4 th Royal Scots. Born around 1893 at Edinburgh. A son of William R Plummer, Manager, Wholesale Wine Merchant, and Alice Plummer of 7 Royston Terrace and then 8 Denham Green Place, Trinity, both Edinburgh. Sibling was Alison. Lance Sergeant Plummer was educated at Daniel Stewart’s College and was later employed in the offices of Mr D L Munro, Chartered Accountants, 4 York Buildings. He enlisted in Edinburgh and served as Corporal, then Lance Sergeant, 1017 in “A” 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 22, 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 biographical notes in The Scotsman , 14/08/1915 & 31/08/1915, and a biographical note and casualty list in The Edinburgh Evening News , 31/08/1915 & 16/09/1915. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Pratt, Frederick [Fred]: Sergeant, 15 th Royal Scots. Born around 1887 at Southampton. A son of William J Pratt, 1 st Class Officer Inland Revenue, and Jemima J Pratt of 10 Brighton Road, Millbrook, Hampshire then later of Canterbury, Kent and Grange-over-Sands, Lancs. Siblings were Edith, Kate, Maud, Percy and Ada. Sergeant Pratt was employed as an Electrical Engineer and resided at 11 Royston Terrace, Edinburgh. He enlisted at Edinburgh and served as Sergeant 17207 in the 15 th Royal Scots. He was killed in action on 28/04/1917 [one source says 28/05/1917], aged 30, and is buried in Roeux British Cemetery, Pas-de- Calais, France, Special Memorial F.9. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Reekie, Gladstone: 2 nd Engineer, Mercantile Marine, SS City of Lincoln . Born around 1885 at Edinburgh. A son of Jared Reekie, Engraver & Etcher, and Margaret Balfour Reekie [nee Wilson] of 61 Inverleith Row then 11 Royston Terrace, Edinburgh. Siblings were David W, Margaret B, Gladys J, Alexander M, Bertram and Alice A C. During the Great War Mr Reekie served as a 2 nd Engineer in the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS City of Lincoln . He was killed by an explosion on 18/09/1917, aged 32, after his ship was torpedoed whilst located South-west of Scilly and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom. He was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal & British War Medal and was mentioned in a death notice in The Scotsman , 27/09/1917. He is remembered on a family gravestone in Edinburgh (Warriston) Cemetery and on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Reid, Robert Watson: Gunner, 70 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born around 1895 at Edinburgh. A son of Robert Reid, Traveller for Perry & Co, London, and Agnes Reid of 3 Inverleith Avenue then 13 Cargill Terrace, Trinity, both Edinburgh. Sibling was Leslie. Gunner Reid was educated at George Heriot’s School [1904-1910]. Prior to the Great War he had served in the Forth, Royal Garrison Artillery [Territorial]. During the war he enlisted in August 1914 at Edinburgh and served as Gunner 1146 in the 1/4 th Company of the 70 th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, entering France as a theatre of war during March 1916. He died of pneumonia at Boulogne on 05/04/1916, aged 21, and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave VIII.D.92. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in George Heriot’s School Roll of Honour 1914-1919 and a biographical note in The Scotsman , 10/04/1916. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Rodger, Robert Gilles [Gillies]: First Engineer, Mercantile Marine, SS Goathland . Born on 22/08/1875 at Markinch, Fife. A son of David Rodger, Ship’s Captain, and Mary Rodger of Dubbyside Street, Markinch, Fife. Siblings were James, Christina J, Mary and Rabina. Husband of Janet Wilson Rodger of 29 Darnell Road, Trinity, Edinburgh. Mr Rodger was employed as Marine Engineer and had previously resided at 7 Lindsay Road, Leith. During the Great War he served as a First Engineer in the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Goathland . He was killed in action on 04/07/1917, aged 42, when his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay by German Submarine U-84 whilst travelling from St Nazaire to the Gulf of Mexico. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom and was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal & British War Medal. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Sanderson, Arthur Watson: Major, 7 th Royal Scots . Born on 31/05/1876 at Leith. A son of William Sanderson, Rectifier & Distiller, and Charlotte Milne Dalrymple Sanderson of Talbot House, Ferry Road, Edinburgh. Siblings were William, Charles, Charlotte, Mary, Margaret, Cecelia, Jane, John M and Jessie. Husband of Ethel Catherine Watson Anderson of Lyne Villa, 252 Ferry Road, Edinburgh. Major Sanderson was educated at the Edinburgh Institution [1888-1893] and was later employed as a Traveller with William Sanderson & Son, Rectifier & Distiller, Charlotte Street, Leith. He enlisted on 09/01/1905 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Volunteer Battalion, Royal Scots in January 1895, being promoted Lieutenant in August 1897, Captain in February 1901 and then Major in the Special Reserve of Officers on 21/12/1908. During the Great War her served as a Major in the 7th Royal Scots entering Gallipoli as a theatre of war on 13/06/1915. He was killed in action on 28/06/1915, aged 39, during the Battle of Gully Ravine and is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Turkey, Special Memorial C.7. He was awarded the 1914- 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal & Long Service & Good Conduct Medal and was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the Edinburgh Institution 1832- 1932, the Edinburgh Institution and Melville College Roll of Honour 1914-1918 and 1939- 1945 and a biographical note in The Scotsman , 09/07/1915. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial. [Photo exists]

Telford, Gilbert Matthew Beaton: Captain, Mercantile Marine, SS Astrologer . Born around 1854 at Farr, Sutherland. A son of George Telford, Shepherd, and Christina Telford of Cletts, Orkney. Siblings were Marcy, Alexandrina, William, John R, Hugh, Ellrington and Elizabeth R. Husband of Annie Telford of 43 Pitt Street, then 5 Chancelot Terrace, Ferry Road, then 24 Trinity Road, Edinburgh. Mr Telford was employed as a Shipmaster and had been in the employment of Messrs George Gibson & Co, Leith for 25 years. During the Great War he served as a Captain in the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Astrologer . He was killed in action on 26/06/1916, aged 62, when his ship struck a mine laid by German Submarine UC-1 in the North Sea 5 miles S.S.E of Lowestoft whilst on a voyage from Leith to Dunkirk carrying a general cargo and coal. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom and was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal & British War Medal. He was mentioned in a death notice and articles in The Scotsman , 30/06/1916 & 05/07/1916, and an article in The Edinburgh Evening News , 27/06/1916. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Weir, William Harrold: Private, 7 th Seaforth Highlanders. Born on 23/09/1894 at Edinburgh. A son of William Weir, Accountant, and Elizabeth Weir of Wakefield, Currie then 48 Netherby Road, Trinity, Edinburgh. Siblings were John Henry, Ronald M and Constance M. Private Weir was educated at the Edinburgh Institution [1902-1911] and was later employed as an Apprentice Paper Maker. He enlisted on 01/09/1914 at Edinburgh and initially served as Private 2262 in the 9th Royal Scots being later transferred and serving as Private 202462 in the 4th Seaforth Highlanders, entering France as a theatre of war on 02/02/1917 and being posted to the 7th Seaforth Highlanders. He was wounded in action at Cambrai and died of his wounds on 15/10/1918, aged 24, at No 2 Australian General Hospital and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave V.E.18. He was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal and was mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 , the Edinburgh Institution 1832-1932, the Edinburgh Institution and Melville College Roll of Honour 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 and a death notice and casualty list in The Scotsman, 19/10/1918 & 22/11/1918. He is remembered on St Serfs Parish Church Memorial.

Acknowledgement

**Kerr family. I’m very grateful to Mike and Joan Kerr for sharing private and official documentation relating to Lieutenant Alexander Kerr, 5 th Royal Scots.

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 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 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 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