Hover cursor over images for information.
Queensferry Memorial 1917 – 16 Men.
Private Alexander Begbie, of 9th Battalion Royal Scots, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 5.3.1898 in Duddingston, Abercorn, to Alexander, a Ploughman and Mary Begbie ms Findlay. They married in Dalmeny Rows in 1897. Alexander had 2 Brothers and 1 Sister. By 1911 aged 13, the Family were living in Echline, Queensferry. Alexander was killed in action on 21.4.1917 aged 19, in France. As next of kin, his Parents were living in 9 The Loan, Queensferry. He is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France –Ref- Bay 1&2. His name is also commemorated on Queensferry Parish Church Memorial. Alexander was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private Alfred Hunter, a Miner, of “A” Co. 1st Bat. Kings Own Scottish Borderers, enlisted in Kirkliston. He was born on 13.1.1884 in Leith to Henry, a Labourer and Charlotte Hunter ms McWilliams. Alfred had 4 Brothers and 1 Sister. In 1905 he married Elizabeth Levin and they had 1 child, Charles, born in 1913, in 9 The Loan, Queensferry, where they were living. He died of Wounds in belgium, on 14.10.1917, aged 33. He is buried in Grave Ref: X1. F. 15. -Dozingham Cemetery, Belgium. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals.
Private George Marshall, of 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, enlisted in Kirkliston. He was born on 17.12.1880 in West Terrace, Queensferry, to George, a Shale Miner and Barbara Marshall ms Thomson. He had 4 Sisters and 3 brothers. In 1891 the Family were living in Brash's Close, Queensferry. In 1901, George aged 20 and a Coal Miner is living in Beath with Parents and Siblings.
George died on 3.5.1917, aged 36, in France and he is commemorated on Panel Ref: Bay 5, Arras Memorial, Arras, France, and is also remembered on Kirkliston Memorial and Queensferry Primary School Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private George Woods, of 2/5th Bat. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 10.2.1896 in Oil Works Cottages, Dalmeny, to Henry, a Retortman and Henrietta Woods, ms Craig. They married in 1887 when Henry was a Private in the Royal Marines serving on HMS Devastation. George had 2 Brothers and 3 Sisters. They grew up in the Vennel, Queensferry. In 1911 aged 15, George was an Apprentice Plumber, living in Hawthorn Bank, The Vennel, Queensferry, with his Mother, 4 Siblings and a Boarder. His Father was now a Painter for Distillery and was living in a wooden outbuilding in the Garden. George died of wounds on 6.12.1917, aged 21, in France. He is buried in Grave Ref: V11. B. 25. – Rocquigny-Equancourt Road, British Cemetery, Manacourt, Somme, France. He is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church and Primary School Memorials. George was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private James Findlay Campbell, of 52nd Div -Army Cyclist Corps, enlisted in Kirkliston. He was born on 211.1.1896 in Oil Work Cottages, Dalmeny to William Campbell, a Miner and Marion Findlay. He had 2 Sisters. In 1911 aged 15 and a Miner, he was living in Harbour Head, Queensferry with the Family. He died of wounds on 12.6.1917, aged 21, in Egypt and is buried in Grave Ref: A.22,3 Deir El Balah War Cemetery, Palestine -(about 16 kilometres East of the Egyptian border). He is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church, and Kirkliston Memorials. His Parents were living in 9 The Loan, Queensferry. James was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private James Henderson Grieve, of 3rd/13th Battalion Royal Scots, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 3.12.1876 in Dunbar to Peter, a Paper Maker and Janet Grieve ms Henderson. He had 4 Brothers and 1 sister. His Father died in Newhalls Cottage, Queensferry, in 1890, aged 38, from Influenza and Pneumonia. In 1891, aged 14, James is Engineers Assistant on a Steam Boat, living in Boatmens Houses, Queensferry with Mother and Siblings. In 1901,aged 24, he is a Shale Miner still living at same address and in 1911 is a General Labourer at same address. He was killed in action on 31.7.1917, aged 40, in France and his Brother David is next of Kin, living in 11 Morison Gardens, Queensferry. James is commemorated on Panel Ref: 11. Ypres Menin Gate, France and is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private James Low, of 11th Battalion Royal Scots, a Reporter, enlisted 11.12.1915 in Glencourse. He was born on 18.11.1886 in Dundee to Thomas and Mary Low ms Blyth. He appears to have no Siblings. He was living in Markinch in 1901 and his Father was a Colporteur (Colportage is the distribution of publications, books and religius tracts by carriers called "Colporteurs"). In 1911 aged 24, James was an Auxillary Postman and he was living in Queensferry High Street with his Father, also an Auxillary Postman and Labourer. His Mother died on 10.7.1912 of Colon Cancer. James died on 6.6.1917, aged 30, in France and is Commemorated on Panel Ref Bay 1&2 -Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private John Murray of 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, enlisted in Edinburgh. He was Manager of Hillwood Co-operative Society in Queensferry. He was born in 1878 in Carlisle, to Robert and Jane nee Beeby. He had three sisters and three brothers and another sister and brother born 1865 and 1868 who do not appear after the 1871 census and were 8 and 3 years respectively then.
John married Mary Ann Irving on 14.9.1901 in Dumfries and sadly she died of Tuberculosis on 9.8.1905. They had two children, Robert born 1902 and Thomas born 1904, both in Langholm. They were sent to live with their grandmother Jane in Aspatria, Cumberland by the 1911 census. Robert emigrated to America with his wife in 1938 aged 36, and Thomas signed up for the Royal Navy in 1922 on his 18th birthday.
John grew up in Carlisle, and was in Aspatria, Cumberland aged 12 with his parents and siblings in 1891. His father died in 1907 and his mother died in 1918
In 1911, aged 33, he was a Grocery Salesman living as a Boarder in Catherine Bank, Queensferry, with Jane Ponton and her daughter Isabella (aged 32).
He died on 22.8.1917, aged 39, in Belgium, and is Commemorated on Panel Ref: 132 to 135 and 162A, Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, also on Queensferry Parish Church and the Masonic Memorials. He is also commemorated on the Aspatria War Memorial and on the Aspatria Parish Church Memorial, Cumberland. John was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Sergeant John Smith of 136th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisted in Dublin. He was born in Dublin around 1880 to Philip, a Baker and Anne Smith ms Riley. On 28.11.1915, in Queensferry, he married Elizabeth Lapsley of Harbour Lane, Queensferry. He was a Gunner in the RGA at the time. Elizabeth was Sister to Robert Lapsley who was killed in 1914 and James Lapsley who was killed in 1916 (see both 1914 and 1916 in 'Memorials'). John died on 25.12.1917, aged 37, at home, of Tuberculosis, and is buried in Grave Ref: 861, Queensferry Cemetery. His name is also commemorated on St Margaret's Church Memorial, Queensferry and listed on Irelands Memorial Records. John was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private Melville Christie, of 2nd Kings Own Scottish Borderers, enlisted in 1915. He was born on 31.3.1887 in Leith to Samuel, a Slater and Elizabeth Christie, ms Heggie. He had 3 Brothers and 2 Sisters. In 1901 aged 14, he was living in The Vennel, Queensferry with Parents and Siblings. In 1911, aged 24, he is a Confectioner Van Salesman living as boarder with Janet Wallace, in Bathgate. In 1912 he married Euphemia Hutton in Bathgate. He died on 7.11.1917, aged 30, in Belgium during an act of Bravery. West Lothian Courier of 30.11.1917 states that he was one of a party trying to help a man from another regiment who had been stuck in mud up to his chest for more than 36 hours. This was near a pillbox which was a target for enemy shelling. He was looking for planks of wood to help the man get out of the marsh when a shell landed on top of the pillbox. A large piece of shrapnel hit him in the back and killed him. He had only been 9 days in the fighting line when he met his death.
His Parents were living in Hawthorn Bank, Queensferry. His Brother William was discharged from the Royal Scots in 1917 with Psoriasis. William lived in Manse Cottage, Dalmeny with his wife Marion and 1 child, and died in 1958. Melville is commemorated on Panel 66-68, Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium, and also on Queensferry Parish Church Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medal.
Private Michael Quigley, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 9.1.1884 in West Calder to Edward, a Shale Miner and Anne Quigley ms McMahon. He had 6 Brothers and 2 Sisters. In 1901, aged 17, he was a Shale Miner living with Parents in 5 Stone Row, Dalmeny . In 1906, aged 21, he married Elizabeth McArthur, of Queensferry, Sister of William McArthur who was killed in action in France on 24.7.1918 (read more in 1918 'Memorials'). In 1911 Michael was in 4 Covenanters Close with his Parents, listed as married, but wife not on census with him. He died 11.4.1917 aged 33, in France and is buried in Grave Ref: 111. D. 3. -Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France. He is also remembered on St Margaret's Church Memorial. Michael was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private Norman Mathieson, 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 16.12.1887 in Leith, to John, a Merchant Seaman and Mary Mathieson ms McPherson and had 2 Brothers and 1 Sister. They grew up in Leith and in 1911, aged 23, he was an Assistant Pharmacist living with Parents in Admiralty Street, Leith. He died on 4.12.1917 aged 30, in France and is commemorated on Panel Ref: Panel 10, Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, Nord, France. He is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church Memorial. Norman was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private Robert Ford, 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers, enlisted in Kirkliston. He was born on 17.9.1885 in Mid Terrace, Queensferry to George, a Shale Miner and Isabella Ford ms Stevenson. He had 3 Brothers. They grew up in Queensferry and on 4.1.1911, a Barman, aged 25, he married Alice Wilkinson, a Weaver, both of Davidson's Buildings, Queensferry. On 1911 Census he was listed as a Hotel Waiter, in Brewery Close with his Parents and Brothers. Wife Alice is not on census with him. Robert died in France on 26.1.1917, aged 31. He is buried in Grave Ref: V1. A. 82.- Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church and Kirkliston Memorials. His next of kin is wife Alice, living in 19 Sealscraig, Queensferry. Robert was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Sapper Thomas Fairley, 250th Tunneling Royal Engineers, enlisted in Sussex. He was born on 11.8.1880 in Bellstane, Queensferry to William, a Fisherman and Janet Fairley, ms Brown. He had 3 Brothers and 4 Sisters. He grew up in Queensferry, living in High Street, North Side, Hills Land, Queensferry, then Church Place,The Loan, Queensferry. In 1911 aged 30, he is a General Labourer with Manchester Waterworks, lodging with John Fowlers and Family. His father, a Fisherman, Drowned on 16.7.1888, aged 48, between Inch Garvie and the Forth Bridge Jetty. Thomas Died of Wounds on 2.11.1917, aged 37, in France and is buried in Grave Ref: 11. B. 68., Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France. He is also remembered on the Queensferry Parish Church Memorial. Thomas was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Private Thomas Lee, 3rd Battalion Royal Scots Fussiliers, a Steel Driller, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 27.4.1898 in Edinburgh Royal Maternity Hospital, to Thomas, a Brick Layer and Elizabeth, ms Thomson. He had 1 Brother and 3 Sisters. In 1901 aged 3 he was living in Covenanters Close with his mother and in 1911 aged 12, he was in Bellstane, Queensferry with Parents and Siblings. On 29.11.1917 he was posted to Egypt, but drowned on 30.12.1917, aged 19 when the Troop Ship SS Aragon was torpedoed at Alexandria, (his body was recovered). His name is on the Memorial list referring to those who drowned on Troop Ship S.S.Aragon. He is buried in Grave Ref: A. 115. Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church and Primary School Memorials. Thomas was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Corporal William Ley, 17th Battalion Royal Scots, enlisted in Queensferry. He was born on 5.7.1891 in West Terrace, Queensferry to George, a Shale Miner and Margaret Ley ms Smith. He had 3 Brothers and 2 Sisters. His Mother died on 27.6.1904, age 43, at Harbour Head, Queensferry, Cause – Sudden Death, Probable Cause- Heart Failure. On 24.11.1911, in Dundee William aged 21, a Shale Miner, of Plewland House, Queensferry, married Jane Anderson, 22, a Spool Winder, Lochee, Dundee.
William was killed in action on 18.6.1917 aged 25, in France. He is buried in Grave Ref: C 1 - Heuidicourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France and is also remembered on Queensferry Parish Church and Primary School Memorials.
William was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
His Brother David Ley of Royal Scots Special Reserve died in 1916 and you can read more in 1916 'Memorials'. His brother Thomas Ley served in the Royal Scots and died of Tuberculosis at home (Post Office Close) in 1919, you can read more in 1919 'Memorials'.
Dalmeny 1917 - 8 Men
Private Peter Anderson, 11th then 12th Battalion Royal Scots, enlisted in Edinburgh in 1915 aged 21. He was a Coal miner. He was born on 4.8.1893 in Selkirk to George, a Baker Journeyman and Ann Anderson ms Brown. He had 2 Sisters and 3 Brothers. His Mother died on 26.11.1893 of Peritonitis and Jaundice. His Father remarried a widow in 1899, Marjory Yule ms Watson. She already had 7 Children. In 1901, Peter's Brother Tom, a baker,aged 22, was living in 13, The Loan, Queensferry, while Peter, aged 7, was in Edinburgh with Father, Stepmother and Siblings. On 3.5.1915 aged 20, Peter, a private in the Royal Scots, married Margaret Meikle. He enlisted 2 days later and was never to see his only son, born 8 days after his death. Peter was killed in action in France during the Arras Offensive, on 5.6.1917 aged 23. He is commemorated on Bay 1&2, Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. Although no link to Dalmeny has been established as yet, it is possible that Peter's Brother Tom, had his name put on the Dalmeny Memorial as it was erected before the Queensferry Memorial.
2nd Lieutenant William Campbell, 9th Royal Scots, enlisted in Edinburgh. He was born on 2.1.1895 in Edinburgh to Bruce, a Bank Clerk and Emeline Campbell, ms Robertson and had 2 Sisters. He grew up in Greenbank Place, Edinburgh and his Grandparents lived in Longreen Cottages, Dalmeny Park. His Grandfather was Clerk of Works in Dalmey Park and he died in 1911, of Heart Failure. His Grandmother had died in 1905 of Stomach Cancer. In the 1915 Valuation Roll, there are most likely two of Williams Uncles, Hugh, a Clerk of Works and William a Joiner, living in Longreen Cottages , Dalmeny Park in separate dwellings, (They had these occupations in 1891 Census, living in Longreen Cottages).
There is conflicting information in William's Service Records, so there is a possibility that they are a mix of two different William Campbells', however information below is as noted by the 'Commonwealth War Graves Commission'.
William died on 31.7.1917, aged 22, in Belgium. He is buried in Grave Ref: lll. K. 34. Essex Farm Cemetery, Leper, Belgium, and is also Commemorated on the Cramond Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and also the Military Cross for an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.
Sergeant Richard John Dickson, 7th Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, a Bank Clerk, having served his apprenticeship in Queensferry Branch of Clydesdale Bank, enlisted in Inverness in 1914 aged 20. He was born on 23.8.1894 in Easter Craigie, Dalmeny, to John, a Shepherd and Annie Dickson ms Thomson. He grew up in Dalmeny and was living in Dalmeny Home Farm in 1901 with his Parents and 2 Sisters. Richard was killed in action in France on 28.4.1917 aged 22 and is buried in Grave Ref: F.1. Tank Cemetery, Guemappe, Pas De Calais, France. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star and Victory and British War Medals.
Gunner Henry John Iorns, 3/7th Brigade (London) Royal Field Artillery, enlisted in Edinburgh in 1915. He was living in 10 Forth Terrace, Dalmeny at the time. He was born on 14.12.1885 in Tooting, Wandsworth, Surrey, to Louis, a Master Baker and Annie Iorns, ms Cory. He had 5 Brothers and 2 Sisters. The Family were living in Croyden in 1891, and his Parents and siblings were living in Middlesex in 1901. although his name is not on census form. On 17.8.1912, in Queensferry, Henry J Iorns, 25, Sick Bay Steward of HMS ‘Maine’ married Mary Dickson Coull, 22, Domestic Servant. They lived in Rosebery Buildings, Queensferry, then moved to Forth Terrace, Dalmeny. Their first child, born in 1912, died aged 18 months from Diptheria. They had another son born 1914 in Queensferry and a daughter born in 1915 in Dalmeny. Henry had signed up in 1908, for 12 years starting as Sick Bay Attendant Probationer but was pensioned off in 1913, leaving him free to enlist in the Army.
On 10.10.1917, Henry, aged 31, was reported Missing in France, then on the same day, as having Died of Wounds. He is buried in Grave ref: X1.J.8 in Dozinghem, Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Gunner Cummings Johnston, "C" Battery, 64th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, enlisted in Edinburgh, but living in Wester Craigie, Cramond Bridge, part of the Dalmeny Estate, with his Father. He was born on 13.10.1890 in Pinkie, Midlothian, to Cummings, a Gamekeeper and Janet Johnston, ms Stewart. He had 4 Brothers and 3 Sisters. In 1911, aged 20, he is a Ploughman living in a Farm Cottage in Prestonkirk, with his Parents and some of his Siblings, all working on the Farm. Cummings was killed in action on 14.7.1917, aged 27, in Belgium. He is buried in Grave Ref: 111.C.19. Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Leper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, and is also commemorated on Cramond and Corstorphine Memorials. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Corporal John Mackay of “C" Company, 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) enlisted in Perth in 1914. He was born in Dunning, Auterarder, Perthsire in May 1890 to Hugh and Ann Mackay ms Halle. He was one of 10 children. His Father was an Agricultural Labourer. By 1911 he was living in Dalmeny with his older brother Angus and was employed as a miner. He died in Belgium on 28th July 1917 age27. He is commemorated on panel 22 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. John was awarded the 1914/15, British War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal - second only to the Victoria Medal) for "conspicuous galantry in action".
Gunner William Brown Wales, 1/2nd Battery (Lancs) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, enlisted in Edinburgh and was listed as a resident of Dalmeny. He was born on 21.6.1876 in Aberdeen to David, a Slater and Margaret Wales ms Lees. He had 3 brothers and 4 sisters. In 1891 he was living in Aberdeen with his Parents and Siblings. By 1901 the family had moved to Liberton and William, aged 24, was employed as a Forester. Williams Father died of Tuberculosis on 10.7.1910, age 65, in South Lodge, Mortonhall, Liberton. In 1911 William is aged 34 and a Forester, living in Denny, as a Lodger with the Clark Family. In 1916 his Mother is living in Stable Yard, Dalmeny House. William lost two younger Brothers, Alexander, who emigrated to Canada and later joined the Canadian Infantry, was killed on 15.4.1917 and George, Seaforth Highlanders, was killed on 25.3.1918, leaving a Widow. Their names are not on the Dalmeny Memorial, but are on the Liberton Memorial. His Mother died on 15.9.1923 aged 74, of Heart Failure and Bronchitis, living at Wardlaw Place, Edinburgh.
William was killed in action on 12.8.1917, aged 41, in Belgium and is buried in Grave Ref: V1. D. 6. Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. He is also commemorated on Liberton Memorial, He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
Sergeant Robert Robertson, No: S/3646 of the 9th Battalion Black Watch, (Royal Highlanders), enlisted in Edinburgh. He first enlisted in South Queensferry on 16.11.1900, aged 21, as No: 8019, in the 2nd Black Watch. He was employed as a Miner.
Robert was born on 20.5. 1878 in Burdiehouse, Liberton, Midlothian. He died on 26.8.1917, aged 39, in Belgium. He is commemorated on Dalmeny and Liberton Memorials. His parents were James Robertson, a Coal Miner and Jane Robertson, ms Fowler. He had 2 Sisters and 3 Brothers, Henry-c1883, of 1st Bat Black Watch, died 11.11.1914 in France and John-c1888, a Coal Miner, died from a Cerebral Heamorrhage, 24.3.1908 aged 19, in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Robert grew up in Burdiehouse,Liberton, by In 1901 aged 21, he is a Private in the 2nd Royal Highlanders, in Panmure Barracks, Montrose.
His Mother died in Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, usual address, Loanhead, on 20.11.1915, aged 62, from Strangulated Femeral Hernia and Heart Failure.
In the 1920 Valuations there is a James Robertson, listed as Tenant in 17 Railway Row, Dalmeny, Foreman with the Dalmeny Oil Co. There is every possibility that this may be Roberts Father.
Robert served in South Africa and India. On 15.11.1912 he was discharged from his period of engagement. He then enlisted with The 9th Black Watch. Robert lost his life on 26.8.1917 aged 39. during the Battle of Ypres He is Commemorated on Panel 94 -96, Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Robert was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal, with Orange Free State and South Africa 1902 Bars. Also the British War Medal and Victory Medal. (His Medal Card states the 1914/15 star was given, but returned in 1920 as it was submitted in error).
© Queensferry History Group 2015