The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: DUNDEE & DISTRICT POST OFFICE

I have been trying to find this one for some time now. It is located in the new Post Office building in Meadowside, Dundee. It is visible to the public - framed in a lower glass panel at street level. Quite difficult to take due to sunlight/glass reflection/busy street etc.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject:

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING MEN OF THE DUNDEE & DISTRICT POSTAL SERVICE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

DUNDEE
A. BARCLAY PTE F. & F. Y.
J. BRADY PTE SCOTTISH RIFLES
R.H. BROWNLIE DRIVER A.S.C.
W.M. BURRY PTE LONDON REGT P.O.R.
M. CAVANAGH PTE A. & S. HIGHS
W. CANT PTE ROYAL IRISH RIFLES
J.R. CHRISTIE PTE R.S. FUSILIERS
W. DRYDEN PTE SEAFORTH HIGHS
L.J. GOUICK CPL R.W. KENTS
J. GREIG SGT KING'S L'POLL
W. HUNT L/CPL K.O.S.B.
W.S. IRELAND PTE ROYAL WARWICKS
W. MCKIRVINE SAPPER R.E.
W. LITTLE PTE LONDON REGT P.O.R.
J. MACDONALD PTE LOVAT SCOUTS
D.M. MACDOUGALL SAPPER R.E.
D.H. MCINTOSH SAPPER R.E.
J.M. MITCHELL CPL R.F.A.
R.L. MYLES SIGLR ROYAL HIGHS
P. ROWELL CPL ROYAL HIGHS
J. S ROBERTSON PTE GORDON HIGHS
W.B. SCOTT PTE LONDON REGT P.O.R.
J. SELLARS PTE LONDON REGT P.O.R.
A.M. STEWRT PIONEER R.E.
R.H. STRACHAN SGT WILTS. REGT
J. SUMMERS PTE ROYAL HIGHS
W.A. TAYLOR PTE LONDON REGT O.V.R.
G.P. WILSON SAPPER R.E.

ALYTH
R. ANDERSON L/CPL ROYAL HIGHS
J. BAIN SAPPER R.E.
J.P. MEECHIE PTE ROYAL HIGHS
G.O. SCOTT PTE GORDON HIGHS

BROUGHTY FERRY
A. MCELHONE SGT K.O.S.B.

WORMIT
G.V. NOAKES SGT ROYAL HIGHS

LONGFORGAN
W. DAVIDSON CPL R.A.M.C

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

In relation to the Alyth lads - Robert Anderson, James Bain and James Meechie are all on the Alyth War Memorial, George Scott is not.

Name: ANDERSON, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Age: 43
Date of Death: 09/05/1917
Service No: 3/3951
Additional information: Husband of Annie Anderson, of 7, Chapel St., Alyth, Perthshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 363.
Cemetery: KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY

THE ALYTH GUARDIAN: 01.06.17
L-Cpl. Robert Anderson, Black Watch (whose wife and family reside in Chapel Street) has been killed by a shell in a dug-out on 9th May.
L-Cpl. Anderson was, as a reservist, called up on the outbreak of war, when he was on the postal staff in Alyth.
He leaves a widow and two young children.
A sad incident in connection with the receipt of the information, was a letter of the same date from the deceased soldier alluding playfully to his little lassie’s birthday.
His staff captain wrote that he would miss his friend much; he would be buried beside the church, where many soldiers were buried.
Mrs Anderson has a sister widowed by the war.

Name: BAIN, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: Fifth Army Wireless Coy.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 12/04/1918
Service No: 149123
Additional information: Son of James and Helen Bain, of 222, Victoria Rd., Torry, Aberdeen.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: P. IX. H. 7A.
Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN

THE ALYTH GUARDIAN: 26.04.18
Sapper James Bain, R.E. (brother of Miss Bain, Old Schoolhouse, Eassie) has died from wounds received in action. Deceased was employed at Alyth Post Office when he joined the Army.

Name: MEECHIE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: 8271
Additional information: Of Alyth, Perthshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 78 to 83.
Cemetery: LOOS MEMORIAL

BLAIRGOWRIE ADVERTSIER: 09.10.15
On Saturday intimation was received that Pvt. James P. Meechie, Black Watch, a Reservist, and who previous to having been called up was a town postman, had been killed in action in France by the bursting of a shell. He is survived by a widow and child who reside in Cairnleith Street, Alyth.

Name: SCOTT, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: * 31/08/1914
Service No: 9852
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 7.
Cemetery: CAUDRY OLD COMMUNAL CEMETERY

BLAIRGOWRIE ADVERTISER: 31.07.15
It has been officially reported that Private George Scott, 1st Gordon Highlanders, who was a reservist, and before being called up was a postman at Alyth, has been killed in action. *He had been missing since 10th September. His parents reside at 41, Rosebank Street , Dundee.

* Slight discrepency with dates

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject: Sig. Russel Low Myles

Private (Signaller) Russel Low Myles is also on the Barry and Erskine church memorials. He features in the Arbroath Roll of Honour book.

(Glasgow Herald 4th of October 1915)
"Signaler Russel Myles, of the 4th Black Watch, who has died of wounds, was formrly a postman in Dundee. His mother resides at 6 Panmure Street."

CWGC
Name: MYLES, RUSSELL LOW
Initials: R L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private (Signaller)
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 26/09/1915
Service No: 2377
Additional information: Son of William Low Myles and Elizabeth Myles, of Linfield Cottage, West Ferry, Dundee. Native of Carnoustie, Forfarshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 4.
Cemetery: LA GORGUE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

SNWM
Surname: MYLES
Firstname: Russell Law (Low)
Service Number: 2377
Date Death: 25/09/1915
Place of birth: Carnoustie
Other: 4th Bn.
SNWM roll: THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS)
Rank: Pte
Theatre of death: F.& F.

Cheers,
Derek.

Lindsay · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 108

DUNDEE POSTAL WAR MEMORIAL.
HUGE CROWD WITNESSES UNVEILING.
An Extremely Creditable Record.

The unveiling of Dundee postal war memorial, which took place yesterday afternoon formed the most notable event of its kind which has yet taken place in the city.

An open-air ceremony, it was witnessed by a huge crowd assembled in front of the Post Office in Meadowside, and the proceedings were throughout of a memorable character. The ceremony of unveiling the memorial was performed by Lady Baxter, and Brigadier-General Price, Director of the Army Postal Service, paid a striking tribute to the patriotic services of the Dundee staff

An Artistic Tablet.
The memorial, which has been erected on the left of the main entrance to the Post Office, has been effected in tablet of bronze of a highly artistic design, with a nominal roll of the fallen - thirty-six in number - inscribed on the panels, while a splendid representation of a Highlander, in a mournful attitude, creates an impressive central feature.

In addition to the Royal Standards, the tablet is further adorned by the insertion of the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock, while an inverted torch, reviving an ancient symbol, appended to each pilaster.

The bronze tablet is only one of the tangible results which have accrued from the Dundee Postmen's War Memorial Fund, which was inaugurated at a meeting of the Outdoor Branch of the Postmen's Federation on 14th May, 1916, and which owes much of its success to the energy and enthusiasm of its secretary, Mr David Turnbull.

In front of the memorial tablet a platform had been erected, and close at hand seating accommodation was reserved for relatives of the men who had fallen.

Mr J. E. Coulson, postmaster, presided, and amongst those present were - Sir George W. Baxter, Bart., and Lady Baxter; Sir James Urquhart and Lady Urquhart; Brigadier-General Price; Bailies Macdonald (representing Lord Provost Sir William Don), Smith. Archer, and Neave; Councillors M Grady, Halley, Ramsay, John Reid, Aimer, and Ogilvie; Mr and Mrs G. K. Smith, Ballomill; Mr W. Norman Boase; Mrs Coulson; Rev. A. W. Fergusson; Mr W. Burns, R.W.M., Camperdown Masonic Lodge; &c.

Headed by the Camperdown Masonic Pipe Band, under Pipe-Major Alex. Kay, a large number of the outdoor staff marched from Court House Square to the Post Office, and took up their position while the pipers were playing " The Flowers of the Forest."

The Chairman said they wanted the tablet to stand as a permanent record of their esteem and love and respect for the men who had made the noblest sacrifice ever men could make on behalf of their fellow-men

The Men Who Fell.
After the 66th Paraphrase had been sung, the praise being led by Dundee Select Choir under the leadership of Mr Henry Marshall, Lady Baxter pulled aside the Union Jack and revealed the memorial, the centrepiece of a wealth of beautiful flowers. A prayer of dedication was offered up by Rev. A. W. Fergusson, after which Sergeant A. Macnaughton, D.C.M., M.M. - a postman - read the following names which are inscribed on the tablet:-

DUNDEE.
Pte. A. Barclay, F. and F.Y.; Pte. J Brady, Scottish Rifles; Driver R. H. Brownlie, A.S.C.; Pte. W. M. Burry, London Regiment PO R; Pte M. Cavanagh, A. and S. Highs.; Pte. W. Cant, Royal Irish Rifles; Pte. J.R. Christie, R.S. Fusiliers; Pte. W. Dryden, Seaforth Highs.; Corpl L. J. Gouick, R.W. Kents; Sergt. J. Greig, King's Liverpool; L.-Corpl. W. Hunt, K.O.S.B.; Pte. W S. Ireland, Royal Warwicks; Sapper W. M'K. Irvine, R.E.; Pte. W. Little, London Regiment P.O.R.; Pte. J. Macdonald, Lovat Scouts; Sapper D. M. Macdougall, R.E.; Sapper D. H. M'lntosh, R.E.; Corpl J. M. Mitchell. R.F.A.; Signaller R. L. Myles, Royal Highs.; Corpl. P. Rowell, Royal Highs.; Pte. J. S. Robertson, Gordon Highs.; Pte. W. B. Scott, London Regiment P.O.R.; Pte. J. Sellars, London Regiment P.O.R.; Pioneer A. M. Stewart, R.E.; Sergt. R. H. Strachan, Wilts Regiment; Sergt. D. M. Strathearn, Gordon Highs.: Pte .J. Summers, Royal Highs.; Pte. W. A. Taylor, London Regiment Q.V.R.; Sapper G. R. Wilson, R.E.

ALYTH.
L.-Corpl. R, Anderson, Royal Highs.; Sapper J. Bain, R.E.; Pte. J. P. Meechie, Royal Highs.; Pte. G. O. Scott, Gordon Highs.

BROUGHTY FERRY.
Sergt. A. M'Elhone, K.O.S.B.

WORMIT.
Sergt. G. V. Noakes, Royal Highs.

LONGFORGAN.
Corpl. W. Davidson, R.A.M.C.

"Lochaber No More" was played by Pipe-Major Kay, and the huge crowd was hushed to silence, but immediately afterwards there broke forth the strains of the glorious hymn, " For All the Saints."

The Golden Thread.
Lady Baxter, in the course of an eloquent speech, in which she asked Brigadier-General Price to take custody of the memorial, said that during the war the postal service was a golden thread linking the far-away theatres of war to their hearts, which waited as women had never waited before for news of their loved ones at the front.

Brigadier-General Price said he thought they might claim with all humility that to an appreciable extent the efforts of the Post Office did in the end contribute to the glorious success of our army. No less than 80 per cent. of the fit men of the Post Office service volunteered in the early part of the campaign, and up to the time of the General Service Act in March, 1916, 52,000 men had been enrolled, and unfortunately 8842 did not return. The number of men who eventually served amounted to 90,000 - the equivalent of a very considerable number of divisions - and from one Department that was an extremely creditable record.

Dundee occupied one of the proudest positions in Scotland. From the head office and sub-offices 240 men were on military service, and it was the fact that practically all the male staff who were of military age and physically fit served in the war. (Applause.)

Votes of thanks were proposed by Bailie Macdonald. The air, "Victory." was played by the pipes, and after the benediction had been pronounced the "Last Post” was sounded. Before the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem Postman Thomas M'Donald, late 1st Gordon Highlanders, was presented by Brigadier-General Price with the Military Medal

Dundee Courier, Monday 28 June 1920

Keptie · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject: dundee postmen

Not included on the Dundee postie war memorial is

Gdsm 6461 James McHardy BIRSE , Scots Guards who died of wounds on 8th November 1918 at Dundee Royal Infirmary . recorded on his death certificate as POSTMAN ( army pensioner ) . Home address 16 Annfield St Dundee

Dundee Fife & perth Peoples Journal of 21st Nov 1914 records heading as DUNDEE POSTMAN In the hands of the Germans ( POW wounded )

Buried in Balgay Cemetery in Dundee

(pat w anderson

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: dundee postmen

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

There is a gravestone at Drumnadrochit Churchyard which gives more details about him, which reads-

ERECTED BY/MARGARET MACDOUGALL/IN MEMORY OF/HER DEARLY BELOVED/BROTHER/DON. MACDOUGALL/SAPPER R.E. SIGNALS/1ST 3RD INDIAN ARMY,/FORMERLY POSTAL CLERK/DUNDEE,/AND YOUNGEST SON OF/HUGH MACDOUGALL,/OF GLENURQUHART/KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE/NEAR KUT,/MESOPOTAMIA,/ON THE 17TH JULY 1916/AGED 26 YEARS

See-
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic892-0-asc-15.html