The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

The Scotsman - Wednesday, 22nd July 1925

BOTANIC GARDENS WAR MEMORIAL.

Sir Lionel Earle, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.M.G., Secretary of H.M. Office of Works, yesterday afternoon unveiled a memorial tablet to the twenty members of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens staff who gave their lives, in the Great War. The tablet is in the entrance hall of the laboratory. About a hundred relatives and members of the staff were present. Sir Lionel Earle said the memorial served a double purpose. Firstly, it was a lasting testimony to the members of the staff who sacrificed their lives for the great cause; and, secondly, it was a memorial to Sir Isaac Bayley-Balfour, late botanist, administrator, and agriculturist, who did so much for the Botanic Gardens. It had been Sir Isaac's last wish that a memorial to these men be placed in the entrance hall. The Rev. E. C. Houlston, B.D., officiated at the service, which concluded with the sounding of the "Last Post."

I am assuming this memorial still exists. I'm not sure if it is in one of the areas open to the public, or not. I have sent them a message via their website to see if there is an opportunity to photograph the memorial.

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject:

Location: Main Entrance, Botanic Gardens offices, 20a Inverleith Row
OS Ref: NT 248 755

Thanks to ADP for finding these memorials and arranging access

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:04 am Post subject:

Name: STEWART, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/14592
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Christina Stewart, of Carrick Place, Alloway, Ayr.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 119 to 124.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 20.11.1915
LOGIERAIT CAMERON MISSING

Mr and Mrs Peter Stewart, Hillview, Logierait, Ballinluig, have been officially notified that their only son, Lance-Corporal John Stewart, of the 5th Camerons (Lochiel's), has been missing since the great advance on 25th September. Prior to enlistment in August, 1914 Lance-Corporal Stewart was employed in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh, being previously a journeyman gardener with Mrs Arthur at Carrick House, Ayr. He served his apprenticeship in Ballechin Gardens, Ballinluig. He was 24 years of age.

THE STRATHEARN HERALD: 17.01.1917
LOGIERAIT MAN PRESUMED DEAD

Mrs Peter Stewart, late of Hillview, Logierait, Ballinluig, has been officially informed that her only son, Lance-Corporal John Stewart, Cameron Highlanders, who went amissing at Loos on 25th September, 1915, is now presumed dead. He enlisted in Lochiel's Regiment, and went to the front early in 1915.

* ALSO COMMEMORATED ALLOWAY WAR MEMORIAL, AYRSHIRE

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject:

Name: MENZIES, ALLAN
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders
Unit Text: "B" Coy. 5th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/11385
Additional information: Son of James and Mrs. Menzies, of 117, Scott St., Perth. A Forester in the Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 119 to 124.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

THE STRATHEARN HERALD: 20.11.1915
PERTH CASUALTIES

Mr James Menzies, King Edward Street, Perth, has received notice from the Record Office that his son, Private Alan Menzies, 5th Cameron Highlanders, is posted as missing since September 25th. Private Menzies, who is 21 years of age, enlisted in August, 1914.

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 10.02.1917
PERTH CASUALTIES

Private Alan Menzies, Cameron Highlanders, son of Mr and Mrs James Menzies, 24 King Edward Street, Perth, who has been missing since 25th September, 1915, is now presumed to have died on that date. He was 22 years of age, and prior to enlistment was employed in the Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 3:55 pm Post subject:

FAIRBAIRN, HARVEY OSWALD.
Rank:Flying Officer
Trade:Pilot
Service No:143285
Date of Death:10/07/1944
Age:27
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave ReferenceGrave 88.
CemeteryLONGSIDE CEMETERY (Aberdeenshire).
Additional Information:
Son of James and Elizabeth Fairbairn, of Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh.

GRIEVE, THOMAS STEEL GREENSHIELDS.
Rank:Flight Sergeant
Service No:1066320
Date of Death:10/08/1942
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
151 Sqdn.
Panel ReferencePanel 74.
MemorialRUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

McINNES, WILLIAM THOMAS HENDERSON.
Rank:Serjeant
Service No:2987765
Date of Death:24/10/1942
Age:26
Regiment/Service:Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7/10th Bn.
Grave ReferenceXXVI. G. 14.
CemeteryEL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of William and Mary McInnes, of Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire.

MITRA, BEJOY KRISHNA.
Rank:Sergeant
Trade:Air Gnr.
Service No:1560689
Date of Death:25/01/1944
Age:28
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave ReferenceColumn 2.
CemeteryCAMBRIDGE CREMATORIUM
Additional Information:
Son of Haridas Mitra and Sudhanshu Bala Mitra, of Calcutta, Bengal, India. Graduate of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh.
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject:

MOSELEY, HENRY WILLIAM.
Rank:Guardsman
Service No:2699776
Date of Death:01/10/1944
Age:32
Regiment/Service:Scots Guards
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceI, D, 13.
CemeteryCASTIGLIONE SOUTH AFRICAN CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Henry Richard and Emily Moseley; husband of Katharine Ann Lockhart Moseley, of Downfield, Dundee.
_________________
Ken

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

An article about the new Poppy Field at the Botanics indicates that 73 of their employees served in WW1-20 of whom died,as indicated above.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 3:38 pm Post subject:

The RBGE Blog has an article about Private David Hume listed on the First World War Plaque.

http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/12442

It also mentions George Fallow who had worked at the RBGE until the summer of 1914 and is not on the memorial.

Both men had plants named after them in their memory by plant collector George Forrest.

Adam