The Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

More details to follow

4 WW1 CWGC graves

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:20 am Post subject:

There are 4 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-18 war here. This burial ground also contains the collective grave of five unidentified members of the Merchant Navy, who lost their lives during the 1939-45 war. They were found on the deck of the M.V. Atheltemplar, which had been in flames after bombing by enemy aircraft on 1st March 1941, and had lost at sea a number of her crew.

Located to the south of Regent Road in Edinburgh, to the east of the Canongate kirkyard, is the New Calton Burial Ground. Opened in 1820, this cemetery was created in part to re-inter the remains which had been excavated from Old Calton Burial Ground to permit the building of Waterloo Place. It includes some early 18th Century monuments which had been brought from lost sections of the old cemetery and a watch-tower to guard against the theft of bodies for anatomical classes, a popular practice at the time. Notable residents include architect David Bryce (1803-76).

Accessed in to the Burial Ground is from its north-west corner, near the Burns Monument on Regent Road, the New Burial Ground is located on sloping ground down to the cobbled Calton Road. This is the only access to the cemetery. There is fee paid parking on Regent Road.

This cemetery is frequented by gay men and evidence of their liasions can be found all over this, otherwise lovely cemetery.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:21 am Post subject:

Arthur's Seat and Hollyrood House can be seen in the background.

The Scottish Parliment can be seen in the background

The "Body Snatchers" Watch Tower!

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:21 am Post subject:

HARKNESS, RICHARD
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: London Recruiting Depot
Date of Death: 09/01/1921
Service No: 333862
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: In North-East part.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (NEW CALTON) BURIAL GROUND

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:22 am Post subject:

MILLER, MAURICE
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 05/08/1917
Additional information: Son of Sarah Stewart Miller, of II, Brandon St., Edinburgh, and the late Morris Miller. Born at Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Near East boundary.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (NEW CALTON) BURIAL GROUND

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:23 am Post subject:

PATTISON
Initials: C E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Date of Death: 02/04/1918
Additional information: Son of Mr. F. G. Pattison, of Winona, Ontario, Canada.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: In South-East part.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (NEW CALTON) BURIAL GROUND

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:23 am Post subject:

RODEN, PATRICK
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Secondary Regiment: Labour Corps
Secondary Unit Text: transf. to (248691) 404th Agricultural Coy.
Age: 39
Date of Death: 12/07/1918
Service No: 35485
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Ann Layden Roden; husband of Margaret McGachie Roden, of 5, Lauriston St., Edinburgh. Born at Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: In South-East part.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (NEW CALTON) BURIAL GROUND

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:03 am Post subject:

The grave of 5 unknown Merchant Seamen who died onboard MV Atheltemplar on 1st March 1941. They are unknow as their bodies were burned during the attack.

The MV Atheltemplar was a motor tanker built by Lithgows, Port Glasgow. Launched on 15 April 1930, she was initially operated by the United Molasses Co Ltd of London but homeported in Liverpool, and was officially transferred to Athel Lines on 1 January 1940.
Atheltemplar’s first recorded voyage during the Second World War was to Abadan on the Persian Shatt al-Arab. She departed home waters with Convoy OB 10 and returned to Gibraltar with her cargo before sailing east again to Port Said.
Atheltemplar returned to Great Britain with Convoy HG 9 which departed Port Said on 19 November 1939, but on the afternoon of 14 December 1939, she struck a mine laid by German destroyers off the Tyne Estuary. The destroyers HMS Kelly and HMS Mohawk were dispatched as escorts for the rescue tugs Great Emperor, Joffre and Langton. During the operation, Kelly also struck a mine and sustained damage to her hull. While Mowhawk put a party aboard Atheltemplar, and Joffre and Langton took the tanker under tow, Kelly herself was taken in tow by Great Emperor and returned to the Tyne.
After repairs, Atheltemplar returned to operations on 9 April 1940 and sailed to Bermuda before returning to home waters with Convoy HX 42. During late May and early June 1940 she was involved in Operation Dynamo, during which she bunkered RN destroyers and was attacked by the Luftwaffe several times in and around Dover Harbour. More transatlantic crossings followed, including a homeward-bound voyage in the ill-fated Convoy HX 84 which was attacked by the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer; fortunately, Atheltemplar and her sister-ship Athelempress managed to escape unscathed.
Atheltemplar then undertook a series of coastal voyages in home waters before undergoing refit in Smith's Yard, North Shields, during the winter of 1940-41. Sailing for Methil Roads on 25 February 1941, she joined the 26-ship Convoy EN 79 which departed Methil on 1 March 1941, bound for the Atlantic convoy marshalling area at Loch Ewe on the west coast of Scotland. Sailing northbound in ballast, Atheltemplar - nominated the convoy's Vice-Commodore ship - was positioned at the head of the starboard column of vessels when, with darkness falling, Convoy EN 79 was attacked off the Aberdeenshire coast by Heinkel He 111 bombers from the Luftwaffe's KG26, a combat group based in Denmark. Atheltemplar bore the brunt of the attack and was struck on the navigation bridge superstructure by two 250 kg bombs; at least five members of the crew were killed instantly (12 crew died during the incident), and a fire swept the vessel forcing the survivors to abandon ship. (Convoy WN 91, sailing towards Convoy EN 79 and about 35 miles north, was attacked at about the same time by another He 111 and the SS Forthbank was seriously damaged.) One of the He 111s was hit by defensive fire from SS Tewkesbury, and subsequently ditched off the Banffshire coast; the crew were captured and became Prisoners of War. Atheltemplar’s survivors were taken aboard HMS Leda. HMS Speedwell fought the blaze and then took Atheltemplar in tow. Taken initially to the Imperial Dock at Leith, Atheltemplar later returned to Smith's Dock for extensive repairs; she resumed trading in June 1941.

During the Second World War she was used on convoys to carry fuel to the northern Soviet port of Archangel. She was part of Convoy PQ 18 which departed Loch Ewe on 2 September 1942.[1] This was the next attempt to supply the Soviet Union since the disastrous losses sustained by the previous Convoy PQ 17. The Atheltemplar, carrying 9,400 tons of Admiralty fuel oil plus 63 tons of dry stores, was to travel with the convoy to Archangel via Hvalfjörður, Iceland, commanded by her Master, Carl Ray.
The convoy was spotted by German aircraft on 10 September; then on 12 September, Royal Navy Sea Hurricane fighters - flying from the escort carrier HMS Avenger - drove off a Luftwaffe Bv138 flying boat which was attempting to shadow the convoy. Luftwaffe patrol aircraft returned the following day to vector U-boats towards the convoy. At about 08:30 BST (GMT +2) on 13 September, two ships were attacked by U-boats, one sinking within minutes. Later, at about 11:00 , several Luftwaffe Ju-88 bombers of KG30 (based at Petsamo) attacked PQ 18. A series of U-boat alerts followed, and then at about 15:00 a large formation of He 111s and Ju 88s of KG26 attacked with bombs and at least 30 torpedos; eight of the convoy's ships were sunk. Further air attacks occurred at 21:00hrs, during which one of Atheltemplar’s gunners succeeded in downing a Ju 88. At 03:10 hours on 14 September, U-457 managed to penetrate the protective ring of escorts and attacked the convoy southwest of Bear Island. Despite reporting the sinking of one tanker and one other ship, and having damaged a Javelin-class destroyer, the U boat's only success was to have torpedoed the Atheltemplar.
The crew immediately abandoned the burning tanker. The master, 42 crew members and 18 gunners were picked up by the British rescue ship Copeland and the destroyer HMS Offa. They were then transferred to the minesweepers HMS Harrier and HMS Sharpshooter, and later the cruiser HMS Scylla. Atheltemplar settled low at the stern but, although disabled, appeared to be capable of remaining afloat. HMS Harrier briefly took Atheltemplar in tow but, as a prolonged tow of the ship would have been foolhardy given the constant enemy threat, it was decided that the Atheltemplar should be scuttled. This task was delegated to HMS Tartar, which attempted (but failed) to sink Atheltemplar with gunfire and depth charges, before returning to the convoy. Then, at 14.30 hours, U-408 came across the capsized wreck of the Atheltemplar, by now drifting north of Bear Island,[2] and sank her with her 88 mm gun in position 76°00′N 18°00′E76°N 18°E. The survivors of the Atheltemplar were landed at Scapa Flow, 16 crew members later dying from their injuries. The master of the rescue ship Copeland, W.J. Hartley, was awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea, for his actions in rescuing the crew of the Atheltemplar.
By the time of her sinking, Atheltemplar had completed at least 19 wartime Atlantic crossings, had sailed some 102,500 miles, and delivered 140,200 tons of essential fuel oil and molasses. Seventeen men died aboard her during the War.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:41 am Post subject:

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject:

BRYSON, JAMES HARVEY
Initials: J H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery
Unit Text: "Y" 24th Trench Mortar Bty.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/10/1918
Additional information: Only son of Robert and Elliot Bryson, of Dunmara, Bourne End, Bucks. Educated at Kenley and Aldenham. A Cadet in the O.T.C. Born at Antigua, British West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 18.
Cemetery: CAMBRAI EAST MILITARY CEMETERY

This family grave is in 3 parts.
(middle)
This tablet was erected A.D 1857 by the family of the late Robert Bryson F.R.S.E to the memory of Alexander Bryson who died A.D 1823 aged 83 years and of Helen Cockburn his spouse who died A.D 1825 aged 74 years, of Robert Bryson F.R.S.E their son who was for a period of nearly fifty years watchmaker in Edinburgh and died 8th August 1852 aged 74. Janet Gillespie his wife died 17th December 1858 aged 70 years and of Alexander Bryson, watchmaker, F.R.S.E their eldest son who died at Hawkhill 7th December 1866 aged 50 years and Margaret Muir their eldest daughter who died 4th October 1873 aged 52 and Margaret Ormiston (Peggy) upwards of fifty years a faithful servant in the family died 19th July 1874 aged 73.

(Left)
The burial place of James M Bryson who died 6th January 1894 aged 69 years. Mary Dunn his wife died 30th August 1902 aged 67 years. James died 3rd January 1870 aged 9 months, Jessie Gillespie died 2nd September 1875 aged 15 years, Maggie Bannatyne died 27th May 1880 aged 21 years and in proud and loving memory of James Harvey Bryson 2nd Lt R.F.A who fell in action in France. Interred at East Cambrai, son of Robert Bryson, Antigua and grandson of the above James M Bryson. David Dunn Bryson died 26th Jany 1939 aged 77 years. Mary Dunn Bryson widow of Peter Bonthron died 30th April 1939 aged 75 years.

(Right)
In memory of Elizabeth W Gillespie wife of Alexander Bryson F.R.S.E who died 10th April 1855 aged 41 years. To know her duty and to do it was her only care. Her children, Elizabeth Gillespie Bryson died 26th May 1850 aged 3 1/2 years, Jessie Agnes Bryson died 22nd January 1852 aged 1 1/2 years, Catherine M Bryson his second wife died 10th September 1859 aged 32 years.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:38 pm Post subject:

CHRISTISON, FREDERICK JOHN
Initials: F J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 04/12/1915
Additional information: Son of Surgeon-General Sir Alexander Christison, Bt., T.M.S., and Dame Florence Christison, of Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 12.
Cemetery: VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY

Lieutenant Frederick John Christison was born on 8 December 1894. He was the son of Sir Alexander Christison, 2nd Bt. and Florence Elworthy. He gained the rank of Lieutenant and Adjutant in the service of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

The grave stone is in 6 sections:
(mid top)
In memory of Alexander Christison Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh died 25th June 1820 aged 67 years. Interred in Greyfriars Churchyard and Margaret Johnston his wife died 20th November 1831 aged 71 years. John Christison, Advocate, Sheriff of Ayrshire died 11th June 1862 aged 73 years and Charlotte Katherine Clavering his wife died 27th June 1869 aged 79 years.

(mid bottom)
Frederick John 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highglanders, third son of Sir Alexander Christison Bt killed in the Great War 2nd Decemeber 1915 aged 20 years and buried Vlamertinghe Flanders.

(Right top)
Annie Brown wife of Alexander Christison MD Bengal Army died 21st September 1876 aged 47 years and Sir Alexander Christison M.D Surgeon General Indian Medical Service born 26th August 1828 died 14th October 1918 also of Florence Elworthy his second wife born 17th Novemeber 1861 died 9th December 1949. (see later post)

(Right bottom)
John Anthony Alexander (Johnnie) Captain D.W.R only son of General Sir Philip Christison 4th Bt killed in action in Burma July 1942 aged 24 years. (See later post)

(Left top)
Henrietta Sophia Brown wife of Professor Robert Christison died 9th January 1849 aged 43 years and Sir Robert Christison Baronet M.D, D.C.L, L.L.D Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in the University of Edinburgh 1822-1832 and of Materia Medica 1832-1877 died 27th January 1882 aged 84 years. John Christison W.S their third son died 12th November 1894 aged 62 years.

(Left bottom)
Edith Campbell widow of Dr Benjamin Bell and third daughter of Sir Alexander Christison Bt died 8th Fenruary 1935 aged 68 years.

In the same family plot is an other grave marker for Lieutenent F J Christison which reads:
In memory of Lieutenant F J Christison 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders died of wounds Dec 1915.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:51 pm Post subject:

CUNNINGHAM
Initials: J C
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Date of Death: 26/08/1918
Service No: 552264
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. A. 11.
Cemetery: VIS-EN-ARTOIS BRITISH CEMETERY, HAUCOURT

In loving memory of William Cunningham son of Patrick Brown Cunningham who died 9th January1919 in his 75th year. John Craigie Cunningham M.A his son who fell at Monchy-le-Preux on 26th August 1918 in his 33rd year and lies in the British Cemetery at Vis-en-artois France. Jean Craigie Cunningham his wife who died 21st November 1938 in her 88th year, his children Margaret Patricia Cunningham, Lady brebner who died at Edinburgh on 21st December 1974 in her 88th years. Professor Leslie Bennet Craigie Cunningham M.A, BSc PhD OBE FRSE who died at Stanmere on 31st August 1946 in his 52nd year.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject:

MACFARLANE-GRIEVE, ALWYN RONALD
Initials: A R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 17/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Florence E. Macfarlane-Grieve, of Toft Manor, Cambridge, and the late W. A. Macfarlane-Grieve.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 13.
Cemetery: HIGHLAND CEMETERY, ROCLINCOURT

In memory of William MacFarlane M.D, R.N who died 9th December 1868 aged 91 years and of his wife Margaret Verner who died 10th August 1862 aged 55 years also of their twin children William and Jane Handyside who died in early infancy July 1841. (see later post)

(Right side of pillar)
Also of thier daughter Jessie Jane Comfn MacFarlane who died 26th April 1902, interred in Brompton Cemetery and of their grand-daughter Evelyn Mary MacFarlane-Grieve who died 15th May 1914 aged 28 years, interred in Brompton Cemetery and of their grand-son Alwyn Ronald MacFarlane- Grieve Killed in Action 17th March 1917 aged 28 years, interred in Roclincourt Cemetery.

(Left side of pillar)
Also of their son William Alexander MacFarlane-Grieve died 8th April 1917 aged 73 years, interred in Brompton Cemetery and his wife Florence Emily died 26th December 1937 aged 74 years, interred in Toft Churchyard and of their grandson Reginald William MacFarlane-Grieve died 3rd July 1934 aged 47 years, interred at Sherborne

(Back of pillar)
Also of their grand-son Lieutenant Colonel Angus Alex MacFarlane-Grieve M.C, M.A died 2nd August 1970 aged 79 years, interred here and of his wife Sarah St Osyth Marcoliouth died 7th April 1974 aged 83 years and also his brother Gavin Malcolm MacFarlane-Grieve died 12th April 1974 aged 81 years. (See later post)

gourdongirl · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject:

CHRISTISON, JOHN ANTHONY ALEXANDER
Initials: J A A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 07/03/1942
Service No: 85908
Additional information: Son of General Sir Alexander Frank Philip Christison, 4th Bt., G.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., and of Lady Christison (nee Mitchell), of Melrose, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2. C. 1-4.
Cemetery: RANGOON WAR CEMETERY

The grave stone is in 6 sections:
(mid top)
In memory of Alexander Christison Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh died 25th June 1820 aged 67 years. Interred in Greyfriars Churchyard and Margaret Johnston his wife died 20th November 1831 aged 71 years. John Christison, Advocate, Sheriff of Ayrshire died 11th June 1862 aged 73 years and Charlotte Katherine Clavering his wife died 27th June 1869 aged 79 years.

(mid bottom)
Frederick John 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highglanders, third son of Sir Alexander Christison Bt killed in the Great War 2nd Decemeber 1915 aged 20 years and buried Vlamertinghe Flanders. (See above post)

(Right top)
Annie Brown wife of Alexander Christison MD Bengal Army died 21st September 1876 aged 47 years and Sir Alexander Christison M.D Surgeon General Indian Medical Service born 26th August 1828 died 14th October 1918 also of Florence Elworthy his second wife born 17th Novemeber 1861 died 9th December 1949. (see later post)

(Right bottom)
John Anthony Alexander (Johnnie) Captain D.W.R only son of General Sir Philip Christison 4th Bt killed in action in Burma July 1942 aged 24 years.

(Left top)
Henrietta Sophia Brown wife of Professor Robert Christison died 9th January 1849 aged 43 years and Sir Robert Christison Baronet M.D, D.C.L, L.L.D Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in the University of Edinburgh 1822-1832 and of Materia Medica 1832-1877 died 27th January 1882 aged 84 years. John Christison W.S their third son died 12th November 1894 aged 62 years.

(Left bottom)
Edith Campbell widow of Dr Benjamin Bell and third daughter of Sir Alexander Christison Bt died 8th Fenruary 1935 aged 68 years.