The Scottish War Graves Project

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:16 am Post subject: Dryburgh Abbey,

There are no CWGC graves within this churchyard.

Dryburgh Abbey is very peaceful and picturesque. The Abbey was founded in the 12th century and destroyed in 1322, 1385 and finally in 1544, it belonged to the monks of the Premonstratensian Order.
It is the last resting place of Sir Walter Scott and Earl Haig, the World War 1 Field Marshal.

In the care of Historic Scotland and has a 5 star grading

OS ref: NT 591317

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:27 am Post subject:

Douglas Haig was born in Edinburgh on 19 June, 1861, the youngest son of an ancient Fife family. After Oxford and Sandhurst, he fought in the South African War under Lord Kitchener. He went to France in August 1914 and took part in all the early battles of the First World War.
In December 1915 he became the commander-in-chief of all the British forces in France, a position he held till the end of the war. He was regarded as a calm optimist but because of his shyness he never addressed his troops and indeed was not often seen by them.

He won a number of decisive battles, including Mons and Ypres during the conflict (but at a huge cost in dead and wounded). He introduced tanks for the first time in 1916 and it was his assault on the Hindenburg Line which finally brought the war to a close in 1918.

He was made an Earl in 1919 and devoted the rest of his life to caring for the wounded and bereaved - he founded the charity British Legion in 1921. He died on 29 January 1928 and, at his request, was buried in Dryburgh Abbey, near his estate of Bemersyde. Instead of a large expensive memorial, he insisted on having a simple headstone like the many who were buried on the battlefields of France.

Front of the stone reads - Douglas Haig born in Edinburgh June 19th 1861. Departed out of this world Sunday Jan 29th 1928. "He trusted in God and tried to do right"

Back of the stone

He is buried beside his wife, Dorothy Maud. She also has a similar grave stone. The stone reads - Dorothy Maud his wife born 9th July 1879 died 17th October 1939 "God never changes".

The plaque reads: The headstone on the Field Marshal's grave is the same as those placed in many lands over his comrades who fell in the Great war.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:32 am Post subject:

Just in front of where Earl Haig is buried can be found a Cross of Sacrifice.

This Cross of Sacrifice is identical with those which stand above the dead of Lord Haig's Armies in France and Flanders.

In this photo you can see the Cross of Sacrifice just behind Earl haig's grave.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:08 am Post subject:

Just beside the grave of Earl Haig, can be found that of The Erskines of Shielfield.

The Burial Ground of the Erskines of Shielfield.
Dr Patrick Erskine of Shielfield died in August 1777. The Rev James Erskine died October 1788 aged 55. Henrietta Scott his spouse died 9th August 1818 aged 79.
Colonel Henry Erskine their eldest son died 9th November 1819 aged 50.

Charles Erskine their second son died 26th January 1825 aged 54. Helena infant daughter of Charles Erskine died 1st April 1814 in her 2nd year. Katherine and George children of James Erskine eldest son of Charles Erskine died in infancy. Barbara Pott spouse of Charles Erskine 19th april 1851 aged 69. Henriatta Erskine daughter of Charles Erskine 10th April 1860 aged 51. Christina Erskine daughter of The Rev James Erskine died 24th May 1860 aged 87. Jane Coventry wife of George Pott Erskine, son of Charles Erskine died 14th March 1861 aged 38.
Lieutenant Colonel George Pott Erskine died 24th June 1865 aged 51.

Jane Barbara Erskine only daughter of Lieutenant Colonel G. P Erskine died 18th Octobet 1866 aged 19, James Erskine of Shielfield eldest son of Charles Erskine died 30th June 1875 aged 65. Barbara Pott wife of James Erskine died 24th May 1886 aged 76. Barbara Erskine eldest daughter of Charles erskine died 6th february 1882 aged 74, Charles Erskine of Shielfield son of James Erskine died 29th December 1905 in her 62nd year of his age. Margaret Catherine Alderman wife of Charles Erskine died 9th December 1948 in her 94th year.

gourdongirl · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:20 am Post subject:

Lieut Colonel Sir Walter Scott of Abbotsford 2nd Baronet died at sea 8th August 1847 aged 45. His widow placed this stone over his grave.

Dame Jane Jobson his widow died at London 19th March 1877 aged 76.

SIR WALTER SCOTT, second Baronet, of Abbotsford, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Fifteenth Hussars was born October 28th 1801 and married, February 3rd 1825 to Jane, daughter and heiress of John Jobson, of Lochone, Fifeshire. He at the Cape of Good Hope, February 8th 1847, when the Baronetcy became extinct, and the estate devolved on his nephew.

A Memorial Tablet for him can be found in in St Mark's Church in Bangalore, India.

gourdongirl · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:10 am Post subject:

Erected by son Robert Forson In memory of David Forson who died at Dryburgh November 16 1862 aged 63, Elizabeth Thomson his wife died March 28th 1882 aged 75, william their son died March 27th 1842 aged 11, an other son William born 27th November 1842 died at Broughty-Ferry 23rd November 1911 and was interred there. His son William born 29th June 1877 Master of SS Ava was lost at sea through enemy action 1917,

The above Robert 1851 - 1909 buried in Rutherglen, his son Capt Alexander RNR 1889 - 1932, Buried at sea.

FORSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Master
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: "Ava"
Date of Death: 26/01/1917
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

gourdongirl · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:20 am Post subject:

In loving memory of William Murray Threipland DSO of Dale and Toftingall Caithness, born Sunlaws Roxburgh 21st December 1866 died Dryburgh Abbey 24th June 1942. Colonel Welsh Guards. The Regiment he raised at Kings Command Feb 1915.

William-Scott Kerr, (second son of William of Sunlaws, Kelso and Chatto, Roxburgh), abandoned his patronymic and assumed the surname of Murray Threipland, on 30 April 1882, after having inherited Fingask Castle and Dale House from an aunt. Having served in the Grenadier Guards, which he joined in 1887, seeing action in the Nile (1898), and South Africa (1899-1902), he became the founding colonel commanding of the Welsh Guards in February 1915, and was its Colonel from March 1937. He was a member of the Guards Club, and of Edinburgh's New Club. Educated in Edinburgh he was also resident at Dale House, Halkirk, Caithness and 11 Evelyn mansions, Carlisle place, SW1. He married in 1899 Charlotte Eleanor, co-heiress of William Wyndham Lewis, Esq, of The Heath, and New House, Glamorgan.

gourdongirl · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:32 am Post subject:

Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Major-General sir Walter Maxwell-Scott of Abbotsford, born 10th April 1875 died 3rd April 1954 and his wife Mairi Richmond MacDougal born 25th June 1892 died 9th January 1924.

Major-General Sir Walter Maxwell-Scotts stone is on the right.

gourdongirl · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:37 am Post subject:

There are no further Military graves at Dryburgh Abbey.