1914-1919
The Service Roll is different from the Roll of Honour in that it shows the names & a short statement of service of all members of staff of the RBGE who, at the call of duty, joined H.M. Naval & Military Forces for the war which began in August 1914, as published in our Journal, the Notes of the Royal Botanic Garden. The names with an asterisk belong to those killed during the conflict.
“At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the appeal for H.M. Forces met with ready response from the Staff of the Royal Botanic Garden. Before many weeks had passed every fit man who would be accepted had left for service. At the time the Garden Staff was one of 110 members, of whom one-fifth were women. Of the men, 73 joined the Forces. Over a fourth of these have given their lives for their country. The publication of this list as an Official Record of the Garden will preserve for all time the story of the loyalty of our Garden Staff, and will carry, it is hoped, to the relatives and friends of those of the Staff who fell in the War the message that the devotion and self-sacrifice of these men is a living memory which we cherish and desire to perpetuate. And no less, we trust, will those who have borne their share of the burden and who are still with us accept this tribute of recognition of what they have done for us.”
Notes of the Royal Botanic Garden, vol. XII, 1919–1921
Joined staff of Garden as Helper, 12 April 1912. Enlisted Royal Scots, 17 January 1917. Rank: Private. Later, Machine Gun Corps. Service in field in Flanders, three months.
Killed in action, 21 March 1918.
Joined staff of Garden as Helper, 1 July 1903. Assistant in Studio, August 1914. Enlisted Royal Garrison Artillery, 17 January 1917. Rank: Bombardier. Later, Royal Air Force: Lieutenant. Service in field in Flanders, twelve months.
Demobilised, 3 February 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 31 July 1907. Mobilised, 6 August 1914, 2nd Scots Guards. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, nine months.
Killed in action, 16 May 1915.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 11 May 1914. Enlisted 11th Black Watch, 16 November 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in France [Flanders], one year. Once wounded.
Killed in action 3 March 1917.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 2 December 1912. Enlisted 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Transferred 9th Division Cycle Corps: Sergeant. Later, Seaforth Highlanders: Captain. Service in field, one year, seven months. Wounded 13 November 1916. “Special Mention,” Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 31 May 1918.
George Ballantine
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 13 May 1914. Enlisted Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 29 October 1914. Rank: Captain and Quartermaster. Service in field in Flanders, two years, six months. Two mentions in despatches.
Demobilised, 18 August 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 28 August 1911. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, about five months.
Missing, presumed killed in action, 25 September 1915.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 2nd October 1913. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1 September 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, four months.
Died of wounds, 7 March 1916.
George Brown
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 21 July 1914. Enlisted 9th Royal Scots, 9 November 1915. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, two years. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 7 March 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 August 1914. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field, Egypt and Palestine, about one year.
Killed in action, Palestine, 24 November 1917.
Robertson Brown
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 10 September 1913. Enlisted 2nd Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, ten months. Once wounded, 11 March 1915.
Henry Howden Bryce
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 13 January 1913. Enlisted 14th Royal Scots, 28 February 1916. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, twelve months. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 18 September 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 27 June 1912. Enlisted Royal Field Artillery, 7 May 1915. Rank: Gunner. Service in field in Flanders, about two years.
Died of wounds, 13 September 1918.
James John Campbell
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener in training, 17 April 1905. Sub-foreman. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Transferred 11th Royal Scots. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, two years, six months.
Demobilised, 22 May 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 27 November 1912. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, about two years.
Died of wounds, 4 May 1917.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 3 August 1914. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 4 September 1914. Rank: Private.
Killed in action at Gallipoli, July 1915.
John Dykes
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 22 July 1914. Enlisted Royal Scots Fusiliers, 13 March 1915. Rank: Private.
Demobilised, 7 February 1919.
William Dykes
Joined staff of Garden as Boy, 3 August 1914. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Gallipoli and France, two years. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 7 January 1919.
Horace Ellwood
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 2 January 1913. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 13 September 1914. Rank: Private; later, Corporal. Service in field in Gallipoli, 1 year, 1 month. Twice wounded.
Demobilised, 26 February 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 December 1913. Enlisted 6th K.O.S.B., 28 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders and India, four years, two months.
Demobilised, 5 June 1919.
George Hugh Fothergill
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 16 December 1912. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 18 October 1915. Rank: 2nd Lieutenant. Service in field in Flanders, about eighteen months.
Frederick Fraser
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener, 14 October 1910. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Egypt, six months.
Discharged, 20 August 1915.
John Fraser
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 17 February 1913. Enlisted Royal Engineers, 18 August 1918. Rank: Pioneer.
Discharged, 11 December 1918.
Robert Garner
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 May 1914. Enlisted 2nd Royal Scots, 5 August 1914. Rank: Private. Later, 2nd A.M. RAF.
Demobilised, 24 April 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 2 January 1912. Enlisted Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Later, Royal Highlanders and Labour Corps. Rank: Private; later, Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, three years. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 17 February 1919.
Daniel Greenshields
Joined staff of Garden as Timekeeper, 1 May 1912. Mobilised, 2 August 1914, Royal Navy. Rank: Yeoman of Signals (Petty Officer). Service on Belgian Coast, East Africa, and Home Waters, full period of War. Once wounded. Distinguished Service medal.
Demobilised, 15 January 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 2 April 1914. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 1 September 1914. Rank: Private; later, Lance-Sergeant. Service in field: in Gallipoli, one year; in France, two years.
Killed in action, 8 March 1918.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 23 July 1914. Enlisted, 15 November 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, three years.
Killed in action, 9 April 1917.
John Henderson
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 January 1915. Enlisted 6th K.O.S.B., 12 September 1916. Rank: Private. Service in field, two years, seven months.
Demobilised, 5 November 1919.
John Hepburn
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 27 April 1914. Enlisted 3rd Royal Scots, 1 September 1914. Rank: Company Sergeant-Major, a/R.S.M.
Demobilised, 7 November 1919.
William John Hepburn
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 24 March 1913. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 5 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Lieutenant. Service in field in Flanders, about two and a half years.
Demobilised, 28 January 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 22 April 1914. Mobilised, 6 August 1914, 2nd Royal Scots. Rank: Private.
Killed in action in Flanders, 26 August 1914.
Douglas Hunter
Joined staff of Garden as Park-keeper, 28 July 1912. Enlisted Gordon Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Company Sergeant-Major.
Demobilised, 12 February 1919.
Henry Johnstone
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 13 August 1914. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 3 September 1914. Service in field in Egypt, Gallipoli, and Flanders, three years, nine months. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 29 January 1919.
James Todd Johnstone
Joined staff of Garden as Assistant in Library, 20 March1912. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots, 2 September 1914. Rank: Private; later, Sergeant. Later, in Royal Defense Corps & Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Demobilised, 23 February 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 December 1911. Enlisted Royal Army Medical Corps, 5 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Corporal. Service in field, Ward Orderly in No. 11 General Hospital, B.E.F., France.
Died in hospital, 19 May 1916.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 5 August 1913. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders and France, three years. Thrice wounded.
Demobilised, 15 March 1919.
Charles Lamont
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 20 August 1914. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Private; later, Corporal. Service in field in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. three years, ten months. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 31 January 1919.
John McMillan Lugton
Joined staff of Garden as Park-keeper, 13 January 1913. Enlisted Scottish Horse, 17 August 1914. Rank: Squadron Sergeant-Major. Service in field in Gallipoli, Egypt, Balkans, and France, three years. Twice wounded.
Demobilised, 2 February 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Stoker, 17 March 1909. Enlisted Scottish Horse, 4 September 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, about three years.
Died in hospital, 15 October 1918.
Alexander McCutcheon
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener, 25 February 1907. Foreman, 21 July 1919. Enlisted Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Gallipoli and Flanders, three years, ten months.
Demobilised, 27 January 1919.
William McNab
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 26 May 1904. Enlisted Scottish Horse, 27 August 1914. Rank: Private.
Demobilised, 16 October 1918.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 5 August 1913. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, four months.
Killed in action, 25 September 1915.
George Joseph Milne
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 24 April 1914. Mobilised, 5 August 1914, Highland Light Infantry. Rank: Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, three years, three months. Wounded.
Demobilised, 17 November 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener, 5 January 1910. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 2 September 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Gallipoli, three months.
Killed in action, 7 May 1915.
Alfred John Munday
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener, 2 January 1911. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 31 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Egypt and Flanders, four years, two months.
Demobilised, 14 May 1919.
James Murdison
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 August 1914. Enlisted Army Service Corps, 29 September 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, one year.
Demobilised, 17 May 1919.
William North
Joined staff of Garden as Hall Attendant, 23 June 1911. Enlisted 11th Royal Scots, 28 August 1914. Rank: Regimental Sergeant-Major. Service in field in France, six months.
Invalided home.
Joined staff of Garden as Implement Keeper, 6 February 1911. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Later, 3rd Gloucestershire Regiment: Lieutenant. Service in field in Flanders and France, three years. Twice wounded.
Demobilised, 17 July 1919.
Matthew Young Orr
Joined staff of Garden as Assistant in Laboratory, 4 August 1913. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots, 29 August 1914. Rank: Captain. Mentioned in despatches. Gazetted, 13 August 1918.
Demobilised, 17 April 1919.
John Preston
Joined staff of Garden as Park-keeper, 1 December 1908. Enlisted Seaforth Highlanders, 11 September 1914. Rank: Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
Demobilised, 13 March 1919.
James Reid
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 4 August 1913. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 2 September 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders and France, three years, eight months.
Demobilised, 26 January 1919.
John Reilly
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 July 1914. Enlisted Royal Scots, August 1914. Discharged, 1915. Re-enlisted, 1917. Rank: Private.
Demobilised, April 1919.
Philip Reilly
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 23 January 1902. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private.
Demobilised, 23 March 1919.
John Scotland
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 23 January 1907. Enlisted 6th Cameron Highlanders, 2 August 1915. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, three years. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 16 March 1919.
James Scott
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 24 July 1907. Enlisted Royal Marines, 1 June 1915. Rank: Private.
Demobilised, April 1919.
John Severn
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 8 April 1909. Mobilised, 5 August 1914, 1st Gordon Highlanders. Rank: Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, four months. Once wounded.
Discharged, 6 May 1916.
Edwin Lowther Sills
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 2 June 1913. Enlisted Gordon Highlanders, 25 August 1914. Rank: Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, two years, nine months.
Demobilised, 24 April 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Gardener, 4 January 1909. Enlisted 5th Royal Scots, 4 September 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Gallipoli, three months.
Killed in action, 11 June 1915.
James Stewart
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 10 March 1913. Enlisted Royal Scots Greys, 29 August 1914. Discharged on medical grounds, 28 November 1914. Rejoined Royal Garrison Artillery, 14 August 1917. Rank: Gunner. Service in field in Flanders, eighteen months.
Demobilised, 19 August 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 4 August 1913. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, four months.
Killed in action, 25 September 1915.
Laurence Baxter Stewart
Joined staff of Garden as Propagator, 22 January 1902. Enlisted 65th Division Cyclists, 7 June 1915. Rank: Quarter-master Sergeant.
Demobilised, 24 January 1919.
Joined staff of Garden as Assistant Head Gardener, 11 May 1908. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 28 March 1916. Rank: Private; later, Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, one year.
Killed in action, 18 September 1917.
Joined staff of Garden as Implement Keeper, 20 April 1914. Enlisted 5th Cameron Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, six months.
Killed in action, 25 September 1915.
Daniel Spence Sweeney
Joined staff of Garden as Hall Attendant, 1 June 1911. Enlisted 9th Royal Scots, 16 September 1914. Rank: Divisional Bandmaster. Service in field in Flanders, one year. Mentioned in despatches.
Demobilised, 22 February 1919.
George Tait
Joined staff of Garden as Park-keeper, 14 August 1911. Enlisted 1st Gordon Highlanders, 29 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, four years, two months.
Demobilised, 28 February 1919.
George Thomson
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 2 December 1913. Enlisted 7th Royal Scots, 29 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, one year, ten months. Twice wounded.
Demobilised, 17 February 1919.
James Stewart Tod
Joined staff of Garden as Packer, 3 November 1902. Enlisted 9th Royal Scots, 29 August 1914. Rank: Lance-Corporal. Service in field in Flanders, three years, eleven months. Once wounded.
Demobilised, 22 January 1919.
John White
Joined staff of Garden as Probationer, 9 December 1912. Enlisted 9th Royal Scots, 6 December 1914. Rank: Private. Later, Machine Gun Corps. Service in field in Flanders, one year, two months.
Demobilised, 15 February 1919.
James Henry White
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 5 February 1912. Enlisted K.O.S.B., 29 August 1914. Rank: Quartermaster Sergeant.
Demobilised, 8 April 1919.
Alexander Wilson
Joined staff of Garden as Park-keeper, 18 February 1913. Enlisted 2/1st Scottish Horse, 17 August 1914. Rank: Squadron Sergeant-Major.
Demobilised, 3 July 1919.
John Forsyth Wilson
Joined staff of Garden as Labourer, 5 December 1913. Enlisted Royal Field Artillery, 4 August 1914. Rank: Sergeant. Service in field in Flanders, three years, seven months. Twice wounded, once gassed. Mentioned in despatches.
Discharged, 7 January 1919.
Thomas Young
Joined staff of Garden as Patrol, 24 April 1914. Enlisted 1st Black Watch, 5 August 1914. Rank: Private. Service in field in Flanders, four years, six months.
Demobilised, 22 February 1919.
This record is completed by the names of members of the Staff who in fields other than Naval and Military devoted themselves to special service of the State during the War:
William Wright Smith
Joined staff of Garden as Assistant Keeper, 20 November 1911. Officer in Charge of Labour in Scotland to the Timber Supply Department of the Board of Trade, 1916–1918.
Harry Frank Tagg
Joined staff of Garden as Assistant in Museum, 22 January 1894. Scientific Officer in the Timber Supply Department of the Board of Trade, 1917–1918.