CWGC added the following 'new' WW1 casualties to its Debt of Honour database today – Thursday 11th December.

Pte Alexander BLAIKIE
1325 7th Bn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Died 23.11.16 Age 25
Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK

Pte Thomas Stalker HAPPER
2445 Lothians and Border Horse
Died 30.04.16 Age 19
Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK

Spr Robert SIMISTER
503941 Royal Engineers
Died 30.03.18
Commemorated: Pozieres Memorial, France

Pte Leslie Charles TYLER
M2/156669 Royal Army Service Corps
Died 17.07.19 Age 19
Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK

NOT FORGOTTEN

Pte HAPPER is another case from the In From The Cold Project. He died of pneumonia in Connaught Hospital, Farnborough, Hants. (Volunteer: Kevin O’Neill)

Pte BLAIKIE was put forward on 15.10.08 on behalf of member, Lost in Tilloy, and he will be able to tell the story.

May They Rest In Peace

Raising a glass to the memory of Alexander, Thomas, Robert & Leslie. Raising another to Kev & LIT for their efforts.

Pte Blaikie was born in Corstorphine in 1891 and he was an engineer by trade. The death certificate from the Registrar General for Scotland states that the cause of death was ‘Paraplegia from Gunshot wound 1½ years.’ He died whilst in the care of Ralston House in Paisley, which I believe was a home for paralysed soldiers and sailors. His parents were Thomas and Jane Blaikie of 18 Forth Street, Alloa, although the family address at the time of his death looks as though it was 33 Fenton Street, Alloa.

He enlisted into the 7th A&SH on 09/02/1911 in his home town. He was mobilized on 05/08/1914 and went to France with his battalion on 18/02/1915 and subsequently received a gunshot wound in the back on 25/04/1915 whilst his unit was attacking Hill 60. The bullet spilt his spinal cord.

He was cared for in a number of hospitals and was finally discharged under Para 392 XVI King’s Regulations on 27/09/1916. A report from a Medical Board states “In action 25.4.15 at Hill 60. Total paralysis of movement from hips to toes.” The report goes on to describe the man’s terrible situation and bodily suffering which no doubt contributed to his death [Cystitis. Inflammation of bladder. Septicaemia].

Unfortunately I have been unable to discover where Pte Blaikie was buried. My thanks to the councils that look after the graveyards in Alloa, Paisley and Corstorphine, who searched through their records in order to try and help locate him.

I’m glad he has now been recognised and added to the CWGC website. Many thanks for your help Terry.

Regards
LIT

LIT,

Thats a sad sad case indeed! I'm so glad that you have bought him in from the cold. Poor sod must have suffered terribly in his last days...

A gallant man who gave his life for his country.

Well done.

I learn today that Simister was put forward by my near neighbour in research terms, George Cogswell. George's main project is researching the war dead of the Borough of Trafford but he has a "sideline" researching the Hayfield (Derbyshire) War Memorial. Simister came from the Hayfield & New Mills area.

John

Name: TYLER, LESLIE CHARLES
Initials: L C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Age: 19
Date of Death: 17/07/1919
Service No: M2/156669
N.B.: This casualty has recently been accepted for commemoration by the Commission. However, it will not be possible to add his name to this Memorial immediately. Please contact the Commission before planning a visit, for more information.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel
Memorial: BROOKWOOD (UNITED KINGDOM 1914-1918) MEMORIAL

Grave found Bell Road Cemetery Sittingbourne D71 Old Part