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Remembering Matthew McKenzie

Every life lost in a pandemic is a tragedy, regardless of the victim’s age. However, the death of a young person is a particularly devastating loss. The Spanish flu pandemic is infamous for causing fatal illness in young people, and unfortunately, fifteen-year-old Matthew McKenzie was one of the victims. Matthew’s grave is situated in PolmontContinue reading “Remembering Matthew McKenzie”

Remembering James Cowan

I recently purchased the book, ‘They Shall Grow Not Old, ‘ by The Men of Falkirk Parish Church and Erskine Church, Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice in the First World War. Produced in 2014 by researchers for Falkirk Trinity Church of Scotland, this book catalogues the war dead from the congregations of the churches acknowledged in the title.Continue reading “Remembering James Cowan”

Remembering Thomas Bowes

A fellow Facebook local history forum member informed me about Thomas Bowes. Thomas is buried in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery in Vicenza Province, North-East Italy. He passed away on December 1, 1918, at twenty-one. His obituary in the Falkirk Herald on December 21 cites pneumonia as the cause of death. Given his age andContinue reading “Remembering Thomas Bowes”

Remembering Pioneer John Gourlay Graham

John, who was on leave from France, was suddenly taken from us on November 15th 1918. His headstone bears witness to this fact. His death registration confirmed that his pneumonia was a result of ‘acute influenza’. He passed away at his familial home at 20 Forth Avenue, Kirkcaldy, at the tender age of twenty-five. JohnContinue reading “Remembering Pioneer John Gourlay Graham”

Remembering Henry Kinloch

Henry lies in Tulliallan Cemetery on the eastern edge of Kincardine. The familial headstone is propped against the base due to instability. Henry died on October 15th 1918, at his home in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, aged thirty-nine, of influenza and pneumonia. Henry was born in Kincardine in 1878, the eldest son of Blacksmith Henry (Sr) andContinue reading “Remembering Henry Kinloch”

Remembering George Smith Knowles

George rests in Mars Wark Cemetery in a familial grave. He succumbed to “influenza and pulmonary congestion” on February 26th 1919 at his home at 22 Alexandra Place, Stirling aged forty-three. The headstone is in good condition. George was born on January 19th 1876 in Benholm, Kincardineshire to Andrew and Mary-Ann (nee Milne). He spentContinue reading “Remembering George Smith Knowles”

Remembering Captain Cyril Peel

Today I paid my first visit to Larbert Cemetery in Stenhousemuir to the east of Falkirk. Among the graves I found was that of Cyril Peel Captain of HMS Amphitrite. The headstone is an elegant Celtic cross in excellent condition, likely cared for by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission. He died on November 8th atContinue reading “Remembering Captain Cyril Peel”

Remembering Sister Mary Watson

Alongside Jessie McRobbie, Sister Mary Watson is one of two QAIMNS nurses interred in Ford Road Cemetery in Crieff. Mary died of influenza on November 6th in Farco Military Hospital, Sailsbury, Wiltshire aged thirty-two (a day before Jessie McRobbie). Her familial headstone is in excellent condition, and cared for by the CWGC. Mary was bornContinue reading “Remembering Sister Mary Watson”

Remembering Sister Jessie McRobbie

As I acknowledged in my biography of Jeanie McClymont, nurses selflessly put their own lives at risk treating Spanish flu patients. Sister Jessie McRobbie is another. Jessie succumbed to influenza and pneumonia on November 7th 1918 in Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham aged thirty-two. She was repatriated to her home town of Crieff and interred inContinue reading “Remembering Sister Jessie McRobbie”

Remembering Catherine McNeil Nicoll

Today, I returned to Logie Cemetery to locate the grave of nine-year-old Catherine McNeil Nicoll. Catherine died on the 29th of December 1918 at Mile Brae Cottage, Bridge of Allan, of bronchitis following influenza. She lies in Row D1, grave 46, in the cemetery’s northwest corner. From what I could see, there was no headstone.Continue reading “Remembering Catherine McNeil Nicoll”