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Private E. Morrison, Gordon Highlanders - invalided home, died 27.2.1901 4 years 3 months ago #67086

  • BereniceUK
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I've been sent a photo of his grave memorial, in Rosneath Cemetery, Argyll and Bute (although it was in Dunbartonshire in 1901), but can't find a record of his death being registered; the only two E. Morrisons whose deaths were registered in Scotland in 1901 being aged at least 60. As the photo appears in a PDF of a book page, I can't copy it, nor do I have permission to.

The inscription reads: -
R.I.P.
IN LOVING MEMORY

OF
PTE. E. MORRISON
1ST BATTALION
GORDON HIGHLANDERS
DIED 27TH FEB. 1901

AT
H.R.H. PRINCESS LOUISE'S
HOSPITAL HOME
ROSNEATH

A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.
The people of Gareloch witnessed a pathetic sight on Friday, March 1st. About one o'clock a little procession might have been seen wending its way from H.R.H. Princess Louise Convalescent Home to Roseneath Churchyard, a coffin covered with the Union Jack, and followed by a respectful crowd. Just another soldier who had laid down his life for Queen and country. Private Morrison was invalided home early in summer, thoroughly worn out with the privations he had endured, and although everything possible was done for him in the beautiful Home by the sea, he never regained his strength, and after great suffering, passed away on Wednesday morning. The Duke of Argyll, who is in residence at the "Clachan House," walked in the funeral procession, and during the interment, which took place amid torrents of rain, held his umbrella over the late soldier's sister, she being the only relation present. None present could help noticing his kindly and courteous act.
Dundee Evening Telegraph, Thursday 7th March 1901

No mention of whether he was a local man, although the presence of a relative makes me think he may not have been from too far away. Helensburgh Library has a local paper for 1901.

This is the house, formerly The Ferry Inn, that became the hospital.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/house...s-home-queen-9143981
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Private E. Morrison, Gordon Highlanders - invalided home, died 27.2.1901 4 years 3 months ago #67094

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The grave has been visited this morning, and moss over the inscription has been removed. My thanks to the gentleman who did this.

However, we're no wiser as to what his first name was.

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Private E. Morrison, Gordon Highlanders - invalided home, died 27.2.1901 4 years 3 months ago #67096

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Edward Morrison Smith, labourer, single, an Army Reserve Man, died 1901, February 27, Hospital Home, Rosneath, aged 34, father Edward Smith, moulder (deceased), mother Mary Smith maiden surname Morrison. Heart disease, dropsy, cardiac failure. Registered by Mary Smith, sister, 268 Garscube Road, Glasgow.

My thanks to Forfarian, on RootsChat, for this information.

The inscription on the gravestone quite definitely has his name as E. Morrison.

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Private E. Morrison, Gordon Highlanders - invalided home, died 27.2.1901 4 years 3 months ago #67105

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Photo by, and courtesy of, Tom O'Brien-Barden, as is the attached photo, which was taken some time between 1987 to 1989, and appeared in a book recording the gravestones in Rosneath graveyard.
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Private E. Morrison, Gordon Highlanders - invalided home, died 27.2.1901 4 years 2 months ago #67680

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I've dug up two local reports of his death and funeral.

...."FUNERAL OF PTE. MORRISON. - On Friday last a funeral took place at Roseneath of quite a pathetic nature. One of the invalided soldiers, named Morrison, lately returned from South Africa, was received into the Hospital Home, Roseneath, maintained by the liberality of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll for the benefit of invalided soldiers. At the express wish of the large hearted patrons of this institution, a specialist was consulted; but it was evident from the very beginning that no reasonable hope could be entertained of the patient's recovery. His once robust constitution was entirely shattered. Yet he was full of confidence himself, and in his brighter moments his eyes used to kindle with martial spirit as he related with spirit and enthusiasm that his regiment had fought 22 battles and marched more than 500 miles, often on half rations, and frequently without shelter at night. Private Morrison spoke very highly of the unremitting care and kindness of Sister Liddell, thanks to whose skilful nursing he lingered longer than had been anticipated. When the end came he faced death as a soldier and as a Christian. He had the consolation of being attended by his own sister in his last moments. On the 27th of February last Sister Liddell wrote of him - "Pte. Morrison died this afternoon at 3.30 P.M. His end was peace."
....The sympathy evoked by his death was quite remarkable. A large number of people from the village attended the funeral, anxious to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of one of her late Majesty's soldiers. The presence of the Duke of Argyll was commented upon as a most graceful act. There were also noticed Captain Williams, Rev. Mr M'Ewan, Mr Maughan, Captain Gray, Captain Ralston, Mr Lewis, Mr Stewart, Mr M'Phee, and several other gentlemen. The procession started from the hospital home at 1 P.M. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and was followed by the sister of the deceased as chief mourner, Miss Liddell, and the gentlemen above mentioned. All the patients of the home also turned out to accompany their deceased comrade to his last resting place. They received his remains at the graveyard, and paid them a respectful farewell duty. The funeral service was read by the Rev. T. Delbeke. One of the gentlemen present at the grave was heard to make a remark which seemed to strike the keynote of the general feeling - "I attended the funeral of this soldier because he laid down his life for his country." There was a heavy downpour of rain at the grave, when his Grace considerately went round to the head of the coffin, and held his umbrella over the head of the deceased's sister while the coffin was being lowered into the grave."

Helensburgh and Gareloch Times, Wednesday 6th March 1901


The report below is brief, and gets his name and regiment wrong, but it tells us that Edward Morrison was, presumably, Catholic.

...."The funeral of James Morrison, of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who died on Wednesday in the Convalescent Home, Rosneath, took place on Friday, and was attended by Father Delbeke, Helensburgh. Captain Williams and Sergeant-Major M'Donald, Helensburgh, were also in attendance. The coffin was conveyed in a hearse from the home to the churchyard, covered with the Union Jack, and followed by a large company, including His Grace the Duke of Argyle."
The Lennox Herald, Saturday 9th March 1901
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