Alan John Edmiston
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Place of Birth: Rutherglen
Date of Death: 16/08/1918
Theatre of Death: Great Britain
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (2nd Bn.)
Cemetery: Rutherglen Cemetery
Additional information: Son of Alexander Edmiston of 46 Overtoun Drive, Rutherglen.
Rutherglen Lore information: Son of Ex-Provost and Mrs. Edmiston, Overtoun Drive, Rutherglen.
Soldier’s Effects information: Father Alexander Edmiston Esq.
Glasgow University information: Allan John Edmiston was born on 24th May 1898, and was the son of Alexander – a builder and Provost of Rutherglen – and his wife Margaret. The family lived at 46 Overtoun Drive, Rutherglen, and Allan was a pupil at Allan Glen’s School. In 1916 he matriculated in the Medical Faculty and began his studies in the autumn term. He would have been a classmate of Alexander Cameron Cooper. The two young men had much in common. They enrolled in the same classes; Zoology, Anatomy, Botany, Chemistry and Physics. They both left their studies behind in 1917 to serve with the army in France and they both died aged 20 in the same week of August, 1918.
Allan took a commission in 1917 and served as Second Lieutenant in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He was attached to the 2nd Battalion, which moved from the Somme to Picardy in April 1918. His two brothers were also on active service during this time.
In May 1918, Allan suffered gas poisoning and a serious lung illness developed. When he was home on leave in July he became very ill and was admitted to Murtle Military Hospital in Peterculter, Aberdeenshire. He died of a pulmonary haemorrhage on the 16th August 1918 aged 20 years.
1901 census information:
Address: Whitefield, Rutherglen.
Father: Alexander (49) wright or joiner, born about 1852 in Rutherglen.
Mother: Margaret B (32) born about 1869 in Rutherglen.
Brother: Alexander S (6) born about 1895 in Rutherglen.
Brother: Hugh S (4) born about 1897 in Rutherglen.
Self: Alan (2) born about 1899 in Rutherglen.
Sister: Marion B (8 months) born about 1900 in Rutherglen.
1911 census information:
The family are living in Rutherglen. The family comprises Alexander 60, Margaret 43, Alexander S 17, Hugh 15, Allan 13, Marion 11 and Jean 7.
Newspaper transcript – Sec.- Lt. Allan John Edmonton, Scottish Rifles (died from gas poisoning), was the third son of ex-Provost Edmonton and Mrs. Edmiston, Broomieknowe, Overtoun Drive, Rutherglen. He was 20 years of age, and was a medical student at Glasgow University. Other two sons are on active service.
Newspaper transcript – Second Lieutenant Allan John Edmiston, Scottish Rifles, was gassed in France in May and serious illness developed while he was home on leave in July necessitating his removal to Murtle Hospital, Aberdeenshire, where he died on Friday, the 16th inst.
In civil life Lieutenant Edmiston was a medical student attending the Glasgow University. He was the third son of ex-Provost and Mrs. Edmiston, Broomiknowe, Overtoun Drive, Rutherglen, whose other two sons are still on active service.
The remains of Lieutenant Edmiston were interred in Rutherglen Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon with military honours. The Rev. Geo. Simpson Yuille, B.D., Rutherglen Parish Church, officiated both at the residence of deceased and at the graveside. The firing party fired three volleys over the grave and thereafter the “Last Post” was sounded.
A large number of the general public also attended the funeral and many spectators witnessed the solemn last rites in the Cemetery.
Also commemorated on the memorial at Stonelaw High School, Rutherglen, Allan Glen’s School, Glasgow and in Rutherglen Old Parish Church (on the main memorial board but also has his own plaque).
Headstone reads – Erected by Alexander and Margaret Edmiston in Loving Memory of their son Sec. Lieut. Allan John Edmiston 2nd Batt. Scottish Rifles died of gas poisoning 16th Aug. 1918 aged 20 years.
Plaque reads – To the Glory of God and in Sacred Memory of Second Lieutenant Allan J Edmiston, Born 24th May 1898 – Died 16th August 1918. A brave unselfish and devoted soldier. He was loved and honoured by all. this memorial is erected by the officers of the 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles and the non commissioned officers and men of his company. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori (It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country).