Charles Elphinstone Fleming
Rank: Major
Service No: N/A
Date of Death: 02/03/1915
Age: 40
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Medical Corps
Cemetery: Rutherglen Cemetery
Additional information: Son of the late John and Isabella Fleming; husband of Hilda Fleming of 2 St. Helen’s Towers, Southsea, Hants.
Rutherglen Lore information: Son of Ex-Provost John Fleming, 11 Crown Terrace, Dowanhill, Glasgow.
Glasgow University information: Charles Elphinstone Fleming was born 16th November 1874 in Balvaird House, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. His parents were John Fleming, a writer with Montgomerie & Fleming, and Isabella Wark Fleming (née Pinkerton). Charles was one of five sons.
Charles came to the University of Glasgow in 1891 to study Medicine and graduated MB CM on 22nd July 1897. During his time he studied various subjects, including Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Pathology, Physiology and Surgery.
After his studies Charles worked at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow as an Outdoor Assistant Surgeon, a House Surgeon and a House Physician. He then became Resident Physician at the Glasgow Maternity Hospital. Charles volunteered for service in South Africa and served as a Civil Medical Officer with the Natal Field Force. In the Transvaal he received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps and the King’s Medal with two clasps.
In 1900 he was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps and became Captain in 1903. On 14th May 1912 he became Major Charles Elphinstone Fleming. During the First World War Major Fleming contracted pneumonia and died on the 2nd March 1915 aged 40, at his parent’s home in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Charles was married to Hilda, née Branch. Major Charles Elphinstone Fleming is buried in Rutherglen Cemetery.
Soldier’s Effects information: Widow Mrs. Hilda Fleming.
1891 census information:
Address: Sheriff Park Villa, Mill Street, Rutherglen.
Father: John (57) writer, born about 1834 in Rutherglen.
Mother: Isabell W P (48) born about 1843 in Rutherglen.
Brother: John F P (20) student in arts, born about 1871 in Rutherglen.
Brother: Alfred James (18) student in arts, born about 1873 in Rutherglen.
Self: Charles E (16) born about 1875 in Rutherglen.
Brother: David P (14) born about 1877 in Rutherglen.
Brother: Harry H (10) born about 1881 in Rutherglen.
Newspaper transcript – The Late Major C. E. Fleming
Major C. E. Fleming of the Royal Army Medical Corps who died yesterday from illness contracted while engaged on military service. ? third son of Mr John Fleming, 11 Crown Terrace, Glasgow. He graduated M.B ? at Glasgow University in 1891 and washer some time house physician and surgeon at the Victoria Infirmary and thereafter house physician and surgeon at the Sick Children’s Hospital. When the South African War broke out he volunteered as a civil surgeon, and afterward received a commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was awarded the Queen’s medal and the King Edward’s medal for his service in that campaign. When the present war broke out he was in South Africa and returned to this country along with the Regular troops stationed there in the beginning of October. After his return he was engaged in military service near Portsmouth. His health broke down and pneumonia, supervening, he died yesterday at this father’s residence in Glasgow.
