Remembering the Scots lawyers who died at Passchendaele

For some, the name of Passchendaele alone may well conjure up long-forgotten English lessons:

“I died in hell - (they called it Passchendaele), my wound was slight and I was hobbling back when a shell burst slick upon the duckboards and so I fell into the bottomless mud and lost the light.” Sassoon – Memorial Tablet 1918Of these casualties, we can today remember three. They represent the losses from the legal profession.

Ian Grant Fleming

Ian Grant Fleming, aged 25, died on the first day of the battle - 31st July 1917. When he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders, in 1914, he was an apprentice solicitor at Alex Morison & Co. WS (Now Morisons LLP), Edinburgh, following his studies in law from 1912 to 1914 at Edinburgh University.

His military career, as a captain, followed four years’ membership of the Officers Training Corps at Glenalmond School. It was distinguished by a mention in despatches and the award of a Military Cross for gallantry in June 1915.

His death was not to be the only loss for his family, as his younger brother William also died. His father was Colonel John Grant Fleming, the solicitor and town clerk for Keith, living at Reidhaven House Keith.

He is remembered at Track X Cemetery which lies between what were the Allied and German front lines in June 1917.

John Stewart Gellatly

John Stewart Gellatly, aged 24, also died on 31st July 1917. He was the son of Cordelia Gellatly, 98 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh. His brother too died only months earlier, in April 1917.

John Gellatly had joined the Royal Scots in 1914, leaving his law studies at Edinburgh University (1912-1914). He was wounded twice at Ypres in 1915 and 1916 but returned to fight. At the time of his death, he was a 2nd Lieutenant. He is remembered at Gwalia Cemetery, Belgium which was a cemetery opened in July 1917 lying in flat wet country used by infantry units, artillery and field ambulances until September 1918. Those injured who did not survive to be repatriated were buried here.

Lachlan Seymour Graham

Finally, Lachlan Seymour Graham. He was aged 34 when, as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was wounded in action during the battle on 23 August. He was taken to a casualty clearing station where he died on 29th August, 1917.

He was an MA graduate of Glasgow University (1905), and received a BL in 1910. He was the sole partner of the firm of Messrs. Hubbard & Seymour Graham, Writers.

He had held posts in a number of organisation before the war: secretary, Glasgow Business Club, treasurer, West of Scotland Lawn Tennis Club and manager, Renfield United Free Church.

Graham is commemorated at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.