author
1878–1915
A Scottish engineer, soldier, and letter-writer whose life was cut short in the First World War, he left behind a vivid record of duty, faith, and everyday courage. His surviving letters feel immediate and personal, offering a moving window into both the front and the man behind the uniform.
by James Lusk
Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on September 19, 1878, he was educated at Uddingston School and the West of Scotland Technical College in Glasgow. He trained as an engineer and is remembered not only for his professional promise but also for his deep involvement in community life in Motherwell.
During the First World War, he served as Captain and Adjutant of the 6th Battalion, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Contemporary accounts note his bravery and devotion to duty, and he died on December 29, 1915, from wounds received in action in France.
His reputation today rests largely on Letters & Memories, published in 1916 after his death. The book gathers his correspondence and recollections, preserving a voice that is steady, thoughtful, and human even in wartime.