Granton War Memorial

David Reedie was the eldest son of David and Isabella Reedie. At the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at 31 West Cottages, Granton. By the time of the First World War their address was Pier House, Granton.

He served in the 4th Battalion Royal Scots. This was an Edinburgh based Territorial Battalion which met at the Drill Hall in Forrest Hill. It is thought that he was not a pre-war territorial as records show that he enlisted in Granton and arrived at Gallipoli on 8th October 1915. The battalion initially arrived at Gallipoli on 14th June 1915 and the fact that he arrived in October suggests that he was probably recruited after the start of the war and sent to Gallipoli as part of a draft to reinforce the battalion which had suffered heavy casualties.

The Edinburgh Evening News and the Evening Dispatch both reported on 20th January 1916 that he had suffered serious gun-shot wounds to the head and was seriously ill in No.21 General Hospital, Alexandria. In fact he had already died on 14th January 1916 – this was reported on 25th January. He was 25 years old.

He is buried in Egypt in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.