Great War Dundee
This is Dundee's story of those that served in the First World War, and of the people left at home
George Burness
Military Information
- Date of enlistment:
- Place of enlistment: Dundee
- Service no: 3/1791
- Rank: Private
- Service Occupation:
- Awards:
- Regiment/Service: Black Watch
- Unit/Ship: 2nd Battalion
- Place of Death: Iraq
- Age at Death: 31
- Date of Death: 07.01.1916
- Burial Country: Iraq
- Cemetery: Amara War Cemetery
- Grave/Mem Ref no: XXX.H.4.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth:
- Place of Birth: Kirriemuir
- Address: 214 Lochee Road, Dundee
- Occupation: Park Machine Works, Douglas St, Dundee
- Mother:
Isabella Burness, 214 Lochee Rd, Dundee
- Father:
- Siblings:
- Spouse:
- Children:
More about George Burness
On 9 February 1916, The Courier reported on two local soldiers, both serving with the 2nd Black Watch, who were killed in action on 7 January 1916.
1791 Pte. George Burness (left), had served in France with the 1st Battalion from early September 1914, and was wounded at the Battle of the Aisne.
1426 Pte. Alexander Reoch (right), had served in the regiment for some seven years, and was in India at the outbreak of the war.
Both men are buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.
DUNDEE SOLDIER KILLED AT PERSIAN GULF. Official intimation has been received by Mrs Burness, 214 Lochee Road, Dundee, that her son, Pte. George Burness, 2nd Black Watch, was killed in action at the Persian Gulf on 7th January.
Pte. Burness, who was thirty-one years of age, was called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war, he having previously served fourteen years with his regiment. He was wounded at the battle of the Aisne, and after being home on furlough for five months returned to France and was transferred to the Persian Gulf. He was previously employed by George H. Lord & Son, Park Machine Works, Douglas Street.
DUNDEE SOLDIER KILLED IN MESOPOTAMIA. Official intimation has been received of the death in action in Mesopotamia of Private Alexander Reoch, 2nd Black Watch.
Private Reoch, who was 23 years of age, had been in the army for about 7 years. At the commencement of hostilities he came to France from India with the 2d Black Watch, and was with that regiment when it was transferred to Mesopotamia a few months ago. Private Reoch was, prior to enlistment, employed as a blacksmith by the firm of Gourlay Brothers, & Co., Ltd., Dundee. The deceased soldier was a son of the late Mr A. S. Reoch, hairdresser, Dundee.
A brother of Private Reoch – Sergeant John Reoch, 1st Black Watch – died about 15 months ago of wounds received in France. The Courier, Wednesday, 9 February 1916, 4.
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