James Elder

Military Information

  • Date of enlistment:
  • Place of enlistment:
  • Service no:
  • Rank: Captain
  • Service Occupation:
  • Awards:
  • Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
  • Unit/Ship: 13th Battalion, attached to 5/6th Battalion
  • Place of Death: Belgium
  • Age at Death: 24
  • Date of Death: 29.12.1917
  • Burial Country: Belgium
  • Cemetery: Buffs Road Cemetery
  • Grave/Mem Ref no: C.58.

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth: 09.01.1893
  • Place of Birth:
  • Address: 95 Pitkerro Rd, Dundee
  • Occupation:
  • Mother:

    Mary Wilkie Elder, “Lochlee” 95 Pitkerro Rd, Dundee

  • Father:

    W. A. B. Elder, “Lochlee” 95 Pitkerro Rd, Dundee

  • Siblings:
  • Spouse:
  • Children:

More about James Elder

James Elder, a former dux medallist of Morgan Academy, was an undergraduate in the University of St Andrews when the war commenced. After a course of training in the University OTC he received his commission in the 13th Royal Scots. He had been almost thee years in the field when he was killed in action near Ypres in 1917.

James Elder   Royal Scots

Mr and Mrs W. A. B. Elder, Lochlee, 95 Pitkerro Road, Dundee, have been informed of the death in action on 29th December of their eldest son, Captain James Elder, Royal Scots.

Deceased was educated at the Morgan Academy, and was the gold medallist of session 1909-10.  Winning the Ferguson Bursary, he entered St Andrews University, and was studying for his honours degree when war broke out.  A member of the O.T.C., he received a commission in the Royal Scots in November, 1914, and had seen service at Gallipoli and Egypt before going to the Western front early in 1916.

Captain Elder took an active interest in the Union Debating Society, of which he was secretary, and was well known as an athlete, being a member of the ‘Varsity Rugby team which won the Midland League Cup on the last occasion it was played for.

Dundee Courier 7th January 1918

It appears that James was not serving with the 13th Battalion at the time of his death. There is no mention of him in the 13th Battalion war diary and the Division to which this unit was part was the 15th (Scottish) Division at that time on the Arras front.

James was serving with the 5/6th Royal Scots, 14th Brigade, 32nd Division at the time of his death.

The 5/6th Battalion war diary has this entry for the 29 December 1917 – “Battalion in line. Hostile artillery quieter. Active patrolling carried out. Officer casualty – Captain J Elder killed.”

Additional information kindly supplied by Michael Caldwell and Wayne Evans

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