More about Richard Smith Geekie

Richard has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial. His address is also listed as 38 Jamaica St, Dundee.

Richard Smith Geekie   CZ/326   Collingwood Bn Royal Naval Division

Official notification has been received of the death of Seaman Richard S. Geekie, Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division.  Deceased joined at the outbreak of war, and proceeded with his battalion to the Dardanelles, where he met his death.  He was 33 years of age, and a son of the late Mr John Geekie, slater, 7 Paterson Street.  For many years he was an enthusiastic member of Clyde Moor Football Club.

Dundee People’s Journal 22nd January 1916

Wife informed by Rev. Frank Cairns, that her husband died on 4th June 1915, being shot through the head whilst getting over the parapet. ; Born 26th September 1881. A Lamplighter. At the time of his enlistment he was living with his wife, Jane, at 84 Rosebank Street, Dundee, Forfarshire.

R.N.D. Data base

Richard S Geekie was the son of Mr John Geekie of 7n Paterson Street, Dundee and was married to Mrs Jane Geekie of 84 Rosebank Street in Dundee and gave his employment as a Lamplighter when, in September 1914, he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. After this he was drafted to the Collingwood Battalion, serving in B Company, 1 Platoon. The Collingwood landed in Gallipoli in late May 1915 and took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June 1915. This was their first and last action because, as they advanced towards the enemy line, they were caught in heavy Turkish artillery and machinegun fire. The number of dead and wounded was very high and Richard Geekie was killed in the first moments of going over the top. The Battalion was disbanded two days later. Unfortunately his fate was not confirmed until January 1916 when the Turks stated that he was not a Prisoner of War. His records state that he was rated Acting Shoemaker in March 1915. Richard Geekie is named on the Helles Memorial on Gallipoli. His service number given as Clyde Z/326 in Commonwealth War Graves Commission records. His Widow and children emigrated to Australia after the war and can be seen on this link. http://www.adoptadigger.org/articles/124-a-courageous-scott

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie