A loving Sister

A loving Sister

23rd May 1915

Coal miner turned soldier Archie Hamilton wrote a postcard to his1915 15-year-old sister, on whom he doted. It was posted at 4.45 p.m.   To: Teanie Hamilton, 81 New Street, Fisher Row, Musselburgh. Dear Teanie and little mother, sisters and brother. We are leaving Larbert tonight at 12 o’ clock. We are well. Hoping to find you the same. This is my new address: 1324 Private A Hamilton, D Company, 1/7th Battalion Royal Scots, 156th Brigade, 52nd Lowland Division, Expeditionary Force. The postcard reached Teanie the day Archie died. The next communication the Hamiltons received was a telegram informing them of his death at Quintinshill. Teanie was heartbroken, inconsolable, numbed. He had survived the first crash but was killed when the second train drilled into the wreckage. His was one of the bodies laid out in the drill hall in Iona Street, Leith, pending burial in a communal grave under a Celtic cross in Rosebank Cemetery , Pilrig, Leith. She and her dad James, a fisherman, walked ten miles to the funeral and back. She visited his graveside every year on the 22nd May throughout her long life. She never forgot him until her death at the age of 86 – on May 22nd 1986!

Created by: , Jim129510

  • Profile picture for Archibald Archie Hamilton

    Born 1881

    Died 1915

    British Army 1324 Private Royal Scots 7th Battalion