Gillespie, John
Rank: Private
Regiment: 4th Battalion South African Scottish (Infantry)
Biography: Son of James Gillespie, cardmaker; born Stoneywood, Aberdeenshire, 17 February 1884; educated at Newhills School (where he became a pupil-teacher) and the Normal College ; matriculated in 1902 and graduated M.A., 1905. Teaching was his bent, and he proved himself a teacher of the best type, with high ideals of his profession. For some eight years he was second master at Cults Public School, then filled a post at the Training Institute, Morija, Basutoland, and later was Mathematical Master at the Boys' High School, Rondebosch, Capetown. Gillespie was a true pacifist, so sincere in his devotion to peace that he felt he must fight for her sake. In June 1916 he enlisted in the South African Scottish and came home to complete his training. After some months in England he crossed to France in April 1917, and saw some keen fighting with a Trench Mortar Battery in the 9th Division, of which the South Africans formed a part. His C.O. wrote : "For the short time he served in the Battery he made many friends, and his loss will be deeply felt by all, not only as a friend but also as an excellent soldier". He was killed in action while serving his guns near Meteren, west of Bailleul, 12 July 1918, having seen only three months of active service.
Date of Death: 12 July 1918
Burial Details: Buried at Meteren Millitary Service, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 51.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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