Bridge of Weir
Memorial

PTE MALCOLM BRODIE 1^ST G.HRS.

3/6818 Private Malcolm Brodie

1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

killed in action 21st February 1916

aged 33


Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ypres
St Machar's Church Memorial, Bridge of Weir



Son of Alexander Brodie and Janet McKendrick
Husband of Agnes Brown
father of Janet, Alexander, Thomas and Malcolm (Callum)
Blackhall, Bridge of Weir

His Life

Malcolm Brodie was born on 5th February 1883 in Woodrow's Land, Bridge of Weir, the eldest son of Alexander Brodie, a carter from Kilbarchan and Janet McKendrick, from Greenock, who had married in Houston, Renfrewshire on 29th September 1882.

In 1891 Alexander (32), Janet (34), and three of their children Malcolm, John and Elizabeth were living in Bank Head, Houston.

In 1901 Malcolm was working as a farm servant at Aitkenhead Farm in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Later that year he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders, served for a year, then bought himself out on 15 December 1902 for the sum of £18.

On 6th October 1905 Malcolm Brodie married Agnes Brown, a farm servant from Avonhead, near Slamannan, Stirlingshire, daughter of Thomas Brown, coal miner, and Janet White, Fordale Terrace, Carriden in Carriden Manse, Bo'ness.

In 1911, Malcolm (28), Agnes (27), and their children Janet (5) Alexander (3) and Thomas (10 months) were living in a 3-roomed flat in Blackhall, Main Street, Bridge of Weir. Malcolm was a nurseryman. Janet and Thomas had been born in Bridge of Weir, but Alexander in Bo'ness, West Lothian.

Malcolm volunteered for active service in September 1914 and was enlisted at Glasgow in the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders which formed part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. In October 1915 the 1st Gordons transferred to 76th Brigade in the same Division.

Private Brodie first joined the theatre of war in France on 31st March 1915. In October 1915 he was injured by a trench falling in. After hospital treatment Malcolm was home for a few days furlough on 27th November. On 21st February 1916 Malcolm was killed in action by a bursting shell.

The battalion war diaries provide the tragic background to the newspaper reports. Malcolm was killed by British shell fire in the Ravine at Verbrandenmolen in the Ypres salient. His death occurred during four days of shelling when the risk to the British front line troops was equally great from British and German artillery.

Malcolm left a widow, Agnes, and four young children. His name is recorded at Perth Cemetery (China Wall), near Ypres, Belgium. The medallion in the image is a 5" diameter bronze memorial plaque inscribed Malcolm Brodie. These were sent with a scroll from King George V to the next-of-kin of all service personnel killed in the war. It was popularly known as the "Dead Man's Penny".

Siblings

* = not in Alexander and Janet Brodie's family home - see text for details

Sources

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• Malcolm Brodie birth certificate 5th Feb 1883. Regd. Houston, Renfrewshire 24th Feb. 1883.
• 1891 UK Census: Parish: Houston and Killellan; ED:4; Page: 9; Line:19; Roll: CSSCT1891_184
• 1901 UK Census: Parish: Bothwell; ED: 8; Page: 53; Line:12; Roll: CSSCT1901_247
• Short Service Attestation: Malcolm Brodie. Gordon Highlanders Attested 18 Dec 1901, 1st joined 23 Oct 1902, discharged on payment of £18 15 Dec 1902. National Archives.
• 1911 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan & Bridge of Weir. Ward: Bridge of Weir; Page 1; lines 17-21. 559/0B 002/00 018.
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
• 12th September 1914: WAR NEWS: Also [recruited], through military depot, Malcolm Brodie, gardener, for the Gordon Highlanders.
• 19th September 1914: ROLLOF HONOUR: Gordon Highlanders - Hugh Reston, Windsor-place; and Malcolm Brodie, Railway-building.
• 5th December 1914: ROLL OF HONOUR: Gordon Highlanders: Hugh Reston, Windsor Place; Malcolm Brodie, Raliway-buildings.
• 15th May 1915: Malcolm Brodie, Railway-land, who is in the Gordons, is in the trenches.
• 9th October 1915: Word has been received that Malcolm Brodie, Railway-land, has been slightly injured by a falling trench. He is in hospital and making good progress.
• 27th November 1915: Home from the front ... Malcolm Brodie, Gordon Highlanders, arrived at his home, Railway-land on Thursday morning and leaves for his military duties on Wednesday first.
• 4th March1916: News has been received by Mrs M Brodie, Railway-land that her husband Malcolm Brodie (6818) Gordon Highlanders, has been killed in France. The Chaplain of the regiment conveyed the news to Mrs Brodie in a touching and sympathetic letter. Private Brodie leaves 4 young children, three of who have reached school age. Much sympathy is felt for the widow and her children. Private Brodie had been several months at the front, and had been twice home on short furlough. He was killed by a bursting shell.
• St Machar's Church of Scotland Death and Interment Register:
  Brodie, Malcolm; Private 1st Gordon Highrs; Railway Land; Killed in Action 21 Feb 1916 near Ypres; aged 36.
• War Diaries: WO 95/1435. 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.
• 18th February 1916. Fine. Enemy shelled the foot of Gordon Wood and the top of the trench. "Desultory" shelling throughout the night. 1 killed, 8 wounded.
• 19th February 1916. Fine. Quieter. Enemy sent aerial torpedoes. 1 killed by sniper. 1 shell shock.
• 20th February 1916. Very bright and fine. Great aerial activity on both sides. 1 killed, 2 wounded by our own shells.
• 21st February 1916. Dull. Frost in the morning. Considerable aerial activity. 1 killed by our guns. 1 wounded by sniper.
• 22nd February 1916. Day fine. Quiet. Battalion relieved by the 12th Manchester Regiment. March to I Camp, Peninghelst.
• Medals: Victory, British War, 1915 Star.

TO CITE THIS PAGE: MLA style: "Bridge of Weir Memorial". Date of viewing. http://www.bridgeofweirmemorial.co.uk/profile-brodie.html