Muchty Remembers

Born: 1881, Kincaple, St Andrews, Fife.

Son of James Ogilvy Fairlie and Jane Mary Buchanan of Myres Castle, Auchtermuchty.

Army Number:

Rank: Captain

Regiment: 10th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry.

Died: Died of wounds in France, 27 September 1915. Age 33.

Buried: Buried at Chocque Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph.

 

John Ogilvy Fairlie was the eldest son of James Ogilvy Reginald Fairlie, of Myres Castle, Auchtermuchty, JP, BA, a Private Chamberlain to HH Pope Benedict XV, by his wife Jane Mary, 3rd daughter of John Buchanan of Dowanhill, and grandson of James Ogilvy Fairlie of Coodham, JP, DL, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, formerly Lieutenant and Captain 2nd Life Guards.

John Ogilvy Fairlie was born at Kincaple, St Andrews and educated the Oratory School, London, and New College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours. He obtained a University Commission, unattached List, 1 Jul 1905, but relinquished this and went to Canada in May 1913, where he studied for the Canadian bar at Edmonton.

 

James Ogilvy Reginald Fairlie, born 1848, Symington, was the son of James Ogilvy Fairlie, 1809-1870, and Elizabeth Constance Crauford, 1813-1870. James Ogilvy Fairlie, born 10 October 1809, Calcutta, had first married Anne Eliza MacLeod of MacLeod, 1816-1843, daughter of John Norman MacLeod of MacLeod, 23rd Chief. James Ogilvy Fairlie married secondly Elizabeth Constance Crawford, 1813-1870. He died at Coodham, Ayrshire, 5 December 1870.

James Fairlie converted to Catholicism in 1876. In 1880 he married Jane Mary Buchanan. In 1901 the Fairlies were living in Bournemouth. In 1911 James Fairlie, 62, was living at Myres Castle, Auchtermuchty, with his wife Mary, 55, married 30 years and mother of five children, with three of their children, Reginald, 28, architect, Gilbert, 18, scholar at home, and Margaret 21. There was a cook and six servants as well a coachman, gardener and butler. James Fairlie, himself, on the day of the Census, was a visitor at Den of Craighall, Ceres, with Henry Drummond, 69, farmer, and his wife Jane Cameron, 63.

John Fairlie does not appear in the Scottish or English census for 1911 when he was in Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the outbreak of the European War John Ogilvy Fairlie at once returned to England; offered his services and was gazetted Captain, 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 4 Nov 1914. He went to France on 7 May 1915. He fought at the Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915, and died at No 1 Clearing Station, 26 September 1915, following wounds received in action at the Battle the previous day. He wass buried in the New Cemetery at Chocques, Pas de Calais, France.

AUCHTERMUCHTY OFFICER KILLED

Mr J. O. Fairlie, Myres Castle, Auchtermuchty, has received information that his eldest son, Captain John Ogilvy Fairlie, has been killed in action between 25th and 26th of September. Captain Fairlie was educated at the Oratory School and New College, Oxford, where he took his degree with honours. He was Captain of the Oxford University Golf Club, playing twice in the team for Oxford v Cambridge. He held a commission in the Army for a short time, which he afterwards relinquished. Mr Fairlie then went to Canada, and was at Edmonton when the war broke out. He at once returned to this country and offered his service, which were accepted, and he was gazetted Captain 10th (Service) Battalion H.L.I., on 30th November 1914. The name of Fairlie is well known in the golfing world  Captain Fairlie was true to the family traditions. He captained the Oxford University Golf Club and played in the Oxford team several times against Cambridge. At St Andrews he was once runner-up for the Culcutta Cup. Captain Fairlie was a nephew of Mr T.R.Buchanan, late under secretary for India. FIFE NEWS. October 1915.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

FAIRLIE, JOHN OGILVY, Capt, 10th (Service) Battn The Highland Light Infantry.

Went to France 7 May, 1915, and died at No. 1 Clearing Station 26 Sept, following from wounds received in action at the Battle of Loos the previous day. Buried at the New Cemetery, Chocques.

A L.-Corpl of the 10th Battn. wrote to his brother at home: "I have a little souvenir I would give you if I could get it through. It is not much, but it belonged to one of the bravest officers that ever donned the King's uniform, and a St. Andrews man. His name is Captain Fairlie ... He was lying dying, shot through the stomach and giving orders with his last breath. When the stretcher-bearers were carrying him down he was praying on the beads ... It is of no value, but it belonged to the bravest man and soldier I ever knew ... If he had got through it he would have got the V.C."

Captain Fairlie was an expert golfer, being a member of St.Andrews Golf Club, of which his fasther and grandfather had both been captains; he played for Oxford in 1902-3-4, being captain in 1904, and was also secretary to the Bishop Stortford Golf Club. October 1915.

 

John Ogilvy Fairlie's younger brother, Reginald, served with the Royal Engineers. He later designed the War Memorial at Auchtermuchty. His youngest brother, James Ogilvy Fairlie,  enlisted in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.