George Dickson Greenlees

George was prepared for war, having trained as a cadet with the University O.T.C. from 1915 to 1916. By then he was an Assistant Manager in the family business. Though not in a rush to join up he enlisted as a Private on the 21st of February 1916, just as the Conscription Act was due to come into effect on 2nd March. His brother, Alfred Mitchell Greenlees, was a conscientious objector who took his case to a Glasgow Tribunal and was excused service in the army. Like his mother, he was a prominent member of the International Bible Students Association (Jehovah’s Witnesses). George went to war, however, and did not return.

He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the 4th Black Watch on the 17th April 1917 and sailed for Egypt later in the year, landing in Egypt on the 2nd of November. They were on their way to take part in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. The Allies were in the process of driving the Ottoman army out of Gaza. By 8th November they had been successful. Further engagements lay between there and the capture of Jerusalem on the 11th December, however. Lieutenant Greenlees was killed by a sniper on the 1st December. Aged 23, he was buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, his stone inscribed, ‘Asleep Waiting Times of Restitution’. He is also honoured on the Kilmacolm War Memorial.