James Alexander Stewart Burges

In 1901 he was employed as a Druggist at Kilmalcolm Orphanage. This was, presumably, the Quarrier’s Village, officially known as the Orphan Homes of Scotland. About 1912 James began general practice in Carronshore, having previously worked in Glasgow Maternity Hospital (which was usually known as Rottenrow). James, now 42, married Mabel Annie Radcliffe, aged 26 and from Carlisle, on the 13th June 1914 in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. After his death his wife was recorded as living at Belmont House, West Bay, Dunoon, Argyllshire.

He joined the Army in 1916, and went to the Western Front on the 28th June, shortly after the birth of a daughter. He had been at the front for about eight months when he was wounded on the 22nd April 1917, his 45th birthday, and died the next day.

The Falkirk Herald printed a fulsome tribute by the Minister of Carron United Free Church, the Reverend A. F. Anderson:

"It is some years ago since he (Burges) came into our midst and during these four years he has endeared himself to the heart of the people to such an extent that Carronshore and Airth feel that they have lost not only their doctor but also their best friend. His healing power has been spent ungrudgingly upon the inhabitants of this district, for late and early he might have been seen hurrying to the home of sickness and none sought his services in vain."

"On his taking up the practice here he associated himself with our congregation, and was regularly found in the place of worship, while he was ever willing to assist in every way that lay within his power. His whole interest was in the moral, spiritual and physical welfare of the district, and he worked nobly for that end, and was greatly grieved by the prevalence of evil that so often destroyed his hopes. All classes of the community grew to love our doctor whose presence brought sunshine into many a darkened home, and several thought that his was the only hand that could bring healing, within its truck."

"He had long desired to do his part for the wounded soldiers, and when arrangements were made for his departure to France about eight months ago, he hailed the opportunity of service. He has had a busy time in the war zone and has been a tower of strength to many wounded men and a ray of light to many a closing eye. Not till he had gone from our midst did we realize how valuable he had been to us, and now we grieve that we shall meet him no more. He has been called to higher service, where the ministering powers are not lost, where the kindly spirit will be fully valued, and he has left behind him a memory that will not readily fade, the memory of a Christian life spent in Christian service."

"Our sympathies and prayers are extended to his wife so early made a widow, and to his little daughter, who will never see her father with a mortal eye; his mother who has now lost her second son as the price of war, and to the other bereaved relatives. Many a Healing hand that is still greater than his that has gone, dry their lingering tears, and may God be gracious to the district which has suffered such a loss."

Lieutenant James Alexander Stewart Burges is buried in plot VI. C. 4. of the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, used for those who died at the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station. Aubigny-en-Artois is a village nearly 10 miles north-west of Arras in France. After his death, his widow, Mabel Annie Radcliffe Burges, moved to Belmont House, Dunoon, in Argyllshire.