David Innes

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Mechanic, Royal Naval Air Service / Munitions Worker at Gretna / Member of the Fire Brigade

Birthplace Perthshire Crieffm ScotlandPlace of Residence at HM Factory Gretna 5 U West Date of Birth: April 28, 1892 Date of Death: January 31, 1923

Biography

Gretna Fire Brigade 1915 – 1925

Professional fire brigade members

Service and Personal details

Research Project led by Nigel Crompton

Name David Innes DoB 28 April 1892

Place of birth Crieff, Perthshire

Parents Robert Innes & Mary Taylor (Married Crieff, 6 Dec 1898)
Robert is shown as a Wine & Spirit Merchant

Parental Home 38 East High Street Crieff – 1901 were at No2 St Peter’s Buildings,
Newington, Edinburgh – 1911 the family lived at 28 Gilmore Place,
Edinburgh

Siblings Margaret, Robert, Mary, Thomas, Jane, Jeannie, Jessie.
The 1911 census shows Robert & Mary as having 10 children in 22 years
of marriage of which 8 were still alive

Spouse Annie Kirgan – shown as Tramcar motorwoman on marriage certificate
David on the marriage certificate is shown as Mechanic, Royal Naval
Air Service – currently Munitions Worker at Gretna

Date of Wedding 7th Dec 1917

Location Pollokshields, Glasgow

Children One son – as yet unidentified

Marital home(s) 5 U West, Gretna

Employment Chauffeur

1911 Census David is not shown as living with his parents in the 1911census but in
Ednam, Roxburgh. He was working for a Captain George Douglas as a
groom (domestic servant)

Date of death 31st Jan 1923 Location See notes below

Gretna details

Name David Innes Clock No

Date joining 1916

Date leaving 1920

Station Annan Road

Addresses 5 U West

Rank on start Fire engine/ ambulance driver

Promotion None

Newspapers Yes, fined 10/- for DORA lights on bicycle offence in Sept 1916 –
Death & Funeral reported

Career after Apparently rejoined Edinburgh Fire Brigade

Additional information

David joined the Royal Navy on 30 October 1914 and his service record is available.
He served afloat until 18 October 1915 when he was discharged to serve ashore on the
Western Front as an armoured car driver with the rank Petty Officer Mech. Engineer.
On his papers, his profession is shown as chauffeur and naval number as F.1831. He was
awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals.

On 31st January 1923 whilst drilling in the yard of Lauriston Fire Station, the Headquarters
of Edinburgh Fire Brigade, he was taking part in a drill where firemen were lowered to the
ground floor from upper levels when the rope broke and David fell approximately 30 feet.
He suffered severe head and neck injuries, dying a short time later in Chalmers Hospital,
next door. David received a Brigade Funeral and was laid to rest in the Glasgow area.