S/7793 Private Andrew Geddes was a patient at Beechland House in 1916 after being wounded during the Somme battles.  His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:

S/7793 Pte A Geddes

1/7 Gordons

Wounded on the 9th Sept 1916

I’ll think of you by day

I’ll think of you by night

I’ll think of you when I’m in Scotland

So don’t forget to write

Bonnie, Bonnie Scotland

He shares this page with entries from fellow Scotsmen 18406 Private James Sweeney of the 13th Royal Scots and 7567 Private John Currie of the 10th Gordon Highlanders.

The 1/7th (Deeside Highland) Gordon Highlanders was a territorial battalion that formed part of the 153rd Brigade in the 51st Division.  Andrew Geddes appears to have recovered from his wound and rejoined his battalion.  His medal index card at the National Archives shows a second number -  292432 – which would have been issued to him when the Territorial Force was renumbered in February 1917.  This number falls within the block of numbers allocated to the 7th Gordons.

Sources and Acknowledgements

• The National Archives: Medal Index Card