James Garnet Fairbairn

by untangledwebl
Born 20th September 1882 in Balerno
Died 18th March 1915 in France, aged 32

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Winner of a Prize at the first recorded Burns Competition at Balerno School  1893

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 Croupier

1910
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 Reply to the Toast  “The Lasses”  1908,  1911

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 Served on the Club Committee

1907,  1908,  1909,  1910
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James Garnet Fairbairn was the only son of David B. Fairbairn and the grandson of James Fairbairn Snr., founder member of ‘Let it Blaw.’ His contribution highlighted above is in no way remarkable, but it does show how this young man, this next generation of the Fairbairn family, was obviously going to play a major part in Club life in years to come.

In July 1893, the first record of a School Burns Competition being held in Balerno was made when the Club Secretary wrote: “As had been arranged, the Competition for four copies of the poet’s works by the children  attending Balerno School was held in the schoolroom this afternoon  when the prizes were awarded to the following successful competitors :

Boys – 1st Recitation – Jas. Falconer

Boys – 1st Singing – James Garnet Fairbairn

Girls – 1st Recitation – Mary Falconer

Girls – 1st Singing – Jessie Brown

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One of the Club’s first prize-winners named above was James. He attended ‘Let it Blaw’ for the first time in 1907 and showed a willingness to participate from the outset.
James died on 18th March 1915 fighting with 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry and is buried in Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France. His death in action in World War I is acknowledged in the ‘Let it Blaw’ Club Minutes.
   

Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France

James is commemorated on a panel within Balerno Parish Church and also on a Memorial at Currie Kirk. A sad end for the wee nine year old boy who won the prize at Balerno School.

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