Died in the Royal Infirmary three days after being savagely beaten by rioters on 31st December 1811, during the Hogmanay Riots in the Tron Kirk area of Edinburgh, when organised gangs of youths had formed a plan to attack the police and drive them from the streets in order to assault and rob revellers celebrating the New Year.
 
A sixteen-year-old youth was convicted of the murder of the Watchman and, on 22nd April 1812, he and two other youths aged eighteen years, were hanged in Stamp Office Close, where the officer had been killed.

Roll of Honour Citation

Died in the Royal Infirmary three days after being savagely beaten by rioters on 31st December 1811, during the Hogmanay Riots in the Tron Kirk area of Edinburgh.