A Survey of Names on the

Ardersier War Memorial

By Stuart Farrell

BA AIFA FSAScot October 2003

Introduction This project arose from a survey of Auldearn War Memorial (Farrell, 2002) where it was noted that studies of war memorials in the Highland’s were severely lacking. No previous study has been made of the war memorial and so this project was started. The War Memorial The Ardersier War memorial is situated to the south end of the village close to the road to Ardersier Cemetery (grid reference NH 78287/54982) and is in the style of an obelisk of light grey granite decorated with a crossed sword and rifle under a wreath topped with a plain urn. Set in a walled enclosure of pink sandstone with 2 small cross of sacrifice of concrete with small railing to rear for wreaths. Overlooks both the village and the Cromarty Firth. Stone is recorded both in the Highland Sites and Monuments Record and the National Monuments Record of Scotland, Edinburgh but no information is available. The Ardersier War memorial gives a list of names and regiments. The following sources were used to gather information: - Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper 1914-1918 & 1939-1943 - Inverness Courier newspaper 1914-1918 & 1939-1943 - Commonwealth War Graves Commission database - The Canadian Virtual War Memorial - Soldiers died in the Great War CD - Soldiers died in the Great War (part 64) - Seaforth Highlanders - Soldiers died in the Great War (part 66) - Cameron Highlanders

- Gravestones in Ardersier Cemetery - Gravestones in Breaklish Churchyard - Gravestones in Petty Churchyard I would like to thank the following for their help during this project: - Mr. Peter John of Bristol for his help with sources from the Public Record

Office, London for information of awards of medals and help with military records from Canada;

- Staff of Nairn Library; - Staff of Inverness Library Photographs (all copyright of the author) included are of those soldiers commemorated on individual or family related memorials. I apologise if any of the information presented proves to be incorrect. Stuart Farrell October 2003

Below – Detailed view of names on memorial.

Inscription from Ardersier War Memorial Front Panel

1914 – 1918 Great European

War

In Honoured Memory of The Gallant Men

From the Parish and Village Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice

Sergt-Major Thomas H Bentley A.I.F Segrt George Bain Cameron HLdrs Pte Donald Carr ,, ,, Robert Forbes ,, ,, Donald Henderson (D.C.M) ,, ,, George Mackintosh ,, ,, Angus Mackintosh ,, ,, Rod R MacGillivray ,, ,, Albert MacLellan ,,

1939 These also served and gave their all 1945 Colin D Asher RAF James Johnstone A & SH William J Davidson RE Ronald MacDonald Camerons William Glass Seaforths Thomas MacDonald RC of Signals James Grant Camerons William G L MacDonald RN James J Gregory RAF William MacDonald A & SH Benjamin Johnstone Camerons Douglas McKendrick Green Howards James Smith RAF

Right Panel Pte Duncan MacLennan Camn HLdrs ,, William Norrie ,, ,, Robert Reid ,, ,, Hugh Reid ,, ,, James C Tulloch ,, L/Corpl George MacLennan ,, ,, William G Nicholson ,, Corpl Hugh Tulloch ,, Pte Angus Clarke Seafth HLdrs ,, William Gunn ,, ,, Charles Munro ,, Sergt-Major William Ross ,, Left Panel Pte William Fraser Gordon HLdrs Sergt Martin Malloy H.L.I Pte John MacLennan ,, ,, Charles Ratcliffe ,, ,, George Cameron Canadians ,, Herbert J P Muir ,, ,, Evan Fraser A.S.C ,, Alex Macleay Royal Scots ,, John K Smith Scots Guards Corpl James S Murray R.E Seaman Alex Sutherland R.N.R.T Driver John Macleod R.A.M.C

Service Records of personnel 1914 – 1918 Unfortunately due to enemy action in 1940 only about 25-30% of records for men who served in the First World War survive in the Public Record Office, London, with there being only a 1-in-3 to a 1-in-4 chance of finding a serviceman’s record surviving due to damage by water or smoke. Records do exist in the form of Medal Cards that were maintained by a separate department. Fortunately almost complete records do exist for those persons who served with other armies. In the case of the Ardersier War Memorial 2 soldiers served in the Canadian Armed Services (Private Herbert J P Muir and Private George Cameron – record not available – see entry) and 1 soldier served in the Australian Imperial Forces (Sergeant Thomas H Bentley) and most of their records survive. It was possible to obtain copies of part of their records and details of awards for medals. They include the following papers: - Attestation paper - Medical examination paper - Casualty form - Medal card - Medical history card - Service record - Pay record - Correspondence Medal cards were obtained for a number of individuals and a search made in the Public Record Office, London for 19 service records [service records were not available for any army personnel - those marked #] for the following: - Sergeant George Bain # - Private Donald Carr # - Private Angus Clarke # - Private Robert Forbes # - Private Evan Fraser # - Private William John Fraser # - Private William Gunn # - Private Donald Henderson # - Sergeant Martin Malloy # - Private James S Murray # - Lance-Cpl William George Nicholson # - Private William Norrie # - Private Charles Radcliffe # - Private Hugh Reid # - Private Robert Reid # - Sergeant-Major William Ross # - Private James C Tulloch # - Corporal Hugh Tulloch # - Seaman Alexander Sutherland (Service record only) Medals awarded could include the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. (See over). Also given to relatives were a commemorative bronze plaque (see over) and a scroll of remembrance (see over).

The memorial plaque was arranged after a competition in 1917. The design shows Britannia holding a trident and laurel wreath, with the two dolphins above representing Britain’s sea power. The Lion depicts the Allied strength; with the lion defeating an eagle below depicts the Allied victory over Germany and her allies. The Plaques were produced from December 1918, with many being made in former munitions factories. All together 1,150,000 were issued and were nicknamed “the dead man’s penny”.

The Commemorative Scroll was given to the next of kin for all those who were killed or died between August 4th 1914 and January 10th 1920. Scrolls were given out from January 1919.

Bibliography Unpublished Sources Canadian Archives – Veteran Affairs Book of Remembrance. Public Record Office WO/363 – Service Records of Other Ranks WO/364 – Service Records of Other Ranks WO/329 – First World War Medal Rolls WO/372 – First World War Medal Index

Farrell, S (2002) Auldearn War Memorial. Unpublished manuscript held in National Monuments Record of Scotland, Edinburgh. Highland Council Sites and Monuments Record NH75SE 33. National Monuments Record of Scotland CANMORE database for NH75SE 33.

Published Sources Anon (1931) Historical Records of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Volume 4. William Blackwood & Sons. Edinburgh. Imperial War Graves Commission (1931) The War graves of the British Empire – The register of the names of those who fell in the Great War and are buried in the cemeteries and churchyards in the Counties of Banff, Caithness, Moray, Nairn, Orkney, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Zetland Scotland. Imperial War Graves Commission. London. Spencer, W (ed al) (1999) Army Service Records of the First World War. Public Record Office Reader’s Guide no.19. Public Record Office Publications. London. 2

nd edition.

List of dead on war memorial : details 1914 - 1918 Sergeant George Bain

Date of death – 10th April 1917 Regiment – D Company 5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 8764 Place of burial – Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France grave II.C.3. Died of wounds received on 9th April at the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station. Aged 25 at date of death. Son of James and Jane Bain of 41 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Aberlour, Moray and enlisted at Inverness. Medal card survives (see over).

Sergeant Thomas Herbert Bentley

Date of death – 19th June 1916 Regiment – 23rd Battalion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Forces Regimental no. – 506 Place of burial – Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France grave II.E.210. Died of wounds. Aged 22 at date of death. Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes his age as 23 with his date of death being 19th June and rank as sergeant also son of Thomas Herbert and Margaret Ann Wemyss Bentley of 59 High Street Ardersier. Born Belfast. Service record only shows his rank as sergeant with death on 19th June not July as marked on family headstone. (See service papers over)

Private George Cameron

Date of death – Unknown Regiment - Canadians Regimental no. – Unknown Place of burial – Unknown The Canadian Virtual War Memorial database and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 4 George Camerons to have lost their life during WW1 but none of them have any additional information to say which one belongs to Ardersier. No record of death is mentioned in either the Nairnshire Telegraph or the Inverness Courier Newspapers for the period after their deaths. Men recorded are as follows: Pte George Edwin Cameron 3059666 28-9-1918 age 19 Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regt.) Pte George Hamilton Cameron 8422 21/10/1918 age 29 Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regt.) Son of Mrs E N Cameron 88 Agnes St, Maryhill, Glasgow Pte George Jacobs Cameron 2378692 01/10/1918 Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.) Pte George Wilbert Cameron 907866 13/01/1919 Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regt.)

Private Donald Carr

Date of death – 23rd or 28th April 1917 Regiment – 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 9268 Place of burial – Tank Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France grave F.1. Killed in action. Aged 23 at date of death. Soldiers Died in the Great War has his date of death as the 23rd whilst the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has him recorded on the 28th with initial R as forename. Noted in Soldiers Died in the Great War of born at Edinburgh, enlisted at Fort George and was resident at Stewarton, Ardersier. Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes him to be son of James Carr of 20 Gordonville Road, Haugh, Inverness. Formerly 980 of the Seaforth Highlanders. Medal card survives (see over).

Private Angus Clarke

Date of death – 27th July 1916 Regiment – 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – 2925 Place of burial – Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France grave I. C. 15. Killed in action. Aged 38 at date of death. Son of Donald and Jane Clarke, of Fort George. Noted in Soldiers Died in the Great War of enlisted at Forres. Recorded in Commonwealth War Graves Commission as in 1st/6th Battalion. Medal card survives (see over).

Private Robert Forbes

Date of death – 23rd July 1916 Regiment – 4th Battalion attached 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 200471 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Somme, France pier and face 5 D (Bottom addenda). Killed in action. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as enlisted at Inverness and resident in Ardersier.

Medal card survives (see over).

Driver Evan Fraser

Date of death – 30th November 1917 Regiment – 162nd Company Reserve Park, Army Service Corps Regimental no. – TR/092212 Place of burial – Duhallow ADS Cemetery Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium grave III. C. 20. Died of wounds. Born Inverness, enlisted at Fort George and resident in Ardersier. The cemetery was begun in July 1917 and was used by the 11th, 36th and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations.

Medal card survives (see over).

Private William John Fraser

Date of death – 23rd August 1918 Regiment – 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Regimental no. – S/19731 Place of burial – Warry Copse Cemetery, Courcelles-le-Comte, Pas de Calais, France grave A 39. Killed in action. Aged 19 at date of death. Son of William and Mary McDonald Fraser of Carse of Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier and enlisted at Inverness. Commonwealth War Graves Commission has him recorded as born at Aberdeen. Medal card survives (see over). Notice of death in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of the 22nd of October 1918 of ‘Mr Fraser, the Carse, Ardersier, has received official intimation that his son Private William J Fraser, Gordon Highlanders was killed in action on 23rd August. The following letter has been received from the Chaplain of his battalion “I am very sorry to have to inform you of the death of your son, who was killed at an early stage of our present advance. I have no further information that the mere fact of his death. I know how deep will be your sorrow at the loss of your son. We all knew his worth, for he made his influence felt among us. He did not spare himself in the discharge of his duties, and he showed an exemplary fearlessness in the face of the enemy. A soldier’s life is a most difficult and trying one, and throughout it all he lived the life in a manner that would gratify a father’s heart if he but knew. And now I wish you to know and to pay my tribute of respect and esteem to your son’s memory.” Previous to enlistment Private Fraser was in the employment of Mrs Arres-Mather, Delnies’.

Private William Gunn

Date of death – 18th August 1917 Regiment – 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – S/1598 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France pier and face 15 C. Killed in action. Aged 24 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Avoch and enlisted at Forres.

Medal card survives (see over).

Private Donald Henderson D.C.M

Date of death – 21st September 1918 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – S/25286 Place of burial – Marteville Communal Cemetery, Attilly Aisne, France grave B.5. Died of wounds. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Ardersier. Medal card survives (see over). Formerly 1831 of the Cameron Highlanders. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1916. Noted in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 11th March 1916 that on 25th September 1915 near Hulluch ‘Private Henderson accompanied a non-commissioned officer in an attack on an enemy communication trench, driving back the enemy, and capturing a supply of enemy bombs, which he used to pursue the enemy. Throughout the operations, he displayed the most fearless courage and devotion to duty’.

Private Roderick R MacGillivray

Date of death – 26th April 1917 Regiment – 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – S/25003 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France bay 9. Killed in action. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Knockbain, enlisted at Nairn and resident in Nairn.

Private Angus Mackintosh

Date of death – 1st August 1918 Regiment – 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – S/40234 Place of burial – Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, Aisne, France grave IVA. C. 4. Killed in action. Aged 28 at date of death. Son of Alexander and Ann Mackintosh of 129 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident at Ardersier. Family headstone in Petty Churchyard.

Private George Mackintosh

Date of death – Unknown Regiment – Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – Unknown Place of burial – Unknown No Private George Mackintosh of the Cameron Highlanders is recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War or in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Private Alexander MacLeay

Date of death – 27th April 1917 Regiment – 16th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers Regimental no. – 34254 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France bay 1 and 2. Killed in action. Aged 33 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Inverness and enlisted at Inverness. Notice of death in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of the 22nd May 1917 of ‘Private A McLeay Royal Scots kicked in action on April 27th.Enlisted in Royal Scots about 10 months ago. He was trained at Glencorse and embarked for France on 24th October 1916. Employed in the Garrison Shoe Shop, Fort George before joining the colours. He was well known throughout the country and Ardersier, where his widow and three children reside. He was very much respected by all who knew him, and the sympathy of all goes out to his widow and children, also his father, sisters and brothers, in their sore bereavement. As he is the second member of Mr McLeay’s family to law down his life for his country, a message of sympathy from the King accompanied the official notice’.

Private Albert MacLellan

Date of death – 11th November 1914 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 5054 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium panel 38 and 40. Killed in action. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Ardersier.

Private Duncan MacLennan

Date of death – 11th May 1915 Regiment – 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 2553 Place of burial – Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, Nord, France grave V. B. 12. Died of wounds. Aged 20 at date of death. Son of Norman and Mary MacLennan of 35 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as enlisted at Inverness and resident at Ardersier.

Lance Corporal George Alexander MacLennan

Date of death – 28th April 1917 Regiment – 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – S/23132 Place of burial – Tank British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France grave F. I. Killed in action at Arras. Aged 37 at date of death. Son of Hector and Anne McLennan, of Ardersier; husband of Isabella McAskill McLennan, of 72 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Ardersier and resident in Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as in 1st Battalion whilst Commonwealth War Graves Commission and family headstone has him in the 7th Battalion. Family headstone towards west end of Ardersier Cemetery notes date of death as the 23rd of April and rank as corporal. (See over)

Private John MacLennan

Date of death – 15th September 1916 Regiment – 10th/11th Battalion Highland Light Infantry Regimental no. – 22920 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France pier and face 15 C. Killed in action. Aged 26 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Ardersier.

Driver John MacLeod Date of death – Unknown Regiment – Royal Army Medical Corps Regimental no. – Unknown Place of burial – Unknown No Driver John MacLeod of the Royal Army Medical Corps is recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War or in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Sergeant Martin Malloy

Date of death – 28th April 1917 Regiment – 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry Regimental no. – 8647 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France bay 8. Killed in action. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Artboy, Westmeath, enlisted at York and resident at Thornhill Lees, Yorkshire. Recorded both in Soldiers Died in the Great War and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as surname as Molloy. Medal card survives (see over).

Private Herbert John Paton Muir

Date of death – 10th April 1917 Regiment – 31st Battalion Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) Regimental no. – 435798 Place of burial – Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus, Pas de Calais, France grave I. C. 1A. Killed in action. Aged 31 at date of death. Son of Daniel Muir, baker and Jessie Ann Doyle of 87 High Street, Ardersier. Service record survives (see over).

Private Charles M Munro

Date of death – 14th July 1916 Regiment – 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – S/6476 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France pier and face 15 C. Killed in action. Aged 19 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Rothes, Moray and enlisted at Forres with middle initial being N. Recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as being the son of Charles and Mary Munro of 23 Breich Street, Rothes, Moray. Notice of death in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of the 15th of August of 1916 of ‘Mr & Mrs Munro, Stuart Street, Ardersier late of Treetown Farm that their son Charles M Munro, Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action on July 14. He was only 19 years of age and enlisted in November 1914’.

Corporal James Sandford Murray

Date of death – 27th May 1915 Regiment – 51st Highland Division Signal Company Royal Engineers Regimental no. – 512 Place of burial – Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France grave XVII. E. 13. Died of wounds. Aged 20 at date of death. Soldiers Died in the Great War has him listed as Pioneer and enlisted at Aberdeen. Recorded in Commonwealth War Graves Commission as son of Elizabeth K. Murray, of 1114 Sixth Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A., and the late Rev. James Murray, D.D. Born at Nanse, Smyrna, Turkey in Asia. Enlisted from Aberdeen University in Sept 1914. Medal card survives (see over). Formerly 2171 of the Gordon Highlanders. The "Cabaret Rouge" was a house on the main road about 1 kilometre south of the village, at a place called Le Corroy, near the British cemetery. On the East side, opposite the cemetery, were dugouts used as Battalion Headquarters in 1916. The communication trenches ended here, including a very long one named from the Cabaret. The cemetery was begun by British troops in March 1916, and used until August 1917 (largely by the 47th (London) Division and the Canadian Corps) and - at intervals - until September 1918.

Lance Corporal William George Nicholson

Date of death – 12th March 1917 Regiment – 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – S/23919 Place of burial – Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, Pas de Calais, France grave III. F. 17. Killed in action. Son of Thomas and Marjory Colvin Nicholson, of Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as enlisted at Inverness and resident at Ardersier with rank as private and date of death as 23rd August 1916, though Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives date of 12th March 1917 as does family headstone. (Reason for 2 dates unknown) Medal card survives (see over).

Private William Norrie

Date of death – 14th September 1914 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 7643 Place of burial – Vendresee British Cemetery Aisne, France originally buried at Chivy German Cemetery Mem. 9. Died of wounds. Aged 26 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at born Petty, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Ardersier. Medal card survives (see over).

Private Charles Ratcliffe

Date of death – 29th September 1918 Regiment – 18th Battalion (4th Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry Regimental no. – 57979 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Panel 131 to 132. Killed in action. Aged 19 at date of death. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as Radcliffe. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at born at Ardersier, enlisted at Hamilton, Lanarkshire and resident in Ardersier. Son of Charles and Christina Ratcliffe of "Elmbank" Ardersier. Medal card survives (see over).

Private Hugh Reid

Date of death – 25th December 1916 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 7935 Place of burial – St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Seine-Maritime, France grave O. III. B. 5. Died of wounds. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Gollanfield. Medal card survives (see over). During the 1914-1918 War, British camps and hospitals were placed on the Southern outskirts of the city. They included eight General, five Stationary, one British Red Cross and one Native Labour Hospitals, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the war dead from these Hospitals was buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to St. Sever.

Private Robert Reid

Date of death – 29th September 1917 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 6084 Place of burial – Bleue-Maison Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France grave B.14. Killed in action. Aged 33 at date of death. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs J C Reid of Viewhill, Gollanfield; husband of Mary Reid of 138 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Nairn, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Nairn. Notice of death in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of the 16th of October 1917 of ‘Private Robert Reid, Cameron Highlanders, killed in action France September 30, was the fifth son of the late Mr. James C Reid, Viewhill, Gollanfield’.

Medal card survives (see over).

Sergeant- Major William Ross

Date of death – 25th September 1915 Regiment – A Company 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – S/1935 Place of burial – Cabaret- Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France grave VI. H. 5. Killed in action at Loos. Aged 46 at date of death. Awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Served at the Relief of Chitral (1895). Husband of Annie Ross of Murray House, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Tain and enlisted at Fort George. Medal card survives (see over).

Private John Kennedy Smith

Date of death – 25th /26th October 1914 Regiment – 2nd Battalion Scots Guards Regimental no. – 4591 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium panel 11. Killed in action. Aged 29 at date of death. Son of John and Flora Smith, of 63 High Street, Ardersier; husband of Christina Smith, of 25 High Street, Ardersier. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardenden, enlisted at Hamilton and resident at Ardenden. Date of death given in Soldiers Died in the Great War as the 25th, whilst the Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his date of death as the 26th.

Seaman Alexander Main Sutherland

Date of death – 24th September 1915 Regiment – H.M Drifter “Great Heart” Royal Navy Reserve Regimental no. – 412 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, UK panel 10. Killed in action. Son of Ellen Main Sutherland of 114 High Street, Ardersier and the late James Sutherland. Recorded in Commonwealth War Graves Commission as rank as Trimmer cook. Service record survives (see over).

Corporal Hugh Tulloch

Date of death – 16th June 1915 Regiment – B Company 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 1644 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France panel 41 and 42. Killed in action. Aged 21 at date of death.

Brother of James Campbell Tulloch. Eldest son of Margaret C T Mackay (formerly Tulloch) of Tomhomie, Gollanfield and the late Charles Tulloch. Recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as born at Ardersier, enlisted at Inverness and resident in Gollanfield. Soldiers Died in the Great War has his rank as Lance corporal as does the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Medal card survives (see over).

A note of his death appears in the Nairnshire Telegraph Newspaper dated the 22nd of June 1915 when it states that he was engaged in farm work before the war. The following week’s edition of the 29th of June 1915 has a letter from his company commander Captain F W Fraser of “I regret very much that it is my sad duty to write to you with sad information that your son, Corporal Hugh Tulloch, of my company, was killed in action last Wednesday, and, on behalf of myself, my officers, and all ranks of the company, convey to you their most sincere sympathy for you all in your bereavement. Through his death I feel that I have lost one of my best and most promising non-commissioned officers. He was always steady, most reliable and to be dependable upon in all his work, cool in action, and encouraging to the men of his section. He was killed by a shell while the company was going into action, but suffered no pain, as death was instantaneous. His was a noble death, and it must be a satisfaction to know that he died doing his duty in defence of a cause which is dear to every true Highlander. I regret being so long in writing you, but there is always a lot of work to attend to after these affairs, and especially when as is too often the case, so many men disappear from our midst”. The same edition records part of the a letter from the company sergeant of “You indeed have lost a noble son, who gave his best for his home, King and country, while we have lost a comrade whom we all loved and respected. He was always ready and willing to help in any way he could. He was one of the most efficient N.C.O’s in the battalion, and without exception the best liked”. The letter from his company commander was also published in the Inverness Courier newspaper dated 29th June 1915.

Private James Campbell Tulloch

Date of death – 23rd September 1917 Regiment – 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – 288103 Place of burial – Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium grave XLI.A.15. Killed in action. Aged 20 at date of death. Born Ardersier and enlisted at Inverness. Formerly 4538 of the Cameron Highlanders. Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes him as 1st/6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. Son of Margaret C T Mackay (formerly Tulloch) of Tomhomie, Gollanfield and the late Charles Tulloch. His brother is Hugh Tulloch. Medal card survives (see over).

List of dead on war memorial : details 1939 – 1945 Sergeant Colin Dingwall Asher Date of death – 27th June 1941 Regiment – 57 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Regimental no. – 966017 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK panel 38. Killed in action. Aged 21 at date of death. Family headstone notes death as being either 27th or 28th but Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes 27th.

Corporal William John Davidson Date of death – 26th February 1942 Regiment – 35th Fortress Company Royal Engineers Regimental no. – 1867241 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial, Singapore column 39. Missing in action. Aged 28 at date of death. Son of Alexander and Jane Davidson of Ardersier.

Private William Glass Date of death – 4th June 1940 Regiment – 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Regimental no. – 2820764 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France column 125. Killed in action. Aged 25 at date of death. Private James Grant Date of death – 18th May 1940 Regiment – 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 2931014 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France column 128. Killed in action. Aged 22 at date of death. Son of Donald and Helen Grant of the Ship Inn, Ardersier. Noted in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of June 4th 1940 that Pte Grant was the first casualty of the parish. The Rev Wm Graham, East Church of Ardersier in his monthly letter to the congregation wrote: “It is with sorrow that we chronicle the first casualty of the parish. James Grant, serving

with the Camerons. He has resolutely refused to be released for farm service, and of his own choice took his stand in the ranks of the line. The warmest sympathy goes out to his family, from all in this congregation.” Leading Aircraftman James J Gregory Date of death – 23rd November 1943 Regiment – Royal Air Force Regimental no. – 632597 Place of burial – Calcutta Cemetery, India plot O row F grave 8. Aged 26 at date of death.

Private Benjamin John Johnstone Date of death – 4th December 1941 Regiment – 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 2935883 Place of burial – Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya plot 3 row H grave 17. Killed in action. Aged 28 at date of death. Son of Alexander and Isabella Johnstone of Ardersier. Private James Johnstone Date of death – 19th November 1942 Regiment – 8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental no. – 2987002 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Medjez-el-Bab Memorial, Tunisia face 32. Killed in action. Aged 23 at date of death.

Private Ronald MacDonald Date of death – 1st June 1940 Regiment – 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders Regimental no. – 2929036 Place of burial – Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France plot 3 row LL joint grave 4-5. Killed in action. Aged 22 at date of death. Son of George and Helen MacDonald of Ardersier. Lance Corporal Thomas MacDonald Date of death – 1st October 1942 Regiment – Royal Corps of Signals Regimental no. – 2321689 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Sai Wan Memorial, China (Hong Kong) column 9. Died as prisoner of war. Aged 25 at date of death.

Ordinary Seaman William Graham Loudon MacDonald Date of death – 22nd June 1941 Regiment – H.M Trawler “Beech” Royal Navy Patrol Service Regimental no. – LT/JX 207672 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk panel 6 column 2. Son of the late John MacDonald and Mrs MacDonald of 97 High Street, Ardersier. Missing, presumed killed in action. Noted in the Nairnshire Telegraph newspaper of July 1st 1941 that he was 20 years of age and prior to joining up was employed with Messrs James MacPherson & Sons merchants, Ardersier. His father was lost at sea in the Moray Firth some years previously. Private William Johnstone MacDonald Date of death – 21st May 1940 Regiment – 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental no. – 2984683 Place of burial – Franleu Churchyard, Somme, France row B grave 2. Killed in action. Aged 32 at date of death. Son of George MacDonald and of Jessie MacDonald (nee Johnstone); husband of Winifred MacDonald of Rothesay. (Only W MacDonald of A & SH listed in CWGC) Private Douglas McKendrick Date of death – 15th November 1942 Regiment – 6th Battalion Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) Regimental no. – 2934945 Place of burial – El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt plot IX row E grave 11. Killed in action. Aged 22 at date of death. Son of Matthew and Elspeth McKendrick of Ardersier.

Flight Sergeant James Smith Date of death – 4th February 1942 Regiment – 232 Squadron Royal Air Force Regimental no. – 560485 Place of burial – Unknown. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial, Singapore column 414. (Only James Smith to die in 1942 in Far East)