County Sutherland Tribute

Pioneer James David Sutherland

2011-07-11T17:14:00.002+01:00

159314 Pioneer James David Sutherland, No 1 Special Coy, Royal Engineers, who died 2nd December 1917, son of Hector and Joanna Sutherland of Lybster, Caithness. James was educated at Sutherland Technical School, Golspie.

James is buried in Dusians British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France - photograph above.

Many thanks to Morag Sutherland for photographs.

Pte Alexander Sutherland

2011-07-11T16:41:00.002+01:00

Private Alexander Sutherland, born 20th January 1888 at Pittentrail, Rogart, son of John Sutherland and Catherine Sutherland. Alexander, Private, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in France on 9th June 1918. He is buried in the Wanquetin Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He is also commemorated on the Rogart War Memorial and on his parents' gravestone at St. Callan's churchyard, Rogart.

Many thanks to Morag Sutherland for this photograph.

Remembrance

2010-11-13T23:48:00.002Z

.........
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
..........

The image above is a widescreen desktop size. Click on the image to bring it up full size and please feel free to save it to your own desktop. Thanks to Shirley Sutherland and Morag Sutherland of County Sutherland, Scotland, for the above image.

Please also view the beautiful image created by Joan HERE.
and by Jan HERE.
and for those who create their own scrap books please do not miss this kit created by Judy HERE.

Chris

Pte. Alexander Graham

2010-09-23T13:06:00.007+01:00

Alexander Graham, was born in Brora, Clyne, son of George Graham and Christina Sutherland of Doll, Brora.

Alexander was formerly in the Lovat Scouts, Cameron Highlanders. He was awarded the territorial Efficiency Medal on 1st July 1913. When he died on 26th June 1917 he was with the 7th Cameron Highlanders and was a Prisoner of War.

Alexander is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Germany. The cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. During the war almost 3,000 Allied soldiers and civilians, including French, Russian and Commonwealth, were buried there In 1922-23 it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries. Niederzwehren was one of those chosen and in the following four years, more than 1,500 graves were brought into the cemetery from 190 burial grounds in Baden, Bavaria, Hanover, Hesse and Saxony.

He is also commemorated on the Clyne War Memorial.
Many thanks to David Fraser for the above information.

ANZAC day, BELGIUM

2010-04-25T19:12:00.001+01:00

Two photographs taken at the dawn service at Polygon Wood/ Buttes cemetery, Belgium in 2009 by George Sutherland, Brora. Anzac day in Belgium is commemorated with much dignity.

ANZAC day, 2010

2010-04-24T12:18:00.005+01:00

A tribute to all those who fell in two World Wars from Australia and New Zealand created by Chris. Clicking on the image will give you a full size view. You may download a copy of this image to use as a desktop wallpaper here.

A beautiful desktop below created by Joan. You can download it here.

Pte. William Morrison, CEF

2010-04-15T21:49:00.002+01:00

William Morrison, son of Donald Morrison and his wife Johan Fraser of Badcall, Eddrachillis, was a Private in the 58th Battallion Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined the Battalion in 1915 when he was 44 years of age declaring himself to be 7 years younger. He had been a motorman with the Toronto Street Railway after emigrating in 1907 and joined up with some of his colleagues resulting in this special plaque to their collective memory - Street Railway workers War Memorial, Old City Hall, Toronto, Canada. William was killed at the Somme on 19th September 1916 three days after his brother Donald died fighting with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. William left behind a wife, Catherine (Kate) Macleod and sons Alec, Angus and Donald and daughters Joan and Nina.

William is commemorated on the Scourie War Memorial.

Thank you to Marion Quillan for the information and photographs.

Pte. William Morrison, CEF

2010-04-15T21:25:00.002+01:00

Many thanks to Marion Quillan for the above information and photographs.

Pte. Charles Mackenzie

2010-01-04T10:37:00.001Z

Private Charles Mackenzie, 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, born 1897 Helmsdale, Kildonan, son of Robert Mackenzie and his wife Elizabeth Ann Virgo of the Bannockburn Inn, Stafford Street, Helmsdale. Charles, a butcher to trade, joined the army in May 1916 at Golspie. He was killed in action on 19th December 1917 and is buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France. He is commemorated on the Kildonan War Memorial.

Photograph, courtesy of Ron Patrick, Ontario, shows Charles with his sister Margaret.

Seaman, R.N.R. James Macdonald Mackay

2009-11-18T20:01:00.005Z

James Macdonald Mackay was born at Portskerra, Farr, son of Colin Mackay and his wife Catherine Macdonald and grandson of George Mackay, crofter and fisherman, and his wife Elizabeth Mackay and of James Macdonald, fisherman, and his wife Catherine Cameron.

James died aboard H.M.S. Victory on 12th September 1918 from pneumonia. He is buried in a War Grave in Kirkton Melvich Burial Ground. His parents are buried in the same burial ground. James is commemorated on the Portskerra and Melvich War Memorial and is recorded in the Clan Mackay Society War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Photograph by Christine Stokes

Pte. Thomas Mackay & his brother Pte. William Mackay

2009-11-18T19:13:00.002Z

Thomas (Tommy)born 24th August 1892 and his brother William (Willie) born 7th December 1895 were born at Achumore, Strath Halladale, Farr, sons of John Mackay, crofter, and his wife Catherine Mackay. The boys are grandsons of John Mackay, master gardener and his wife Helen Chambers and off John Mackay, crofter, and Marjory Mackay.

Pte. Thomas Ross Mackay, 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders died of pneumonia on 30th April 1915 at Bedford, England. He was taken back to Sutherland and buried in a War Grave next to his family grave in Melvich Kirkton, Farr. He was 22 years old.

Pte. William Sutherland Mackay, also with the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action on 14th September 1915 at Albert, Somme, France. He is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery there.

Both boys are commemorated on Strath Halladale War Memorial, Clan Mackay Society War Memorial Roll of Honour and on their parents' gravestone.

Photograph above taken by Christine Stokes

Becourt Miltary Cemetery, Somme, France

2009-11-18T18:57:00.001Z

Becourt and Albert villages were behind the lines for the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and were important areas during that time as well as before. Becordel-Becourt was the location of a large artillery depot, and many troops bivouacked here as they made their way up the lines. The village lies in a valley, and so was protected from the lines near Fricourt to the east by the contours of the land. Because of this, it was also an area used by the medical facilities of the Army; the 14th Field Ambulance were based here for the start of the Battle of the Somme with other Field Ambulance units being sited here later during the battles, and there were also Advanced Dressing Stations here as well. The Military Cemetery was begun in August, 1915, by the 51st (Highland) Division, and carried on by other Divisions in the line until the Battles of the Somme, 1916. It continued in use, chiefly by Field Ambulances, until April, 1917 another plot was made by the 18th Division at the end of August, 1918. There are over 700 casualties buried here.

See also:

Pte. William S. Mackay

Lance Cpl. William A. Macgregor

2009-11-18T18:24:00.003Z

William was born around 1895 at Loch Carron, Ross-shire, son of Archibald Macgregor, baker, and his wife Mary Hardy. This family were living in The Custom's House, Shore Street, Helmsdale, Kildonan, in the 1901 census. William's younger siblings Alice and George Alexander were born in Hemsdale. His older brother John H. Macgregor who was born in Morayshire also lived in the town.
William was with the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. He was discharged as unfit in May 1918 and died on 26th October that year. He is buried in Helmsdale Cemetery in a War Grave and is commemorated on the Kildonan War Memorial.

Pte W Macintosh, New Zealand Field Artillery

2009-11-17T20:33:00.003Z

William was born 5th September 1886 in Eddrachillis, son of Hugh Macintosh and his wife Robina Calder of Achriesgill, Eddrachillis. He emigrated to New Zealand where he was employed as a miner. On 9th September 1914 he joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. He was 5'8" tall, weighed 147lbs, had a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was fit and healthy.

William's Military History Sheet shows that he was in New Zealand on 14th September 1914 and then transferred to Egypt as a driver in the New Zealand Artillery. He was wounded by a stray bullet in the Dardanelles on 12th Spetember 1915. He was admitted to hospital on Malta and later transferred to hospital in England. He died on 21st February 1916 at Walton on Thames Hospital, London. His war record states that he was buried in Walton but he does have a War Grave in Oldshore Burial Ground, Oldshoremore, Eddrachillis.

William was awarded the British War Medal and the victory Medal. His next of kin was his father Hugh in Achriesgill who was awarded his army pension of £15 per annum.

William is commemorated on the Kinlochbervie War Memorial and in the New Zealand Roll of Honour, The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

Thanks to Shona Mackay, New Zealand for the above information.
Photograph by Christine Stokes

Pte Peter Gordon, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-17T20:16:00.001Z

Peter was born at West Helmsdale, Kildonan, son of Peter Gordon and his wife Isabella Mackay. Young Peter was the grandson of Joseph Gordon, crofter of Kildonan, and his wife Elizabeth Sutherland and also of William Mackay, weaver in Farr, and his wife Barbara Mackay.

Peter enlisted in the army in 1911. He was discharged in July 1917 when he returned home. He died at Badnellan, West Helmsdale, on 15th July 1918 aged 25 years. He is buried in a War Grave in Helmsdale cemetery, next to his father who had died in 1917. Peter is commemorated on Kildonan War Memorial, Helmsdale.

Pte (Sniper) William Mackay, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-17T19:56:00.002Z

William Mackay was born in Clyne on 30th June 1872, son of John Mackay, crofter, and his wife, Williamina Ross. The family lived at West Clyne. William was a plumber to trade and married Jane Mowatt Murray, known as Jeannie. They lived in Roslyn Street, Brora, Clyne. William enlisted in the army in 2008. He was with the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. He was mobilised in August 1914 arriving in France on 1st May 1915. In December that year he was discharged on medical grounds and remained on the sick list until his death. He died on 29th January 1918 in Roslin Street, Brora. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is buried in a War Grave in Clyne Cemetery, Brora. he is commemorated on the family headstone in the same cemetery and listed on the Clyne War Memorial and the Clyne Parish Church War Memorial. His wife Jeannie died in 1963.

Pte. Donald Macleod, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-17T11:18:00.001Z

Pte. Donald Macleod was born in Assynt circa 1891, son of Norman Macleod, carpenter (born in Assynt) and his wife Catherine Ross who was born in Coigach, Wester Ross. Donald, a joiner to trade, died while with the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders from measles and pneumonia at a depot in Bedford, England. He was returned to Lochinver for burial in Lochinver Cemetery with a War Grave and is commemorated on Lochinver War Memorial.

Donald is the grandson of Donad Macleod and his wife Margaret Macrae and of John Ross and Elizabeth Macdonnel.

Pte Donald Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-17T10:54:00.000Z

Donald Sutherland was born circa 1886 Clyne. He died 8th May 1920 near the railway bridge, Brora, when he accidentally drowned whilst trout fishing, aged 29 years – he served in the war arriving in France on 1st May 1915, Private with the 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, he was demobilized after the war and returned to his trade as a journeyman plumber – following his death he was buried in a War Grave in Brora Cemetery and commemorated on the Clyne War Memorial.

Donald is the son of Roderick Sutherland (born Clyne) and his wife Jessie Ewing (born Rogart). He is the grandson of John Sutherland, crofter, and his wife Janet Macdonald and of Alexander Ewing, ploughman, and his wife Marion Macpherson.

Pte. J. Macdonald, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-17T10:15:00.001Z

Private John Macdonald (Johnie), 1/5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, died 1st June 1920 at Gower Street, Brora, Clyne, aged 31 years. He is buried in Brora, Clyne, Cemetery in a War Grave and commemorated on Clyne War Memorial.

Johnie was born in Clyne, son of John Macdonald, an engine driver (born Golspie) and his wife Celia (born Clyne). Johnie was a carpenter to trade in Durham, England. He was very ill and returned home from Durham shortly before his death.

Trooper W J Sutherland, WW2

2009-11-17T09:59:00.001Z

Trooper William John Sutherland, Lovat Scouts died in World War Two on 22nd January 1942 in Lanarkshire. He is buried in Brora Cemetery, Clyne in War Grave, commemorated on family headstone, Clyne War Memorial and on the Lovat Scouts Roll of Honour in The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh. William was single.

William was born 6th April 1916 in Clyne, son of William Sutherland of Brora, Clyne and his wife Johan Murray. Grandson of Alexander Sutherland and his wife Mary Baillie and of Alexander Murray and his wife Janet Gordon.

Leading Seaman W. G. Alexander WW2

2009-11-17T08:34:00.001Z

William Green Alexander, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy Patrol Service, H. M. Trawler 'Gloria', drowned 19th March 1942 St. Mary's Holm, Kirkwall, Orkney, age 30 years. William was born in Watten, Caithness, and lived with his wife Jessie Ann Alexander of Embo, Dornoch, in Wick. William was a painter pre war service. He is buried in a War Grave in Dornoch Golf Road Cemetery and listed on the Dornoch War Memorial.
Photograph by Christine Stokes

Lt. William Sutherland, WW2

2009-11-17T08:21:00.001Z

Lt. William Munro Sutherland, Royal Army Pay Corps, died 28th January 1946 aged 59 years, buried in War Grave, Dornoch Golf Road Cemetery. Son of James Sutherland and his wife Catherine, husband of Margaret Mackay.
Photograph by Christine Stokes

Gunner Angus Mackay, WW2

2009-11-17T07:58:00.001Z

Gunner Angus Swanson Mackay (Angie), Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, died 29th Spetember 1945 age 21, son of Thomasina Mackay, Embo, Dornoch and nephew of John Mackay, Embo, buried Dornoch Golf Road Cemetery. Commemorated on Dornoch War Memorial.

Photograph by Christine Stokes.

Pte. Hugh Munro

2009-11-17T07:49:00.001Z

Pte Hugh Munro, 1/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, died 4th April 1915 age 19, born 1896 Dornoch, son of Hugh Munro, crofter, and his wife Betsy of Rearquhar, Dornoch.

Hugh is buried in Dornoch Golf Road Cemetery, listed on the Dornoch War Memorial and commemorated on the Memorial plaque in Dornoch Free Church.

Photograph by Christine Stokes

Pte. Christopher Mackay

2009-11-16T09:37:00.002Z

Pte. Christopher Mackay (Machugh), Home Service Section, New Zealand Imperial Force - also shown as Quartermaster Sergeant (Warrant Officer Second Class) New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, Service Number 16921. Died 12th October 1918 at Featherstone Camp, buried Featherstone Soldiers Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand. Brother of Miss B. Mackay, Achriesgill, Eddrachillis. He was born circa 1869.

Christopher was born in Achriesgill about 1871 to Barbara Mackay. Barbara was a daughter of Angus Mackay and Barbara McCallum. Christopher grew up in Achriesgill and he emigrated to New Zealand sometime after 1891. He is commemorated on Kinlochbervie War Memorial. See also National War Memorial New Zealand. Information from Ray Mackay, Scourie, Eddrachillis.

William Macdonald and brother John

2009-11-16T09:13:00.003Z

Pte William Macdonald, Seaforth Highlanders, died 21st March 1918 in France. On the same day his brother Lance Corporal John Macdonald, Seaforth Highlanders, died age 23, also in France.

They are sons of Pipe Major William Macdonald and his wife Jessie Murray of Craigmohr, Golspie. Pipe Major Macdonald was born in Rogart. His wife in Brora, Clyne. In 1901 this family were living in Main Street, Golspie. Pipe Major William died in 1909. Jessie lived until 1933. They are buried in Golspie where William and John are commemorated on their gravestone.

The boys are also commemorated on The Arras War Memorial, France and on Golspie War Memorial.
Photographs of the panels at Arras by Shirley Sutherland.

Lance Cpl. John Bain

2009-11-16T07:21:00.003Z

Lance Corporal John Bain, 5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, killed in action 13th March 1917 France. John was born at Rosskeen, Ross-shire. He is the son of Mr Bain, shepherd, Clayside, Golspie. His home is shown as Dunrobin Glen, Golspie and he enlisted in Golspie in 1915. Would like to know more about John if anyone can help. Who are his parents?

He is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France and listed on the Golspie War Memorial.

Lt. JG Robert Neil Mackay SC

2009-11-15T22:55:00.002Z

LTJG Robert Neil McKay, SC, United States Naval Reserve, World War Two
Robert Neil McKay was a Supply Officer of the USS Aaron Ward during the later stages of World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously, the only Supply Officer to have earned the award. Born on July 10, 1920 in Los Angeles, California, he was the youngest of three children of Neil and Lillian Stoddard McKay. He was the grandson of Neil McKay and Mary Gunn of Sydenham Township, Grey County, Ontario, Canada, and the great great grandson of Angus McDonald and Isobel McKay who had emigrated in 1841 from Farr, Sutherland.

On February 4, 1942 Robert, who suffered from seasickness, enlisted in the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School and was assigned to the Aaron Ward. On April 30, 1945 kamikazes attacked the ship off the coast of Okinawa, damaged it, but did not manage to sink it. In one of these attacks, Robert was injured but stayed on to fight. A kamikaze plane stuck the deckhouse bulkhead that Robert and his fellow gun crew were manning. Robert and his crew are officially listed as missing in action.

CDR Sanders, the Aaron Ward’s commanding officer, recommended Robert Mckay for the Silver Star. He wrote, “As Sky Three Officer, he directed the fire of his automatic weapons and caused them to deliver a deadly barrage against the enemy. Although injured from the first suicide crash nearby, he remained at his station, rallying his men for the impending attacks. His heroic perseverance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. He is now missing in action.”
In addition to the Silver Star, Robert McKay was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart. His name is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial (Hawaii).
Placed here by Carol Small.

Pte. James Armstrong

2009-11-15T20:34:00.002Z

James Armstrong born circa 1883, killed in action 12th May 1916 France, Private, 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders – buried Vermelles British Cemetery, France, listed on Lairg War Memorial.

James was born at Shiness, Lairg, son of Joseph Gordon Armstrong, shepherd, and his wife Barbara Ross. This family lived for many years at Blairbuie, Shiness. James's parents are buried in Lairg Cemetery. Descendants of this family still live in Sutherland today.

Vermelles British Cemetery, France

2009-11-15T20:23:00.001Z

Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Vermelles was in German hands from the middle of October 1914 to the beginning of December 1914, when it was recaptured by the French. The cemetery was begun in August 1915 (though a few graves are slightly earlier), and during the Battle of Loos, when the Chateau was used as a dressing station, Plot I was completed. It was laid out and fenced by the Pioneers of the 1st Gloucesters, and known for a long time as "Gloucester Graveyard". The remaining Plots were made by the Divisions (from the Dismounted Cavalry Division onwards) holding the line 1.6 kilometres East of the cemetery until April 1917, and they incorporated a few isolated French graves of October 1914. From April 1917, to the Armistice, the cemetery was closed; but after the Armistice graves were brought in (to Plots II, IV and VI) from the battlefields to the East.
There are 2,134 graves here.

See also:
James Armstrong

Canadian National War Memorial

2009-11-15T09:19:00.016Z

Canada's National War Memorial is situated in Ottowa

The above photograph shows Canada's Parliament Building in the background.

Photograph by David Thomas

A close up of the centre part of the memorial taken by Judi McLeod

This photograph by Dorothy Blais was taken in November 2008

when this special vigil was created of all the veterans of WW1 It took place in 6 cities in Canada and one in England. The names were illuminated gradually for all to see and pay their respects.

Photograph above taken by David Thomas on 11th November 2009.

A group of mounted police are to the left of a platoon of soldiers. This cemetery is the only national war cemetery in Canada, and is only a few years old; the country's fallen in the first and second world wars are buried in Commonwealth war cemeteries throughout Europe.

The following Canadians are listed on the War Memorials of Sutherland
(CEF = Canadian Expeditionary Force)

AIRD John Cpll 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles – Lochinver WM WW1
BANNERMAN Angus Pte 11th Bn CEF - Kildonan WM WW1
CAMPBELL David L/Sgt 16th Bn CEF – Melness WM WW1
CAMPBELL George Pte 5th Bn CEF - Loth WM WW1
CAMPBELL John L Pte M.M. 8th Bn CEF – Lairg WM WW1
CAMPBELL Lorne Lt Canadian Mounted Rifles – Rosehall WM WW1
DAVIDSON Alexander Sgt 85th Bn CEF - Loth WM WW1
DENEAUX Raymond Pte Canadian Forestry Corps - Creich WM WW2
DUFF Walter Cpl 16th Bn CEF - Creich WM WW1
DUNCAN Robert G Pte 43rd Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
GORDON Thomas S Pte 2nd Canadian Pioneers - Kildonan WM WW1
GRAHAM Hugh Pte 25th Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
GRANT John Pte 5th Bn CEF – Dornoch WM WW1
GRANT William Signaller 8th Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
GRAY Malcolm M Cpl 102nd Bn CEF – Lairg WM WW1
GREY G Pte CEF - Kinlochbervie WM WW1
GUNN Angus Lance Cpl 43rd Bn CEF – Strathnaver WM WW1
KERR Murdo Pte 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles – Lochinver WM WW1
KERR William Pte 5th Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
LEVY George Pte 43rd Bn CEF - Creich WM WW1
MACDONALD Alexander Pte 173rd Bn CEF - Golspie WM WW1
MACDONALD Murdo Pte 1st Reserve Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MACKAY Alexander R Pte CEF – Lairg WM WW1
MACKAY Alexander S Pte 28th Bn CEF - Strathnaver WM WW1
MACKAY Andrew Pte CEF - Loth WM WW1
MACKAY Angus Pte 5th Bn CEF - Rogart WM WW1
MACKAY, Daniel G, Pte, CEF - Skerray WM WW1
MACKAY Donald Pte 20th Bn CEF - Strathnaver WM WW1
MACKAY, Eric, Pte, 15th Bn CEF - Skerray WM WW1
MACKAY George Pte 10th Bn CEF - Strath Halladale WW1
MACKAY George W Pte 16th Bn CEF – Melness WM WW1
MACKAY George Pte CEF - Creich WM WW1
MACKAY Neil Sgt MM 31st Bn CEF - Kildonan WM WW1
MACKENZIE Kenneth Sgt 25th Bn CEF - Rogart WM WW1
MACLEAN John Pte CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MACLEOD Angus Pte 16th Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MACLEOD Benjamin 2nd Lt Canadian Field Artillery - Strath Halladale WW1
MACLEOD John Pte CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MACLEOD William Stoker Royal Navy Canadian Volunteer Reserve – Lochinver WM WW1
MACPHERSON Donald Pte CEF – Clyne WM WW1
MACRAE Alexander Pte 8th Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
MATHESON George Sgt 49th Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MATHESON Henry Sgt 52nd Bn CEF – Lochinver WM WW1
MELVILLE Charles Regimental Sgt Major 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles - Rogart WM WW1
MELVILLE William Pte 1st Bn Grenadier Guards - Loth WM WW1
MILNE, William G Pte 43rd Bn CEF - Skerray WM WW1
MORRISON W Pte CEF – Durness WM WW1
MORRISON William Pte CEF – Scourie WW1
MUNRO Donald Sgt 16th Bn CEF - Tongue WM WW1
MUNRO William Pte Toronto Scottish (Machine Gun) Regt – Lochinver WM WW2
MURRAY George Pe Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry - Kildonan WM WW1
O'BRIEN George Sgt 27th Bn CEF – Strathnaver WM WW1
POLSON Alexander Pte CEF - Kildonan WM WW1
RANKINE Donald H Pte 43rd Bn CEF – Melness WM WW1
ROSS Alexander R Pte Canadian Transport Service – Bettyhill WM WW1
ROSS Andrew Sgt 5th Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
ROSS John D Pte 19th Bn CEF – Dornoch WM WW1
SHAW Okain C Pte 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles - Tongue WM WW1
SUTHERLAND Alexander Pte CEF – Clyne WM WW1
SUTHERLAND Alexander Pte CEF - Kildonan WM WW1
SUTHERLAND Donald Pte 52nd Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
SUTHERLAND Kenneth Pte 43rd Bn CEF – Clyne WM WW1
WALLACE Mark Pte 16th Bn CEF - Loth WM WW1

See also:
BAILLIE Nova Scotia
MACKENZIE Donald A.

Dornoch Cathedral

2009-11-14T21:11:00.001Z

I apologise for the poor quality of this photograph but anyone who has ried to photograph a brass plaque in a Cathedral will understand.

This is the Roll of Honour to the War Dead inside Dornoch Cathedral.

Plus this stone plaque erected by the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

Photographs by Christine Stokes

A. T. Murray, Royal Navy

2009-11-14T20:52:00.004Z

Memorial in Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney

HMS Royal Oak was a Revenge-class battleship of the British Royal Navy, torpedoed at anchor by the German submarine U-47 on 14 October 1939. The Royal Oak was anchored at Scapa Flow in Orkney, Scotland when she became the first of the five Royal Navy battleships and battlecruisers sunk in the Second World War. The loss of life was heavy: of Royal Oak's complement of 1,234 men and boys, 833 were killed that night or died later of their wounds. Now lying upside-down in 30 m of water with her hull 5 m beneath the surface, Royal Oak is a designated war grave. In an annual ceremony to mark the loss of the ship, Royal Navy divers place a White Ensign underwater at her stern. Unauthorised divers are prohibited from approaching the wreck at any time.

One of the sailors who lost his life on board was Archibald Theodore Murray, born 1898 in Norwich, England, great grandson of William Murray, Rhemusaig, Rogart, and his wife Catherine Grant. He is shown on the memorial as A T Murray.

For anyone researching ancestors in Orkney I have included the above photograph taken inside the Cathedral of their 1914 -1918 Memorial Ross.
Photographs taken by Christine Stokes. Archibald Murray is on my own family tree.

Varennes, Somme, France

2009-11-12T15:14:00.003Z

Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France
The cemetery was laid out by the 39th Casualty Clearing Station in August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, but the first burials were made during August and September by more mobile divisional field ambulances. The 4th and 11th Casualty Clearing Stations then used the cemetery from October 1916, joined by the 47th from December 1916, but by May 1917 Varennes was deserted and remained so until the Germans launched their offensive in this quarter in April 1918. The cemetery was then extended by the 17th and 38th (Welsh) Divisions by the addition of plots II and III, and at the beginning of September 1918, the 3rd Canadian and 59th Casualty Clearing Stations arrived at Varennes.

See also:

Private George Morrison

Pte. George Morrison, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-12T15:00:00.005Z

Pte. George Morrison, Seaforth Highlanders was killed in action 13th November 1916 Beaumont Hamel, France, age 20 years. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery, France - plot I.E.54. Commemorated on Kinlochbervie War Memorial. George is the son of Falconer Morrison and his wife Johan Macleod who lived in Achriesgill, Kinlochbervie.

Sgt. Robert Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders

2009-11-12T13:30:00.005Z

Sgt. Robert Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders.

Killed in Action 9th April 1917 The Scarpe, Arras, France.

Robert was born in Clyne in 1893, son of George and Robina Sutherland of Moss Hill, Brora. He worked for the North of Scotland Bank starting his career with them at Brora in 1908. At the time of mobilization he was working in the Eastgate Branch, Inverness. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France, Bay 8. He is also commemorated on the Clyne War Memorial. Listed on the Clyne United Free Church War Memorial, recorded in the Seaforth Highlanders Ross of Honour, The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle and recorded in the North of Scotland Bank Roll of Honour book and on their memorial in Aberdeen.

Photograph by Shirley Sutherland.

Sgt. Alexander Macdonald

2009-11-12T13:10:00.003Z

Sgt. Alexander Macdonald, Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action 13th November 1916 Beaumont Hamel, France. Alexander was born in Golspie in 1884 and worked as a gamekeeper for Sutherland Estates, living in Dunrobin Kennels. He is the son of John and Margaret Macdonald.

Buried Mailly Wood Cemetery, France, listed on Golspie War Memorial and also on the Strathardle War Memorial, Perthshire, where his parents were living. He is also recorded in Clan Donald Roll of Honour Book.

Photograph by Shirley Sutherland.

Maroeuil British Cemetery, France

2009-11-12T12:59:00.002Z

Maroeuil British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

This cemetery has 563 Commonwealth burials. Almost half are the graves of those of Highland Territorials.

See also:

Roderick Sutherland

Alexander Sutherland & brother Roderick

2009-11-12T12:45:00.003Z

Lance Cpl. Alexander Sutherland, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, Killed in Action 24th May 1915, age 26 in Belgium. Alexander was born in Golspie, son of Mr and Mrs G. Sutherland of Myron's Lane, Golspie. He was a regular solder. Alexander is commemorated on panel 38 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and on the Golspie War Memorial. He is also recorded on The Seaforth Highlanders Ross of Honour in The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

Also his brother Pte. Roderick John Sutherland, 1/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, Killed in Action 24th March 1916 France. Roderick is buried in the Maroeuil British Cemetery, France. He is commemorated on Golspie War Memorial with his brother Alexander, and also in the Seaforth Highlanders Roll of Honour, The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle. Roderick was a former member of the Golspie Boys Brigade.

Photograph of Menin Gate panel by Shirley Sutherland

Beaumont Hamel, The Somme, France

2009-11-12T10:27:00.007Z

Beaumont Hamel British Cemetery on the Somme has brick entrance pillars by the gateway, but otherwise a low hedge surrounds the cemetery (although behind this on the field side at the back and the right of the Cemetery is a very low concrete wall, presumably for structural reasons). The Cemetery, standing in the old No Mans Land, was started after the village was taken on the 13th of November 1916, and was used until February 1917. As with many other cemeteries, more graves were moved here after the Armistice.

It now contains 97 identified and 82 unidentified burials from the Great War, in two long rows of graves. Many of the burials are 1st of July casualties. There are two special memorials to men known to be buried here, which are located directly behind the Cross of Sacrifice at the back of the cemetery.

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Memorial

A grass track from this cemetery takes you to Hawthorn Cemetery where the Memorial to the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stands. The front panel has an inscription in Gaelic - a small panel lists the 1915 51st (Highland) Division battle honours - on the rear of the memorial a large panel is that of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - a small panel on the front left, lists the 1917 51st (Highland) Division battle honours.

The Newfoundland Memorial

At Beaumont-Hamel there is also the Newfoundland Memorial, a memorial site dedicated to the commemoration of Dominion of Newfoundland forces members who were killed during World War I. The site is situated 9 kilometres north of Albert, France near the town of Beaumont-Hamel in an area containing numerous cemeteries and memorials related to the Battle of the Somme. The preserved battlefield park encompasses the grounds over which the Newfoundland Regiment made their unsuccessful attack on 1 July, 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme was the regiment's first major engagement and during an assault that lasted approximately 30 minutes was all but wiped out. Purchased by the people of Newfoundland, the site is the largest battalion memorial on the Western Front and the largest area of the Somme battlefield that has been preserved. Along with preserved trench lines, there are a number of memorials and cemeteries contained within the site.

Please also note that at least one of 'our' soldiers who died at Beaumont Hamel is buried in Maily Wood Cemetery, France.

Three of above photographs taken by Morag Sutherland and Shirley Sutherland.

Pte. William M. Melville

2009-11-11T21:21:00.003Z

Guardsman William M. Melville, Grenadier Guards, died of wounds in France 13th March 1915 aged 29 years.

William was born at Portgower, Loth, son of Hugh Melville and his wife Elizabeth Morrison. He is the grandson of James Morrison and Janet Whyte of Foindlemore, Eddrachillis. He lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France and also commemorated on Loth War Memorial.

Merville Cemetery, France

2009-11-11T21:04:00.003Z

Merville was the scene of fighting between the Germans and French and British cavalry early in October 1914 but from the 9th of that month to 11 April 1918, it remained in Allied hands. In October 1914, and in the autumn of 1915, the town was the headquarters of the Indian Corps. It was a railhead until May 1915, and a billeting and hospital centre from 1915-1918. The 6th and Lahore Casualty Clearing Stations were there from the autumn of 1914 to the autumn of 1915; the 7th from December 1914, to April 1917; the 54th (1st/2nd London) from August 1915 to March 1918, and the 51st (Highland) from May 1917 to April 1918. On the evening of 11 April 1918, in the Battles of the Lys, the Germans forced their way into Merville and the town was not retaken until 19 August. The cemeteries were not used again until the concentration of battlefield burials into the Extension began, after the Armistice. Merville Communal Cemetery was used by French troops (chiefly cavalry) in October 1914, and for Commonwealth burials from that date until August 1916 (in the case of officers, to March 1918). It now contains 1,268 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and 21 French and German war graves. Merville Communal Cemetery Extension was opened in August 1916, and used by Commonwealth and Portuguese hospitals until April 1918. It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields immediately north and east of Merville and from Caudescure Halte Cemetery, Morbecque.
Photographed by Morag Sutherland.

See also:

Pte. W. M. Melville

Pte. James Murray

2009-11-11T19:56:00.002Z

Pte. James Murray, Seaforth Highlanders, Killed in Action 21st March 1918 aged 39 years. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. Also commemorated on Golspie War Memorial and on his parents' gravestone in Golspie (photograph below).
James was born 31st January 1878 in Golspie, son of David Murray, tailor, and his wife Janet Mackay (Jessie) who lived at West End, Golspie.

Arras Memorial photograph by Shirley Sutherland

Golspie gravestone photograph by Christine Stokes

Major L St. V. Rose and his brother Captain Ronald Rose

2009-11-11T19:18:00.002Z

Major Launcelot St. Vincent Rose, 55th Field Coy., Royal Engineers, died 27th November 1914 aged 39 years, a regular soldier. Buried Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France. Listed on the The St Mary's Congregation War Memorial, The Churchyard, Elvetham, Hants.

Captain Ronald Walrond Hugh Rose, 1st Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), died 22nd October 1914 aged 34 years, regular soldier, commemorated on Ploegseert Memorial, Belgium and on the Cameronians Memorial, Dunkeld Cathedral.

Sons of Frederick William Rose and his wife Katherine Witherby who commemorated their sons on the Rose Family Memorial window and tablet in Creich Parish Church.

Photographs by Hector Macrae, Bonar Bridge.

Lt. Col. Donald A. Mackenzie

2009-11-11T15:44:00.004Z

Lieutenant-Colonel Donald A. MacKenzie, DSO, DSC
In memory of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, nineteen of whom fell in and around the municipality of Voorst, including the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Donald A. MacKenzie, DSO, DSC, born 9 July 1914 in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada, killed in action on 12th April 1945 at Wilp in the municipality of Voorst"

The permanent resting place for Lieutenant-Colonel Donald A. MacKenzie and his comrades is the Canadian Military Cemetery in Holten, Holland.

Grandson of Donald Mackenzie, born 1821 Clashnessie, Assynt, and his wife Catherine Macleod, who emigrated to Bruce County, Ontario, Canada, and brought up a family there. See also National War Memorial of Canada.

Information from Marian MacLeod.

Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Holland

2009-11-11T15:41:00.002Z

The Netherlands fell to the Germans in May 1940 and was not re-entered by Allied forces until September 1944. The great majority of those buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery died during the last stages of the war in Holland, during the advance of the Canadian 2nd Corps into northern Germany, and across the Ems in April and the first days of May 1945. After the end of hostilities their remains were brought together into this cemetery. Holten Canadian War Cemetery contains 1,393 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

See also:

Lt. Col. Donald A Mackenzie

Vimy Ridge Canadian Cemetery, France

2009-11-11T15:21:00.002Z

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed, or presumed dead, in France that have no known grave. The monument is the centrepiece of a 250-acre (100 ha) preserved battlefield park that encompasses a portion of the grounds over which the Canadian Corps made their assault during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a military engagement fought as part of the Battle of Arras.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first occasion whereupon all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in a battle as a cohesive formation, and thus became a Canadian nationalistic symbol of achievement and sacrifice. In recognition of Canada's war efforts, France granted Canada perpetual use of a portion of land on Vimy Ridge under the understanding that the Canadian use the land to establish a battlefield park and memorial. Wartime tunnels, trenches, craters and unexploded munitions still honeycomb the grounds of the site, which remains largely closed off for public safety. Along with preserved trench lines, there are a number of other memorials and cemeteries contained within the site.

Photograph taken by Morag who wrote: "This is taken from an rather unusual, angle.........you can see the spirit of Canada looking down on - I always think she is crying for the young of the nation.she is looking over the Douai plain - the Canadians of course took this ridge in April 1917 and because they claim nationhood was forged in the blood shed here they chose this site for the national memorial".

Pte. William McNicol

2009-11-11T15:12:00.002Z

Pte. William Macnicol, 6th (Morayshire) Bn., Seaforth Highlanders, died 7th April 1918 at Dall, Durness, aged 40 years. Born in Glenorchy, Argyll, son of William Macnicol, shepherd and Catherine Macvicar. Husband of Isabella Macleod (Bella) who lived at Raasay, Kyle. William is buried at Balnakeil, Durness.

Photograph by Angi Lamb.

David, Donald & Hugh Oliver

2009-11-11T14:58:00.003Z

Pte. Hugh Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders, died 11th May 1917, age 23, buried St Mary's Churchyard, Harlow, Essex - gravestone above, commemorated on Golspie War Memorial with his brothers David and Hugh. Sons of David Oliver, shepherd, and his wife Kate Macgregor of Academy Street, Brora, Clyne. Hugh was born in Dunbeath, Caithness.

Brother Pte. Donald Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders, died 2nd September 1917, commemorated on Golspie War Memorial, lived in Golspie, born in Lairg.

Brother Cpl. David Oliver, Seaforth Highlanders, died 4th March 1918 hospital, Paisley, age 22 years following being discharged in December 1917 as medically unfit due to gun shot wounds, born Golspie, lived Kirkton Farm, Golspie.

Note: would the gentleman who left a comment here earlier today please email me - email link on left. Thanks.

John A. Sutherland, Royal Naval Reservists

2009-11-10T19:54:00.001Z

John A. Sutherland 8951, Royal Naval Reservists died 17th June 1917, on board steam ship 'Raloo' killed in action with submarine off South of Ireland, age 29, son of Adam (Dulla) and Catherine Sutherland, fisherman, born Golspie, enlisted, Golspie Commemorated on Golspie War Memorial and Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Pte. Donald Morrison

2009-11-10T18:46:00.007Z

Donald Morrison was born 10th November 1887 at Badcall, Eddrachillis, Sutherland, son of Donald Morrison and his wife Johan Fraser. Donald was the second youngest of 13 children. Donald's parents had both died by 1904. Donald and his older brother Hugh joined the Navy while younger brother Adam emigrated to Canada, joined the army in 1915 and was taken to Texas, USA to serve as a mechanic in the fledgling airforce. Donald ended up in New Zealand, where in 1914 he left HMS Cable ship Iris in Auckland. He then joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 1st Bn, Auckland Regiment and returned to Europe in 1915. He died on 16th September 1916. He is commemorated on Scourie War Memorial, in Bull Road Cemetery, Somme, France, and in New Zealand. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows Donald as the brother of Adam Morrison, Toronto, Canada.

Information from Marion Quillan

Bull Road Cemetery, France

2009-11-10T18:31:00.002Z

Bull Road cemetery, located on the Somme is in the village of Flers. Flers was captured in 1916 in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, when it was entered by the New Zealand and 41st Divisions behind tanks, the innovative new weapons that were used here for the first time. The village was lost during the German advance of March 1918 and retaken at the end of the following August. The cemetery was begun on 19 September 1916 and was used by fighting units (mainly Australian) until March 1917.

See also:

Donald Morrison

Vis-en-Artois Memorial and Cemetery, France

2009-11-10T13:41:00.002Z

Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt are villages in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, on the road from Arras to Cambrai. The Cemetery is at the north side of the main road between the two villages.Vis-En-Artois and Haucourt were taken by the Canadian Corps on the 27th August 1918, and the cemetery was begun immediately afterwards. It was used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until the middle of October.

It consisted originally of 430 graves (in Plots I and II), of which 297 were Canadian and 55 belonged to the 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regiment. It was increased after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields of April-June 1917, and August and September 1918, and from the smaller cemeteries in the neighbourhood.

There are now nearly 2,500, war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly two-thirds are unidentified and special memorials are erected to seven soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Canada, known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of four soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

See also:

Donald Gunn

Pte. Donald Gunn

2009-11-10T13:29:00.002Z

Private Donald Gunn, 14th Bn. Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch)

Donald was born at Ochto Falls, Kincardine, son of George Gunn, public school teacher, and his wife Janet Mackay. George Gunn was born in Lairg and Janet (Jessie) was born at Kinnauld, Rogart. Donald's paternal grandparents were Donald Gunn, crofter, and his wife Christina Mackay. His maternal grandparents were Alexander Mackay, crofter and master mason, and his wife Catherine Bruce.

Donald was killed in action in France on 2nd Septemmber 1918 aged 33 years. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Houcourt, France and also on Rogart War Memorial. He is also commemorated on his parents' gravestone in Lairg Cemetery.

Alexander K. Sutherland

2009-11-09T21:23:00.002Z

Lance Sergeant Alexander K. Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders.

son of the late Andrew Sutherland (King), fisherman and his wife Elizabeth (Betsy) Sutherland of Church Street, Golspie.

died 13th November 1916 France. Buried Mailly Wood, France.

Alexander was born in Golspie on 17th January 1892.

He is commemorated on Golspie War Memorial.

Photograph by Shirley Sutherland

Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France

2009-11-09T20:23:00.001Z

In November 1916, the village of Ficheux was behind the German front line, but by April 1917, the German withdrawal had taken the line considerably east of the village and in April and May, the VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont until March 1918, and continued to use the Bucquoy Road Cemetery begun by the field ambulances. From early April to early August 1918 the cemetery was not used but in September and October, the 22nd, 30th and 33rd Casualty Clearing Stations came to Boisleux-au-Mont and extended it. By the date of the Armistice, it contained 1,166 burials but was greatly increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from small cemeteries in the neighbourhood.
Buried here are 1,453 British, 447 Canadians and 1 soldier from India.
This cemetery is only 9 kilometres from Arras.

See also:

Alexander Matheson

Thomas Matheson and brother Alexander

2009-11-09T20:05:00.003Z

Private Thomas Matheson, 5th Bn. Cameron Highlanders, died 3rd April 1917, aged 20 years.

Commemorated on Arras Memorial, France

His brother Sapper Alexander Matheson, Royal Engineers, died of wounds in France

3rd August 1917 aged 22 years.

Alexander is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux which is only 9 kilometres from Arras.

The boys are commemorated on Clyne War Memorial and also on their parents' gravestone in Clyne Cemetery, Brora.

They are sons of Thomas Matheson, a master plasterer, and his wife Elspeth Sutherland of Dalchalm, Brora, Clyne. Grandsons of William Matheson and Isabella Cuthbert of Gartymore, Loth.

Alexander's grave photograph taken by Morag Sutherland.

Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, France

2009-11-09T19:27:00.001Z

Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt. Pas de Calais, France lies in the valley of the Cojeul River nearly 2 kilometres south of the main road from Arras to Cambrai.

Wancourt was captured on 12 April 1917 after very heavy fighting, lost in March 1918, and retaken by the Canadian Corps on the following 26 August. The cemetery was begun by the VI Corps Burial Officer in May 1917, used at intervals until March 1918, and again in August and September 1918. At the Armistice, it contained 249 graves, all in the present Plot I. It was then enlarged when 834 graves (mainly of April and May 1917) were brought in from the battlefields of Fampoux, Roeux, Monchy and Wancourt, and from a few smaller burial grounds.

Buried here are 1.076 British soldiers, 26 Canadian and 1 from South Africa.

Above photograph taken by Shirley Sutherland or Morag Sutherland. Thank you.

See also:

John Alexander Munro

Scotland's National War Memorial

2009-11-09T10:21:00.001Z

The National War Memorial is in Edinburgh Castle

This building was opened on 14th July 1927 as a memorial to the Scottish dead of the 1st World War 1914-18 by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). In the Middle Ages St. Mary's Church stood on this site. In 1540 it was converted into a munition house then demolished in 1755 to make room for the North Barracks. The building was improved in 1863 by Robert Billings to give it a more picturesque appearance. The army vacated the building in 1923 and Sir Robert Lorimer adapted it as the National Shrine. The building also commemorates the men who fell in the Second World War 1939-45.

This memorial commemorates 100,000 men. Each regiment has its own register and if you visit allow lots of time. We found so much of interest could have stayed for a week.

Photographs by Christine Stokes

Valenciennes Communal Cemetery, France

2009-11-09T08:53:00.002Z

Valenciennes remained in German hands from the early days of the First World War until 1-2 November 1918, when it was entered and cleared by the Canadian Corps; 5,000 civilians were found in the town. In November and December 1918, the 2nd, 57th, 4th Canadian and 32nd Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Valenciennes and the last of them did not leave until October 1919. The Communal Cemetery of St. Roch was used by the Germans in August and September 1914 and an extension was then made on the south-east side. The Commonwealth plots were made adjoining the German: I and II contain the graves of October 1918 to December 1919; III, IV, V and part of VI contain the graves of 348 soldiers buried originally in the German Extension and 226 whose bodies were brought from other cemeteries or from the battlefields. The German Extension has since been removed and the Commonwealth plots are within the enlarged Communal Cemetery.

There are 697 UK servicemen buried here, 151 Canadians, 28 Australians, 1 New Zealander, 3 from South Africa and 5 from India.

See also:

James Mackay

Lance Cpl. James Mackay

2009-11-09T08:35:00.005Z

Lance Corporal James Mackay 183rd Machine Gun Company commemorated on Dornoch War Memorial. He is also commemorated on his parents' gravestone in Golf Road cemetery, Dornoch, recorded in the Clan Mackay Society War Memorial Roll of Honour and listed on the United Free Church Memorial Plaque in Dornoch Cathedral. James was awarded the Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal.

"L.Corpl. James Mackay, M.G. Corps, 61st Div., son of Mr Kenneth Mackay, Church Officer, St. Gilbert St..,- a soldier upon whom the Military Medal had been conferred for conspicious bravery and resource in face of the enemy, and whom the Council and community were looking forward to welcome home, and to formally congratulate him on the honour bestowed upon him by the King. During active operations near LA VACQUERIE between December 1st and 5th. This N.C.O. performed invaluable work with the Transport coming up with rations every night and always getting these rations there under all difficulties. On one occasion his party were knocked out, 1 man and 2 mules being killed, but he contrived to get rations up by doing a double journey. This incident took place while passing through Villers Plouich." (from the citation on presentation of Military Medal).

Extract from the Burgh Record by the Dornoch Town Clerk Hector M. Mackay- presumably mid November 1918 reads: "Before proceeding to the business set forth on the Aggenda (sic), resolved that the Provost, Magistrates, and Councillers (sic), for themselves, and as representing the community, Do express on the record of their Minutes their sorrow at the death in the terrible War, just ended, of another of their young townsmen, stricken down in his young manhood, while bravely fighting for his King and Country, and their sincere sympathy with the members of the bereaved family, viz".

James was born on 4th August 1896 to Kenneth Mackay, ploughman and his wife Johan Sutherland at Ospisdale, Brora, Creich. He was brought up in Dornoch and on the outbreak of World War 1 joined the Army. He was with the 61st Battallion Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) when he died and had been with them for about a year, according to letters from his commanding officer to his parents.He was a Lance Corporal by the time he died. He earned the Military Medal at Cambrai, awarded December 1917. When he was killed by shrapnel he was taking ammunition up to the guns. Date of death is recorded as 1st November 1918. His Commanding Officer said they buried him at Atres and had a small cross put on his grave, a photo was sent home to hs parents. The official memorial is at Valenciennes Communal Cemetery.

Information from James's nephew, Kenneth Mackay, New Zealand.

Lance Cpl. William Grant

2009-11-09T08:08:00.001Z

Signaller, then Lance Corporal William Grant, Canadian European Forces. Son of Joseph and Williamina Grant, born February 18, 1889, Gower Street, Brora, Clyne. In 1906, he left Brora to join his older brother D J Grant in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. There they established a new homestead for their parents and siblings, who would join them in 1910.

William worked as a locomotive fireman for the Canadian National Railway, where he stoked coal furnaces in the early days of steam engines. By all accounts, William was the darling of the Grant family. He was fun loving and gentle, close to his sisters and brothers, and he loved to entertain family and friends alike around the piano. He was an accomplished fiddler, and his late nephew Grant McLaren of Edmonton, Alberta, inherited William's fiddle, in its original wooden case. It was left behind when William went overseas at the beginning of World War I with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles "Little Black Devils". William would never return to collect his beloved instrument, he was pronounced missing and presumed dead following the 2nd Battle of Ypres at the end of April 1915. He died unmarried, at the age of 26, and his name appears on the War Memorial in Brora and on the Menin Gate Memorial in West Flanders, Belgium.

Information and photograph from Karen Grant, Ontario.

Pte. William Murray, Gordon Highlanders

2009-11-08T22:48:00.001Z

William was born 13th November 1895 at Inverbrora, son of Walter Murray and his wife Jane Balgowan. He is the grandson of Hector Murray, blacksmith, and Isabella Munro and the great grandson of William Murray, miller, Rhemusaig, Rogart.
“William was a Private with the 6th Gordons and went down to a German bullet at Neuve Chapelle on 12th March. He succumbed to his injuries on the 27th March. Willie who was only 18 years of age was a bright boy of great promise. He began his career as messenger in the Post Office at Dornoch and then passed his Civil Service Examination and at the time of mobilisation he was serving as an established postman at Ballindalloch. He was said to be a great favourite in the company and a great favourite in Dornoch where he would be sadly missed. He had four other brothers serving in the forces” (NT8/4/1915) – commemorated on Dornoch War Memorial, on a plaque inside the cathedral and on his parents’ gravestone in Dornoch.

Alister and William Elliot

2009-11-08T19:41:00.005Z

Alister & William are sons of John and Marion Elliot of Glendhu, Assynt, who lived for many years at Glencoul, Assynt.

Alister Elliot

Lance Corporal Alister Elliot, born 11th November 1892 in Glencoul, served in 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, killed in action 12th April 1918 Neuve Eglise, Belgium, age 24. Alister lived in Glasgow where he was an employee of the Bank of Scotland, having firstly worked in Bonar Bridge and then Invergarry. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Corporal William Elliot, 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders attached 2nd Entrenching Battalion, born 7th November 1891 Glencoul, died 29th March 1917 of Influenza. Formerly 5261 Lovat Scouts. The 2nd Entrenching Battalion was a holding unit for men returning to the trenches after being in hospital. William is buried on Longueness Souvenir Cemetery, St. Omer, France.

Willie's grave

Both boys are commemorated on the Scourie War Memorial and on a memorial on the Achfary Estate, Glencoul - photograph below.

this photograph by Peter Aikman

Willie and Alister had three other brothers, Matthew, John and James who all served in World War One.

Thank you to John Mackay for the photographs of Alister and William and the grave photograph.

Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium

2009-11-08T19:11:00.003Z

The Inscription on top of this memorial reads:

To the glory of god and to the memory of 11447 Officers and men of the forces of the British Empire, who fell fighting in the years 1914-1918 between the River Douve and the towns of Estaires and Furnes, whose names are here recorded but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.

The Ploegsteert Memorial commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave. The memorial serves the area from the line Caestre-Dranoutre-Warneton to the north, to Haverskerque-Estaires-Fournes to the south, including the towns of Hazebrouck, Merville, Bailleul and Armentieres, the Forest of Nieppe, and Ploegsteert Wood. The original intention had been to erect the memorial in Lille. Those commemorated by the memorial did not die in major offensives, such as those which took place around Ypres to the north, or Loos to the south. Most were killed in the course of the day-to-day trench warfare which characterised this part of the line, or in small scale set engagements, usually carried out in support of the major attacks taking place elsewhere. Berks Cemetery Extension, in which the memorial stands, was begun in June 1916 and used continuously until September 1917.

Photographed by Morag Sutherland

See also:

Alister Elliot

Ronald Rose

Lachlan Murray and his brother Donald E. Murray

2009-11-08T18:53:00.006Z

Lachlan M. S. Murray, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, killed at Battle of Casino, Italy, 6th September 1944 aged 39 years, buried in Italy. Commemorated on Rogart War Memorial.

Above photograph Lachlan's War Grave in Italy.

His brother Donald E. Murray, F.M. R.A.S.C. died in hospital in Edinburgh 27th April 1946 aged 24 years. Also commemorated on Rogart War Memorial. Buried with parents in Sciberscross Burial Ground, Clyne.

Lachie and Donnie are sons of George Murray and Mary Stewart, Morness, Rogart. Second photograph shows Donnie.

"Rogart mourns deeply the death in action of one of the finest of its young men, Pte. Lachie Murray, Cameron Highlanders, and formerly of the Lovat Scouts. Lachie, as he was always affectionately known, volunteered for military service very shortly after the outbreak of war and joined the Lovat Scouts, the regiment in which his father had already served in two wars. Last December he was transerred to the Camerons and in a very short time he was sent overseas. He met hi death in the early days of this month. Lachie was a thorough gentleman, greatly loved by all his companions - a faithful servant to his employers. He was possessed of a big broad sympathetic mind and of a fine outlook on life. Lachie was not of a fighting nature, but he freely and willingly gave his service to his country and the cause of freedom; and like so many another who had much to give, he gave it willingly. The sympathy of his many friends in Rogart and elsewhere goes out in a warm fullness to his parents, sisters and brothers (two of whom have been on war service from El Alamein till now) in their great sorrow and loss". (Northern Times September 1944).

“His many friends in Rogart and neighbouring parishes heard with deep regret of the passing of Donnie, youngest son of Mr and Mrs George Murray, Morness, Rogart. Though he had contracted a severe illness on war service, high hopes of his recovery were held almost to the last. Donnie volunteered for military service very early in the war, and after serving a course of training in this country went overseas with the 51st Division. As a driver he served through the campaigns in Africa, Sicily and Italy, returning to this country with the Division to train for the attack on Europe. He volunteered to go overseas again and bravely carried on till health reasons forced him to give up. All through his long illness he showed great courage and patience bearing his difficulties in a wonderful way. Donnie was a most friendly boy in every way and had many friends, for his lovable cheery manner endeared him to everybody. Erect and manly in his carriage, so he was in all his life and his passing at so early an age is all the more regretted. To his parents, brothers and sisters in this, their second sore bereavement due to the recent war, the deepest sympathy of many friends everywhere goes out.” (NT 4/1946)

Thanks to Jean Sutherland, Elgin, for photographs and information.

Etaples Military Cemetery, France

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Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas de Calais, France
Etaples (near Le Touquet) is the largest Commonwealth war Cemetery in France. There was a large military hospital there where the wounded were removed to, and of course many died, hence it is so large. 8,819 UK troops are buried here. 1,145 Canadians, 464 Australians, 260 New Zealanders, 68 South Africans and 17 Indian. There are also 658 Germans buried here.

Étaples was the scene of much Allied activity during World War One due to its safety from attack by enemy land forces and the existence of railway connections with both the northern and southern battlefields.The town was home to 16 hospitals and a convalescent depot, in addition to a number of reinforcement camps for Commonwealth soldiers and general barracks for the French Army. Of more than 11,500 soldiers interred in Étaples Military Cemetery, over 10,000 of these men were casualties of World War One who died in Étaples or the surrounding area.

The abundance of military infrastructure in Étaples gave the town a capacity of around 100,000 troops in World War One and made the area a serious target for German aerial bombing raids, from which the town suffered heavily. The combination of withstanding these attacks and giving over their homes to the war effort led to Étaples being awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1920.

The Second World War once again saw Allied hospitals stationed in Étaples, and with them the reopening of the cemetery to cope with the casualties of another war. 119 men were buried in Étaples Military Cemetery in World War Two, this low number attributable to the fact that the hospitals were only in place from January 1940 until the British withdrawal from the Continent in May of the same year.

Our photographs taken by Edward Paxton.

Pte. William Gordon, 6th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders

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Pte. William Gordon, Seaforth Highlanders, died 13th November 1916, buried Mailly Wood Cemetery, France. Commemorated on Golspie War Memorial.

William was born around 1894 at Cambusmore, The Mound, Golspie, son of William Gordon, head gardener at Cambusmore and his wife Elizabeth Stage and grandson of Donald Gordon, shepherd, and his wife Isabella Pendrith and of John Stage, master tinsmith in Golspie and his wife Annie Gow.

A news report of young William's death in France confirmed he was the youngest son of this family.

Photograph by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie.

Lance Cpl. Peter Gordon

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Lance Corporal Peter Gordon, 5th Seaforth Highlanders, age 22, died 9 April 1917, and is buried in the Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt, Pas de Calais, France – also commemorated on the Dornoch War Memorial, on his parents’ gravestone in Dornoch and on a wall plaque in Dornoch Cathedral.

Peter was born 27th March 1895 at Torboll, Dornoch, son of William Gordon, crofter, and his wife Catherine Macpherson. Peter is the grandson of Peter Gordon and his wife Catherine Baillie and of John Macpherson, shepherd, and his wife Catherine Sutherland.
A relative still lives in the area today.

Before Peter left for war he had a postcard photograph taken and sent to his parents at Torboll, the photograph of Peter above is taken from that postcard. Here is the reverse of the original postcard:

Photograph of gravestone by Morag Sutherland.
Photograph of Peter and postcard reverse from John Gordon & Patricia Moreau.

Le Touret Cemetery and Memorial, France

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The Cemetery was begun by the Indian Corps (and in particular by the 2nd Leicesters) in November, 1914, and it was used continuously by Field Ambulances and fighting units until March, 1918. It passed into German hands in April, 1918, and after its recapture a few further burials were made in Plot IV in September and October. Located at the east end of the cemetery is Le Touret Memorial, which commemorates over 13,000 servicemen who fell in this area before 25 September 1915 and who have no known grave.

All photographs in this section taken by Morag Sutherland, Brora, Clyne

Like this picture of Morag having a rest!!

Baillie, Nova Scotia, WW2

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Descendants of Alexander and Elizabeth Baillie of Scottary, Clyne, and Donald and Christy Mackay of Rogart, played their part in
World War Two.
John Daniel Baillie (left of photograph) and his brother William Angus Baillie (right), sons of Daniel William and Annie Isabella Baillie, both served at the Battle of Normandy with the North Nova Highlanders, Canada. John Daniel died in the invasion of Nomandy. He left a wife and four children.
Photograph and information from Carol Driscoll, Canada.

Point de Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, France

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Athies was captured by the 9th (Scottish) Division, which included the South African Brigade, on 9 April 1917. It remained in Allied hands until the end of the war. Point-Du-Jour was a house on the road from St. Laurent-Blangy to Gavrelle and by 1917 it had become a German redoubt, captured by the 34th Division on 9 April. Two cemeteries were made on the right of the road from St. Laurent-Blangy to Point-du-Jour, No.1 Cemetery becoming the present Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery.

See also:

Pte J. M. Mackay

Pte. John Munro Mackay

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Pte. John Munro Mackay

John was born 19th May 1887 at Aird, Skerray, Tongue,

son of Hugh and Ann Mackay.

John was killed on 9th April 1917 in the Battle of Arras, France.

He was with the South African Scottish regiment.

He is buried at Point de Jour Military Cemetery, Athies.

He is also commemorated on the Skerray War Memorial and on his parents' gravestone in Skerray.

John's brother James Mackay fought in the war with the Australian Imperial Force.

He was injured but did survive until 1925 when he died at Dumbleyung, Western Australia.

His grave there has no headstone. Following an appeal by a relative, Fiona Mackay, and with much help from the Western Australian Genealogy Society and others Fiona has just heard that an

Official Office of Australia War Graves Bronze Plaque is to be erected.

Sgt. Sackville Ross

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Sgt. Sackville Ross, Seaforth Highlanders

Sackville was born 21st February 1873 at Drummuie, Golspie, son of Thomas Ross, gardener, and his wife Ann, nee Murray. He was named after his maternal grandfather Sackville Murray who worked at Dunrobin for many years.

Sackville died on 21st March 1918 in France. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, bay 8 and also on the Golspie War Memorial.

Lance Cpl. Walter Robson

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Lance Cpl Walter Robson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, son of William Robson and his wife Diane, nee Mackay, of Torroble, Lairg and Culmaily, Golspie. Walter's father was a shepherd. The family lived at Polly, Clyne and later at Mudale, Farr, then Golspie before moving to Lairg.

Walter died on 27th March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 9, France. He is also commemorated on the Lairg and Rogart War Memorials and on his parents' gravestone in St. Callan's Churchyard, Rogart.

Photograph taken by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

Christchurch Bridge of Remembrance, New Zealand

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This dramatic memorial bridge was unvieled on 11th November 1924.

Names of the fallen are shown on all sides.

photographs by George Sutherland, Brora, Sutherland

If anyone knows if there are any descendants of Sutherland named on this memorial please let us know.

Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt, France

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The Highland Cemetery at Roclincourt, France, is in a village a little to the east of the road from Arras to Lens. The French troops who held this front before March 1916 made a military cemetery (now removed), on the south-west side of which the present Commonwealth cemetery was made. It was begun by the 51st (Highland) and 34th Divisions in April 1917, and contains many graves of 9 April, the first day of the Battles of Arras. It continued in use, as a front-line cemetery, until October 1918 and after the Armistice graves, mostly from the battlefield north of Roclincourt, were brought into Plot IV, Row F.

Photographs in this section taken by Morag Sutherland, Brora, Sutherland.

Pte. Andrew G. Baddon and brother Donald

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Andrew G. Baddon, born Evanton, Ross-shire, son of Mr and Mrs John Baddon, Golspie.

Andrew was a lorry driver with the Third Army Troops Supply, Col. Army Service Corps.

He was killed in a rail accident in France while on his way home on 24th November 1916.
Photographs of Andrew above supplied by family.

Andrew is commemorated on the Golspie War Memorial with his brother Donald who is also commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France

Loos British Cemetery, France

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The Loos Memorial forms the side and back of Dud Corner Cemetery and commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice.

The only burials here during hostilities were those of four Officers of the 9th Black Watch and one Private of the 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, close to Plot III, Row B; the remainder of the graves were brought in later from small cemeteries and isolated positions near Loos and to the North. The regimental memorials brought to the Cemetery included those of the 10th Scottish Rifles and the 17th London Regiment, dating from the Battle of Loos, and those of the Royal Montreal Regiment and the Royal Highlanders of Canada, dating from the Battle of Hill 70 in August, 1917. Special memorials are erected in this Cemetery to twelve soldiers of the 2nd Welch Regiment, killed in action on the 12th October, 1915, and buried in Crucifix Cemetery, Loos, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

The more important of the small cemeteries concentrated into Dud Corner Cemetery were the following: Tosh Cemetery, Loos, on the North side of the village, close to the communication trench called Tosh Alley. It contained the graves of 171 soldiers from the United Kingdom (118 of whom were Irish) and five from Canada. It was used from October, 1915, to September, 1917. Crucifix Cemetery, Loos a little West of Tosh Cemetery. It was used from September, 1915, to May, 1916, and it contained the graves of 53 soldiers from the United Kingdom. Le Rutoire British Cemetery, Vermelles, close to Le Rutoire Farm, which is on Loos Plain, near the village of Vermelles. It was used in 1915, and contained the graves of 82 soldiers from the United Kingdom and six French soldiers.

See also

Sgt. Donald Baddon
Cpl. Charles Gray Bannerman

Charles and John Bannerman

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Cpl. Charles Gray Bannerman 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders was born 9th June 1891 at Backies, Golspie, son of Hugh and Margaret (nee Murray) Bannerman.

Charles, a regular soldier, served in India and shortly after the outbreak of the war he was transferred with his regiment to France. Charles who died on 26th September, 1915, at the Battle of Loos, has no known grave but is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial. He is also named on the Golspie War Memorial. Medals Victory British and 1914 star.

His brother Sergeant John Bannerman, 6th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders was born in 1894 at Backies. On Monday 9th April 1917 aged 25 years, he was killed during the Battle of Arras and is buried in the Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt, Pas de Calais, France. He is also commemorated on Golspie War Memorial.

Information supplied by family members and with the kind permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Royal Canadian Air Force, WW2

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This plaque was erected on 7th June 1990 by Bomber Command

at the York, England, Royal Air Force Museum.

"No 6. (RCAF)

Group Bomber Comman.

This memorial is dedicated to the men and women who served in No. 6 (RCAF) Group of Bomber Command and to those Canadians who served in other squadrons in Bomber Command.

Of the 17,000 RCAF men and women who died in the 1939-45 conflict 9,980 were lost while serving with Bomber Command

We Shall Remember Them

Nous Ne les Oblirons Pas

Below the Canadian Chapel

Photographs by Christine Stokes

Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicilly

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On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was vigorous and stubborn. The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17 August when the two allied forces came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines. Commonwealth forces made their landings in the south-east corner of the island between Pachina and Syracuse, and the majority of those buried in Syracuse War Cemetery died during those landings or in the early stages of the campaign. Many graves belong to men of the airborne force that attempted landings west of the town on the night of 9-10 July, when gale force winds forced 60 of the 140 gliders used into the sea and blew others wide of their objectives. Syracuse War Cemetery contains 1,059 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 134 of them unidentified. There is also one First World war burial, that of a merchant seaman whose grave was brought to the cemetery from Marsala British Cemetery.

See also:

William Neil Morrison

Sgt. William Neil Morrison, M.M.

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William Neil Morrison, born 1st May 1913 at Late Inn, Kinlochbervie, son of Marcus and Jane Morrison, Late Inn. Sergeant 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders. Service Number 2820793. Awarded Military Medal. Died in Sicily 13 July 1943. Commemorated in Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily and on Kinlochbervie War Memorial.
Photograph from Fiona Mackay.

Donald Mackay, Royal Naval Reserve

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Donald MacKay, born 12 May 1878 Blaremore, Eddrachillis, son of Hector MacKay and Barbara Gunn or MacKay, Kinlochbervie, and husband of Jemima MacKay, Achriesgill. Seaman Royal Naval Reserve. Service Number 1738C. HMS ‘Viknor’ Died 13 January 1915. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial and Kinlochbervie War Memorial.

Interestingly his younger brother Jesson Gunn Mackay, known as Jesse, served with army during World War One and continued to be involved throughout his life. He died in 1959 and his obituary reads: “Mr. Jesson Mackay, 7 Strathnaver has died in Cambusavie Hospital at the age of 76. Mr Mackay was officer in charge of Bettyhill Observer Post during the Second World War. He served with the Lovat Scouts during the First World War and continued service with the Territorial Battalion attaining the rank of RSM. On his retirement from the services twenty five years ago he became an MBE Military Division. He continued his services with the Observer Corps until very recently. An enthusiastic member of the local British Legion he was for many years vice chairman. Mr Mackay was unmarried”. (NT 1/1959)

Royal Navy Memorial, Southsea, Portsmouth

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The Royal Naval Memorial, Southsea, Portsmouth

photographs by Marie Hembrow

Donald and Hector Ross

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Donald Lachlan Ross. Born about 1898, son of Lachlan and Barbara Ross, Achriesgill, Eddrachillis. Private ‘B’ Coy, 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders. Service Number 696. Died 13th November 1916. Commemorated on Grave I.M.20, Mailly Wood Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet (photo above) and also on Kinlochbervie War Memorial.

His brother Hector Ross. Born about 1890, Residence: New Zealand.
Private, Otago Regiment New Zealand European Forces, Service Number 8/95. Died 9 August 1915. Commemorated on Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial and on Kinlochbervie War Memorial. See also our New Zealand page.

Information from Hector Macrae, Bonar, Sutherland. Photograph of gravestone taken by Morag Sutherland.

Private Peter Campbell, Golspie

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Private Peter Campbell, Seaforth Highlanders, 7th Bn.age 36,
died 12th October 1917
lived Kelso, Roxburghshire.
Son of Peter and Elizabeth Campbell, Golspie, husband of Jane Campbell.
Named on Golspie and Kelso War Memorials.
Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, panel 133.

Kelso War Memorial

Placed here by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie. Family photographs kindly provided by Elizabeth.

Gallipoli, Turkey

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Lone Pine Cemetery, Anzac Creek

Using her own photograph this beautiful tribute card was created by Joan Currie, Sydney, Australia.

This card and others are available in the GALLERY if you would like a copy.

About 480,000 Allied troops took part in the Gallipoli campaign. The British had 205,000 casualties (43,000 killed). There were more than 33,600 ANZAC losses (over one-third killed) and 47,000 French casualties (5,000 killed). Turkish casualties are estimated at 250,000 (65,000 killed).

Lone Pine cemetery derives its name from the single pine tree observed to be growing here when the Australian soldiers came up here from the landing on 25 April 1915. From that date through to August there was much heavy fighting at Lone Pine, the rear of the cemetery today marking where the Anzac lines were during those months and the wall and pylon of the Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing marking the region of the Turkish trenches.

There are many more War Cemeteries at Gallipoli.

Joan's photograph

Chunuk Bair Cemetery

Chunuk Bair was made after the Armistice on the site where the Turks had buried some of those Commonwealth soldiers who were killed on 6-8 August. There are now 632 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried in this cemetery. Only ten of the burials are identified. The cemetery also contains the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, one of four memorials erected to commemorate New Zealand soldiers who died on the Gallipoli peninsula and whose graves are not known. This memorial relates to the Battle of Sari Bair and in other operations in this sector. It bears more than 850 names.
More information HERE.

See also:

Hector Ross

Cpl. Adam Grant

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Cpl. Adam Grant, 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry,
Killed in action 28th April 1917, aged 40 years. Commemorated Memorial Bay 8, Arras Memorial, France.

Adam Sutherland Grant, was born 19th April 1877 Badnellan, Clyne, son of John Grant, master tailor and his wife Jane Sutherland (Bain). His father was born in Dornoch and his mother was born in Clyne. In 1881 this family were living in Dornoch. In 1891 and in 1901 they were living in Kirkcudbright. Adam was not at home with his parents in 1901.

Adam is also listed on the Kirkcudbright War Memorial, along with his brother John

Recorded in the H.L.I. Roll of Honour, The Scottish National War Memorial

Recorded in the H.L.I. Roll of Honour, The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Glasgow

Commemorated on the Kirkcudbright Parish Church Communion Table Memorial

Photograph by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

Lt. W. Forsyth, Golspie

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Lt. William L. Forsyth, Seaforth Highlanders

tenant of Culmaily Farm, Golspie,

son of John F. Forsyth and his wife Agnes Laing, both deceased.

William is commemorated on bay 8, Arras Memorial, France

and also on Golspie War Memorial.

His parents are buried in Golspie Cemetery.

Sgt. Major James R. Fraser

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Sgt Major 240026 James R. Fraser, Seaforth Highlanders

son of John Fraser and his wife Agnes Russell of Fountain Buildings, Golspie

died 21st March 1918 age 30 years.

Memorial Bay 8, Arras Memorial, France

He is commemorated on Golspie War Memorial also.

John's father was a merchant in Golspie. He is buried with his wife in Golspie cemetery. James is commemorated on their gravestone also.

Photographed by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

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Commemorates: almost 35,568 servicemen from the UK, 77 from South Africa, 46 Canadians and 3 from New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory.

The Arras Memorial is in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, which is in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle in the western part of the town of Arras. The cemetery is near the Citadel, approximately 2 kilometres due west of the railway station.

The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917. The Cemetery was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918.

The graves in the French military cemetery were removed after the war to other burial grounds and the land they had occupied was used for the construction of the Arras Memorial and Arras Flying Services Memorial. The most conspicuous events represented by the memorial were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bertonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

Additionally, the Arras Flying Services Memorial commemorates more than 1,000 airmen of the Royal Naval Air Service, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Air Force, either by attachment from other arms of the forces of the Commonwealth or by original enlistment, who were killed on the whole Western Front and who have no known grave.

During the Second World War, Arras was occupied by United Kingdom forces headquarters until the town was evacuated on 23 May 1940. Arras then remained in German hands until retaken by Commonwealth and Free French forces on 1 September 1944.

Photographs in this section taken by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie.

Ypres, Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium

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Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). The Menin Gate is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient. The Salient was formed during the First Battle of Ypres in October and November 1914, when a small British Expeditionary Force succeeded in securing the town before the onset of winter, pushing the German forces back to the Passchendaele Ridge. The Second Battle of Ypres began in April 1915 when the Germans released poison gas into the Allied lines north of Ypres. This was the first time gas had been used by either side and the violence of the attack forced an Allied withdrawal and a shortening of the line of defence.

The battles of the Ypres Salient claimed many lives on both sides and it quickly became clear that the commemoration of members of the Commonwealth forces with no known grave would have to be divided between several different sites. The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates those of all Commonwealth nations except New Zealand who died in the Salient before 16 August 1917.

Commemorates more than 54,000 officers and men who were killed on the Ypres Salient from the beginning of the war to the opening of the Passchendaele offensive (16th August 1917).

All photographs in this section taken by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

St Julien Canadian Memorial, Belgium

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for our many Canadian members we have included this beautiful memorial.

The St. Julien Memorial is a Canadian war memorial and small commemorative park located in Saint Julien, Belgium. The memorial commemorates the Canadian First Division's participation in the Second Battle of Ypres of World War I and their defence against the first poison gas attacks along the Western Front. Frederick Chapman Clemesha sculpture Brooding Soldier was selected to serve as the monument following a design competition organized by the Canadian Battlefield Monument Commission in 1920.

The village of Saint Julien and a section of forested land called Saint Julien Wood was at a pronounced bend in the north east sector of the Ypres Salient prior to the Second Battle of Ypres. The area was also the junction between the British and French sectors of responsibility. The Canadians First Division holding the most northern section of the British line and the 45th (Algerian) Division holding the most southern section of the French line. The German Army had 168 tons of chlorine deployed in 5,730 cylinders opposite Langemark-Poelkapelle, north of Ypres. The Canadians were manning the lines for several hundred metres along a front to the southwest of St. Julien when the German Army unleashed the first poison gas attack on the Western Front on 22 April 1915.

The initial gas attack largely drifted to the north of the Canadian lines, into the trenches of the French 45th (Algerian) and 87th (Territorial) Divisions, of 26th Reserve Corps. The gas drifted across positions largely held French colonial troops who broke ranks and abandoned their trenches, creating an 8,000 yard (7 km) gap in the Allied line. The German infantry were also wary of the gas and, lacking reinforcements, failed to exploit the break before the First Canadian Division and assorted French troops reformed the line in scattered, hastily prepared positions 1,000 to 3,000 yards apart. In actions at Kitcheners Wood, Pilkem Ridge and Gravenstafel Ridge the Canadians held the line and prevented a German breakthrough until they were relieved by reinforcements on the 24 April.

In the 48 crucial hours that they held the line, 6,035 Canadians, or one man in every three who went into battle became casualties and of that number approximately 2000 or one man in every nine was killed.

Further information can be read on the Canadian's Veteran's Website.

All photographs above taken by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

Mailly Wood, Somme, France

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Mailly Wood Cemetery

1916 - 1918

Mailly-Maillet was within the line taken over from the French in the summer of 1915, and several Commonwealth cemeteries were made in the commune. Mailly Wood Cemetery was begun with the burial of thirteen men of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders who died on 25 June 1916, and in November 1916, the 51st (Highland) Division buried in it following the capture of Beaumont Hamel. Thereafter, the cemetery was little used until April-August 1918, when the German attack on Amiens brought the front line very close, and further burials were made by the 12th Division (in May) and the 21st (in August), among others. After the Armistice graves from the battlefields immediately north-east of the village were brought into the cemetery, and 30 graves from Mailly Maillet Military Cemetery in the village itself. The cemetery now contains 702 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 672 British, 28 from New Zealand and 3 from South Afirca. 60 of the burials are unidentified and there are special memorials to two casualties whose graves in the cemetery could not be found, and to six whose graves in the military cemetery were destroyed by shell fire.

The following photograph shows the Seaforth Highlanders section.

All photographs in this section by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

William Murray and brother Alexander

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WILLIAM GRANT MURRAY born 17 July 1889, killed in action 16 April 1918 France – Second Lieutenant William Grant Murray, 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, was killed on Tuesday, 16th April 1918. He is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaandreren, Belgium. “Mrs Murray, The Poles, Dornoch and her family have suffered very heavily in the war. They have received intimation that Lieut. W G Murray was killed in action on 16th April. This is Mrs Murray’s elder son; the younger one was killed earlier in the war. At that time William Murray was in the Argentine. He was distressed at the loss of his brother and resolved to return to this country and enlist. He carried out his resolution and after training at Golspie he went to Ripon where his promotion was rapid and at the time of his death he held the rank of Lieutenant. He was a hardworking young man of ability and won the confidence and inspired enthusiasm of all those around him. To his doubly bereaved mother and other relatives the sympathy of the whole countryside goes out in their deep sorrow”. (NT 2/5/1918)

and his brother: ALEXANDER MURRAY, born 19 May 1895 Benarmine, Clyne, killed in action Tuesday, 8th June 1915 France – Private, 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders is commemorated with honour on Le Touret Memorial. William and Alexander are commemorated on Dornoch War Memorial.

William and Alexander are sons of Donald Murray, gamekeeper (born Rogart) and Isabella Grant. The family lived for sometime at Benarmine, Clyne before settling at Poles, Dornoch. The boys parents are buried in Golspie.

Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

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The Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium

forms the north east boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery and

commemorates nearly 35,000 servicemen from

the United Kingdom and New Zealand

who died in the Ypres Saleint after 16th August 1917 and whose graves are not known.

The memorial stands close to the farthest point in Belgium reached by Commonwealth Forces in the First World War until the final advance to Victory.

Photographs taken by Shirley Sutherland, Golspie

Cpl. Donald Murray and brother Thomas

2009-11-04T14:26:00.010Z

Donald Murray, born 20 October 1888 Badbea, Creich - joined 2nd Seaforth Highlanders - lost in action - Thursday, 4 October 1917 in the vicinity of Ypres – Corporal Donald Murray is commemorated on the Tyne Cot War Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium and on Creich War Memorial.
His brother Thomas, born 25 September 1881 Badbea, Creich, killed in action 6 December 1916 Salonika - trooper in the Lovat Scouts - formerly a gardener with Mr Andrew Carnegie of Skibo Castle.
Sons of Alexander Murray and Catherine Logan who are buried in Creich Cemetery where Donald and Thomas are commemorated on their gravestone.

Alick Bain, Corry, Rogart

2009-11-04T14:09:00.007Z

Alick Bain, son of Donald Bain and Mary Ann Fraser, Corry, Rogart

Lance Corporal Alexander James Bain, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly Seaforth Highlanders, died 19th April 1919 at Morvich Farm, Rogart.

He is buried in Rogart Cemetery in a war grave. He is also named on the Rogart War Memorial.

Many thanks to Jean Sutherland, Elgin for the above photographs

Sgt. A. N. Sutherland

2009-11-04T13:25:00.007Z

Alexander Nicholas Sutherland, Sergeant 18th Queen Mary's Own Hussars, killed 24th August 1914.
Son of Walter David Sutherland, Clashmore, Dornoch, Sutherland; husband of Gertrude Maude Ward (formerly Sutherland), of Highfield House, Ludgershall, Andover, Hants. He is buried in Cement House Cemetery, Belgium.

This man was a regular soldier – in an early cavalry attack near Mons he reached down to help a French cavalry officer and as a consequence was shot in the back and died from his wounds…………..the French officer survived and remembered Alexander who was awarded the French medal militiare posthumously.
He was one of the very first casualties of the war.

Not too many years ago the authorities were persuaded to add the French MM after his name on the Dornoch war memorial- it is in slightly raised bronze. There is a plaque in Dornoch cathedral which features his name along with others from the congregation who lost their lives in the Great War

Meanwhile his brother Walter had emigrated from Clashmore (where he had been a gardener at Skibo castle) to Canada. When he heard of Alexander’s death he enlisted with the Canadian expeditionary force and was posted to the western front near to the town of Poperinge in Flanders, Belgium.

He met a local girl who served him a beer in an estaminet (wee local pub) and they got married…………so he stayed on in the area. After the war his gardening experience stood him in good stead and he got a job with the CWGC and worked in Lissjenthoek cemetery until his retiral. He had a son George who is almost 88 – he and my George are second cousins!

I only know this story because of our going to Talbot House in Poperinge as volunteer wardens. George discovered the family connection and once we found George A Sutherland’s name in the local phone book, contact was made and friendships formed………

We will remember Alex on the 11th November but are grateful for the family connection made with George, his wife and family.

The picture below shows Walter in the early days of planting trees in the cemetery.

Morag L Sutherland – October 2009