Leading Seaman W. G. Alexander WW2

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

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

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

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

Dornoch Cathedral

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

Lance Cpl. James Mackay

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.

Pte. William Murray, Gordon Highlanders

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.

Lance Cpl. Peter Gordon

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.

William Murray and brother Alexander

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.

Dornoch War Memorial

Dornoch War Memorial

see also more photographs in our War Memorial Album and also on our main website.

1914-1918
CAMERON William Private 8th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
COWIE David Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
CUMMING Gabriel Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
DINGWALL William Private Scots Guards
DUFF George Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
DUFF John Private 6th Bn Scottish Rifles
FRASER Alexander Private Machine Gun Corps
FRASER Robert Sergeant 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
GILLESPIE John A Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
GORDON Peter Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
GORDON Robert Private 15th Bn Highland Light Infantry
GORDON William Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
GRANT Alexander Private 5th Bn Cameron Highlanders
GRANT Donald Private 9th Bn The Royal Scots
GRANT George Private 16th Bn The Royal Scots
GRANT George Lance Corporal MM 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
GRANT George Private Lovat Scouts
GRANT John Private 5th Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force
GRANT Richard Private 5th Bn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
GRANT Thomas Private Royal Engineers
HEPBURN Donald Sergeant 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
HERD James A Sergeant 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
HERD John B Lieutenant 4th Bn Gordon Highlanders
HERD William Private 9th Bn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)
MACCULLOCH Thomas Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACDONALD  David C Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACDONALD  Kenneth J Private 6th Bn Gordon Highlanders
MACDONALD  William Captain 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY A Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY Alexander Private DCM 2nd Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
MACKAY Donald Private 9th (Highland) Bn The Royal Scots
MACKAY Donald Lance Sergeant MM 7th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY Donald Private 7th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY James Lance Corporal 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY James Lance Corporal 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY John Private New Zealand Machine Gun Corps
MACKAY Simon Private 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY Walter M Lance Corporal 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY William Private 12th Bn Highland Light Infantry
MACKAY William D Piper 8th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACKENZIE George Private 6th Bn Highland Light Infantry
MACKENZIE Robert Sergeant MM 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACLACHLAN John Private 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MACNEIL John Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MATHESON John Private Highland Light Infantry
MATHESON Walter Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MATHESON , William , Private , 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MUNRO Hugh Private 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MUNRO Hugh Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MUNRO Hugh Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MUNRO John S Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps
MURRAY A Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MURRAY Angus ,Corporal Machine Gun Corps
MURRAY Alexander Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MURRAY George Private 6th Bn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
MURRAY S Private Yorkshire Regiment
MURRAY William Sergeant 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MURRAY William G Lieutenant 7th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MURRAY William Private 6th Bn Gordon Highlanders
ROSS David Sergeant 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders
ROSS George Private 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
ROSS John Sergeant 1st Bn Cameron Highlanders
ROSS John D Private 19th Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force
ROSS Thomas P Private Machine Gun Corps
SUTHERLAND Alexander N Sergeant Med. Mil.11th Hussars
SUTHERLAND Andrew Private 8th Bn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)
SUTHERLAND Hugh A Private 27th (Tyneside Irish) Bn. N'land Fusiliers
SUTHERLAND William Lance Corporal 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
WADELL T.B. Thomas B 2nd Lieutenant , 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders

1939-1945
ALEXANDER William G Leading Seaman Royal Navy Patrol Service
BUDGE Andrew C Captain 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
FRASER J Corporal 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
GARVIE Douglas Corporal 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
GILLIE Benjamin E Leading Seaman Royal Naval Reserve
GORDON George Signaller Royal Artillery
GUNN Donald Sergeant 5th Bn The Hampshire Regiment
HARRISON George W Lance Corporal 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
INNES William J B Flying Officer Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
KENNEDY George G Private 6th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MACALISTER Thomas Corporal 1st Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MACDONALD I R Flying Officer Royal Air Force
MACDONALD John M Sergeant 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MACGREGOR E A Driver Royal Air Force
MACKAY Angus S Gunner Airlanding Light Regiment Royal Artillery
MACKAY Donald Sergeant 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MACKAY John L Ordinary Seaman Merchant Navy
MACKAY P Leading Seaman Merchant Navy
MACKAY Thomas Leading Seaman Royal Naval Reserve
MACKENZIE John Private 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MACLEOD George Sergeant Royal Air Force
MATHESON John M Private 2nd Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MATHESON Marcus S Driver Royal Army Service Corps
MURRAY James L Lance Corporal 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
MURRAY Lilly Sister Queen Alexandra’s I.M. Nursing Service
MURRAY W Sergeant Royal Air Force
ROSS Alexander Able Seaman Royal Navy Patrol Service
ROSS James R Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
ROSS John Private 23rd Rifle Bn. New Zealand Force
SUTHERLAND Stuart R Lieutenant The Wiltshire Regiment
SWANSON Donald Lance Corporal 5th Bn The Seaforth Highlanders
TURNER James Sergeant 218 Squadron, Royal Air Force

This plaque is at Embo Village, Dornoch

The names are included on the main Dornoch War Memorial above

There is also a tablet in Dornoch which reads: "This tablet has been erected by the Glasgow Sutherlandshire Association, To The Glory of God and in grateful remembrance of:

Gilbert Gunn BANNERMAN; Allan GILMOUR; John Bain HERD;
Neil MACKINTOSH; John M. MACKAY; John MACKAY; Ewen MACKENZIE;
George MACKENZIE; John R. MACKENZIE; Murdo MACKENZIE;
Alexander MACLEAN; Kemp MACLEAN; Thomas MACLEAN;
Angus MACLEOD; Donald MACLEOD; John MACLEOD; John MATHESON;
Donald Mackay MORRISON; Robert Mackay MORRISON;
Jack S. ROSS; Walter A. ROSS; Donald SIMPSON;
John SUTHERLAND; William SUTHERLAND.
Members of this Association who fell in the Great War".

Another plaque in Dornoch is shown above.
1914-1919
"Erected by The Seaforth Highlanders to the undying memory of 8,342 comrades belonging to the ten battalions of the Regiment who gave their lives for their country in the great war. Scotland Forever".

Further photographs on Adam Brown's website HERE