In memory of Alexander Wright

On this day we remember Alexander James Wright, Fireman in the Royal Naval Reserve.  He was serving on S.S. Copeland which was sailing from Glasgow to Cork when it was torpedoed on 2nd December 1917.  Twelve crew, including Alexander, lost their lives as a result.

Alexander was born in Fordyce in about 1889 to George and Jessie Ann Wright.  He also left a widow, Jessie (Donaldson) Wright, who lived at 73 Crossburn Street in Glasgow.

Alexander is among over 36,000 casualties commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

Summer genealogy sessions

Throughout July and August 2016 we will once again be holding weekly drop-in sessions for anyone tracing their local family history.  Come along to the Salmon Bothy between 2pm and 4pm on Fridays from 8th July until 26th August for advice from our genealogy expert, Gene Genie Scotland.  We make no charge for this service, but donations to the Salmon Bothy are always welcome!

In memory of Alexander Gray

On this day we remember the loss of Alexander Gray.  At the age of 18 Alexander was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve when, on 9^th June 1915, he died of wounds sustained in action in the Dardanelles.  A gravestone is dedicated to him at Mudros in Greece and he is also commemorated on the family gravestone in Portsoy cemetery.  Alexander was the son of John and Maggie Gray who lived at Muir of Glassaugh, Fordyce.

In memory of James Grant Gray and Donald Stuart

One hundred years on, Portsoy war casualties James Grant Gray and Donald Stuart are present in our thoughts.  Both young men were on active service with the Gordon Highlanders when they lost their lives on 16^th May 1915.  Both are commemorated on the LeTouret memorial in Pas de Calais, France. 

James Grant Gray, Pte 909, Gordon Highlanders was aged 23 at the time of his death.  His parents were William Ker Gray, Glenboyne, Portsoy, Banffshire, and Christina McKechnie Gray.

Donald Stuart, Pte 1470, 6^th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was the son of James & Annie Stuart of Cultain, Fordyce and was only 17 when he was killed.  His name is absent from the Portsoy town memorial but he is commemorated on the family gravestone in Portsoy cemetery.  

James Williamson, war casualty

Today we remember James Williamson, Pte 1465, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, a casualty of the battle of Neuve Chapelle.  James was the son of J. Williamson, gamekeeper at Glassaugh, Fordyce, and was aged just 19 when he died on 13th March 1915.  He is named on the memorial at Le Touret in Pas de Calais, France.

Family history advice sessions, summer 2012

Are you researching your ancestral roots in the local area?  Why not drop in at the Salmon Bothy to see what advice our local specialist can offer?  Our resources include a collection of ancestor charts compiled by researchers with local links, as well as other material specific to Portsoy and Fordyce.  There's no need for an appointment - just come along between 2pm and 4pm any Wednesday throughout the summer, from July until the end of September.