In memory of William Mair

On 4th March we reflect on the sacrifice of William F. Mair, Able Seaman J/55500, whose family lived in Portsoy.  William was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve with HMS Excellent when he lost his life.

A memorial to William stands in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, where a stone is dedicated to him.

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.

In memory of Donald McBain

On this day we remember Portsoy native Donald McBain, son of James McBain and Susan Reach, whose home was in Schoolhendry Street.  Donald was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve as mate on board SS Ballogie when it was torpedoed off the Yorkshire coast on 9th November 1917.  He was aged 61 when he lost his life and left behind a widow, Williamina McBain, who lived at 175 Crown Street in Aberdeen.

The Tower Hill memorial in London bears a dedication to Donald, as well as to over 36,000 other men of the Merchant Navy who were lost at sea.

James Smith, Portsoy war casualty

Today we remember James Smith, Trimmer 5655/TS who was aged just 19 when he was killed on 19th April 1917.  James was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve on HM Trawler "Lobelia II" when it struck a mine off the coast of Donegal near Fanad Head.  His parents were Captain James and Lilias Smith, who lived at 59 Schoolhendry Street in Portsoy.

James is one of the many war casualties commemorated by the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

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.