John Farquharson, casualty of WW1

Although the Armistice was signed on 11th November 1918, the conflict continued to claim lives.  Today we remember John Farquharson, Cpl 227017, Canadian Mounted Rifles, who died of wounds on 20th November 1918, aged 41 years.  Born 3rd October 1877 at South High Street, Portsoy, John married Isabella Chalmers (also of Portsoy) in St Pancras, London in 1909. They went on to make their home in Hamilton,Ontario,Canada.

John enlisted, aged 38, and served with the Canadian Mounted Rifles.

He sailed from Halifax, N.S. on the RMS Olympic in July 1916, sister ship of the Titanic. Those service personnel taking their ”Last Steps” on Canadian soil are remembered today on similar memorials on the quay at Halifax, N.S. and at Passchendaele in Flanders. 

John died of influenza on the 20.11.1918 at the Military Hospital in Farnham and was buried at Bordon Military Cemetery in Hampshire.  John is remembered on Portsoy War Memorial and also on the family grave stone in Portsoy.  

Thanks to Susan Strang for supplying family details.

In memory of Alexander Sandison

On 20th October, the anniversary of his death, we remember Alexander Sandison, Trooper, South African Light Horse.  Alexander was 38 years of age when he lost his life in combat.  He was the son of Jane Sandison, who lived in Low Street, Portsoy. 

Alexander is commemorated on the Portsoy Town memorial.

Remembering John Innes

On this day we think of Lance-Corporal John Innes, 17th Bn. Royal Scots, who died of wounds received in battle on 29th September 1918, aged 42.  John was born in Portsoy to Joseph and Jane Innes and left behind a widow Elsie, whose address was 75 Dalry Road, Edinburgh.

A gravestone is dedicated to John at Zantvoorde British cemetery near Ypres in Belgium.

In memory of William McBain, war casualty

Today Portsoy remembers William McBain, Pte 64118, 27th Royal Army Medical Corps Field Ambulance, who was killed in action on 28th September 1918, at the age of 35.  A native of Portsoy, he was the son of John & Agnes McBain who subsequently lived in Coaltown of Wemyss, Fife.

A gravestone is dedicated to William at Perth Cemetery (China Wall) near Ypres in Belgium.

 

John Grant Watt, casualty of WW1

Today, 27th August, marks the centenary of the death of 2nd Lieut. John Grant Watt.  He was killed in action while serving with 7th Bn. Gordon Highlanders and was 24 years of age when he lost his life in combat.  His parents, Charles and Jessie Watt, lived at Durn Road in Portsoy.

Together with over 9,000 men, he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Portsoy remembers Alexander Chalmers

On 11th April we remember the loss of Alexander Chalmers, Pte S/19615 7th Bn Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander was born at Rosehall, Portsoy on 09.10.1898, the illegitimate child of Mary Jane Chalmers who died on 26.10.1898 - less than 3 weeks after Alexander’s birth.  He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Mr & Mrs Alexander Chalmers who lived at 28 Schoolhendry Street in Portsoy.  His uncle, John Farquharson, was to become a war casualty later in the year.

Alexander was 19 years of age when he died of wounds received in action.  His grave is marked by a stone at Lillers Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and he is also commemorated on the family gravestone in Portsoy, as well as the town war memorial.

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.

William L Guthrie, war casualty

On this day we remember William Lovie Guthrie, Pte 265780, 6th Gordon Highlanders.  William was severely wounded in action in France and died aged 21 on 12th January 1918 at Frensham Military Hospital, Surrrey. 

William was the son of James & Annie Guthrie, Muir of Clochan, Buckie.  His body was taken for burial to Buckie New Cemetery, where a headstone marks his resting place.  He is also commemorated on Portsoy Town memorial.

Portsoy remembers Alexander Adamson

On this day we reflect on the sacrifice of Alexander Adamson, Pte 35266, 2nd Highland Light Infantry, who died of wounds on 3rd December 1917.  He had previously served as Pte 1442, Gordon Highlanders.  

Alexander was the son of Helen Adamson, 29 Schoolhendry Street, Portsoy.

Alexander was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, where a headstone 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.

Portsoy remembers Gordon Robertson

On 26th October we reflect on the sacrifice of Gordon Robertson, Pte 266124, 2nd Bn Gordon Highlanders.  Gordon was the son of William & Margaret Robertson, who lived at 6, Chapel Street in Portsoy.  He was 21 years of age when he was killed in action.

Gordon is commemorated on Panel 135-6 at the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres in Belgium.

Portsoy remembers Alexander West

Alexander George West was born in Portsoy to Henry & Margaret West, who subsequently settled at Dennistoun in Glasgow.  He served as S/17551 with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and was 19 years of age when he fell in action on 29th August 1917.

Alexander is commemorated by a gravestone in the Aeroplane Cemetery which is situated in the Ypres area of West-Vlaanderen in Belgium.

In memory of John Badenoch

Today, 11th July, marks the centenary of the death of John Badenoch, Pte 38906, Royal Army Medical Corps.  Having graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1900, he returned as a Divinity student in 1914 before enlisting for war service.  An entry in the University of Aberdeen Roll of Honour provides further biographical details.  John was one of the youngest children born to James Badenoch and his wife Mary Sutherland, whose home was at Tower House, Cullen Street in Portsoy.  

John was posted to the 33rd British General Hospital in Mesopotamia in November 1916.  His army service papers record medical treatment for dysentery and sandfly fever in the following months, before he eventually succumbed to heatstroke.  He was buried in Basra War Cemetery where a gravestone is dedicated to his memory.  He is also commemorated on the obelisk which marks the family grave in Portsoy.  

Sinclair McIntyre: Portsoy war casualty

A century after his death on 29th June 1917 we reflect on the sacrifice of young Sinclair McIntyre, Pte S/40312, 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Sinclair, aged 21 when he fell in action, was the son of John McIntyre and his wife Eliza Anderson, who ran a shop at 13 Seafield Street in Portsoy.  Eliza's father, Alexander Anderson, was renowned as a photographer and produced some of the earliest postcards of Portsoy.

Sinclair's grave lies at Zillebeke, near Ypres in Belgium.  A headstone bearing the sign of a cross is dedicated to him in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall).

In memory of Alexander Innes

On 22nd December we remember the sacrifice of Alexander Innes, Pte 10947, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander was a native of Portsoy and left behind a widow, Alexena, who lived in Cullen Street.  He was 35 years of age when he fell in action on 22nd December 1916.  A gravestone is dedicated to his memory at the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Portsoy remembers William Moir

On this day we remember William Smith Moir, Pte 123698, 60th Canadian Infantry (Victoria Rifles).  William was the son of Alexander and Alexandrina Moir, and his wife Helen lived at 13 Barbank Street in Portsoy.  He was 38 years of age when he fell in action on 26th November 1916 in the fighting at Vimy Ridge.  A headstone is dedicated to his memory in the Nine Elms Military Cemetery at Thelus, Pas de Calais.

Remembering Alexander Main

Today we remember the sacrifice of Alexander Main, Pte 12325, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander's parents lived in Cullen Street in Portsoy.  He was killed in action on 23rd November 1916 and is commemorated on the imposing Thiepval Memorial near Albert in France.

In memory of Alexander Murray

On the anniversary of his death, we remember Alexander Murray, Pte 907, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander, who was killed in action in France on 22nd November 1916, was the son of Mr James Murray, 26 South High Street in Portsoy.  A gravestone at  Mailly Wood Cemetery is dedicated to his memory.

In memory of John C. Pirie

Today we remember John C. Pirie, Sgt 629434, 47th Battalion Canadian Infantry.  The son of John and Lily Pirie in Portsoy, he was 35 years of age when he fell in action on 11th November 1916.

A stone in Portsoy cemetery is dedicated to his memory.  He is also commemorated at the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension in France, where he was buried.

Sergeant William Murray

On the anniversary of his death, we remember the sacrifice of William Murray, Sgt 13342 of 5th Battalion Canadian Infantry, who died of wounds received during the conflict in France. He had lived at 41 Schoolhendry Street in Portsoy and had a sister there, Mrs I. Duncan.  

A headstone is dedicated to William Murray at Contay British Cemetery in the Somme département of France.