In memory of James Duncan & Alexander Robertson

On the second anniversary of the outbreak of WW1, two Portsoy men became casualties of the conflict.

James Duncan, Pte 1467, 6th Bn. Gordon Highlanders fell in action on 4th August 1916 at the age of just eighteen.  James' mother, Mrs Isabella Duncan, lived at 13 Hill Street in Portsoy.  He is commemorated at the iconic Thiepval Memorial near Albert in France.

Alexander Robertson, Captain, 6th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, also lost his life on the same day.  A married man aged 31, he had lived at Dunalistair, Portsoy, with his wife Elsie Geddes.  The couple later settled in Edinburgh.  A headstone is dedicated to his memory at the Serre Road Cemetery No. 2 in Beaumont-Hamel, France.

In memory of Reston Garbutt

On 1st December 1915, James Reston Gardiner Garbutt joined the ranks of Portsoy's war casualties.  He was the son of William Milne Garbutt and Elizabeth Gardiner and in 1911 had graduated MB ChB from Aberdeen University.  He was serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in France when he was killed in action at the age of 26.  He is commemorated by a gravestone at Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais.

Heavy hearts in Portsoy

On 25th September we remember four young Portsoy men who lost their lives in the battle of Loos.  

Alexander Kemp, Pte S/7739 served in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Aged 30, he was the son of Mary Morrison, who lived at 11 Aird Street in Portsoy.

The remaining three casualties all belonged to the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  

Pte 11249 Andrew Gibson McKerrow, the son of Isabella Benzie, was just 20 years of age when he fell in action.  

William McKimmie, Pte 1466, who lived at 25 Church Street in Portsoy, was 22 years old.

Pte 952 John James Robertson was aged 28 and had lived at 58 Aird Street with his parents James & Margaret Robertson.

All are commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Portsoy mourns John McWilliam & James Morrison

On this day we remember the sacrifice made by John McWilliam, Pte 906, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders and by James A. Morrison, L/Cpl 971, also 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Both were killed in action on 10th February 1915.

John McWilliam lived at Backgreen, Portsoy, and James Morrison lived at 3, Culbert Street, Portsoy.

They are both commemorated at the Rue Petillon cemetery , Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France.