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 Robert Topp

Today marks the anniversary of the death in battle of Robert Topp, Pte 528051, London Scottish Regiment.  He had previously served as Pte 10956, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  He was just 20 years of age when he was killed in action on the western front.

Robert's parents, Alexander and Jane Topp, lived at 8, South High Street in Portsoy. 

Together with almost 10,000 war casualties, Robert is commemorated at Vis-en-Artois cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France.

Remembering George Goodall, war casualty

On this day in 1918 George Goodall, L/Cpl 202501, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, lost his life in the conflict on the western front.  He was aged 26 when he fell in action.

George's parents lived at 19 Schoolhendry Street in Portsoy.

George was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in the field, though the precise circumstances are unknown.

A gravestone is dedicated to his memory at Sézanne Communal Cemetery in the Marne département, France.

In memory of William McGregor

Today we reflect on the loss of William McGregor, Pte 265664, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action on 27th July 1918.

Before joining up to serve his country, William lived at 8 Seafield Street in Portsoy.

A gravestone marks his final resting place at Courmas British Cemetery in the Marne département of France.  He is one of 130 war casualties commemorated there.

Robert Still, casualty of WW1

A century after his death, we remember Robert Still, Gunner 121139, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died on 27th May 1918 of wounds received in battle.  He was 29 years of age.

Robert was the son of Francis and Elspet Still, whose home was at 1, Culbert Street in Portsoy. 

He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial in the Aisne département, France and on the Portsoy town war memorial.

In memory of Marcus Calder and Charles Riddoch, casualties of WW1

On this day Portsoy remembers two young men who lost their lives during the conflict on the Western Front.

Marcus Calder, Pte S/43769, 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders, was the only son of Marcus and Isabella Calder, who lived at 36 Church Street in Portsoy.  Marcus senior ran the "Banffshire Reporter" newspaper from its base in Portsoy.  His son was 28 years of age when he fell in action on 22nd May 1918.  A gravestone marks his resting place in Pernes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Charles Riddoch, Pte 23681, 29th Bn Machine Gun Corps, was 27 years of age when he died of wounds at King George's Hospital, London.  Charles was the son of Annie Riddoch, 26 Church Street, Portsoy.  His body was returned to Portsoy for burial and his grave is marked by a Commonwealth War Graves stone.

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.

Remembering William Begg

On this day we remember William Begg, Cpl 242277, 5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders.  William was the grandson of blacksmith George Begg and Ann Thomson, who lived at 42 Seafield Street in Portsoy.

William was killed in action during the Arras offensive which began on 21st March 1918.  Together with almost 15,000 other casualties, he is commemorated at Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.  

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.

James Calder, Portsoy war casualty

Today we remember Portsoy native James Alexander Bruce Calder, whose parents George and Jessie Ann Calder had left Scotland and settled at 106 Summerhill Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.  James served as Pte 766781 in the 123rd Canadian Pioneers and was 24 years of age when he fell in action.

James was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium, where a gravestone marks his final resting place.

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.

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.

Thomas Jamieson, war casualty

Today we remember Thomas Jamieson, Gunner 121782, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on 16th October 1917.  Thomas, a native of Shetland, was 27 years of age when he lost his life.  His parents, Thomas and Robina, lived at Easterscora, Delting, Shetland.

Thomas' grave is marked by a cross at The Huts cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium.