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.