Ben Wyvis Primary School Memorial Garden
Attribution: unknown or not recorded
Memorial Service
In July 2015 a memorial service was held in the grounds of Ben Wyvis Primary School, Conon Bridge, to honour seven young men, former pupils of the school, who died in action during World War 1.
Seven trees were planted in memory of the young men and name plaques were installed in the garden.
The remembrance garden was the idea of local man, Tony Innes, whose grandfather, Alexander Innes, attended Conon School with the young men, and went to war with them but, fortunately, survived. Tony recalled his grandfather always toasting his lost friends at Hogmanay and Armistice Day.
Relatives of the soldiers, the Lord Lieutenant Mrs Janet Bowen, local councillors, members of the Seaforth Highlanders Regimental Association, and children from the local uniformed organisations all attended the event. Rev Andrew Graham of Ferintosh Church, conducted the commemoration service.
The soldiers concerned were:
Pupils and Staff of Ben Wyvis Primary School
Attribution: Editor of the Ross-shire Journal
Private Roderick Clunas, Seaforth Highlanders
Was born in 1889 and stayed at Alcaig, where his father was a ploughman. He was 26 when he died on 8 November 1915.
Lance Corporal H Ellis, Seaforth Highlanders
Born in 1888, his father was manager at Conon Mains farm. He won many medals playing football for Golspie betweem 1907 and 1910. He was 29 when he died on 13 April 1917.
Private David Forsyth, Seaforth Highlanders
Seaforths. Born in 1887, his father was a ploughman at Torgorm farm. He was 29 when he died on 30 June 1916.
Lance Corporal A. J. Melrose, Seaforth Highlanders
Seaforths, was brought up with an aunt, Mrs Gibbons, in Conon. He was 32 when he died in 1916.
Photo: #5909
Private Alexander Fraser, Seaforth Highlanders
Born in 1896, he lived at Quarry Cottage, Conon Bridge. He was a gardener with Sir Kenneth Mackenzie at Conon House. He was 21 when he died on 29 December 1917.
For more details visit the Conon Bridge War Records section
Photo: #5908
Lance Corporal Robert M Gollan, 2nd Cameron Highlanders
Born in 1883, he lived in Bridge Street, Conon Bridge, and worked with the post office both in Beauly and Conon. His father was a carpenter with Macdonald’s in Dingwall. He was 31 when he died on 2 October 1914.
For more details visit the Conon Bridge War Records section
Photo: #5906
Private Roderick J Macrae, gunner, 3/4 Seaforths
Born in 1894, he lived at Top Street, Conon Bridge. He worked for William Mackenzie, grocer, Dingwall. His father was a mason in Conon. He was 23 when he died on 27 November 1917.
For more details visit the Conon Bridge War Records section
Tree Planting
The Fraser brothers and their brother Sandy, in New Zealand, are nephews of Private Alexander Fraser. John and Jeanette live in the same house in Conon Bridge where Private Alexander Fraser was born in 1896.
Above photos courtesy of the Editor of The Ross-shire Journal.
L-r: Jeanette and John Fraser; Finlay and Geraldine Fraser; Tony Innes.
Seated is four-year-old Keir Cowie, grandchild of John and Jeanette Fraser.
Attribution: Editor of the Ross-shire Journal
