Tain WW II page 1
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Flying Officer George Russell Davidson
Date of Paper: 07.01.1944
Surname: Davidson
Forename(s): George Russell
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Home Address: Tain
No Headline
Flying Officer George Russell Davidson, D.F.M., son of Bailie and Mrs G. B. Davidson, Tain, has been posted missing from flying operations last month. Sympathetic reference was made to the news by the Rev. R. W. A. Begg at the Sabbath morning service in the Church of Scotland. It was only last year, said Mr Begg, that they had rejoiced when Flying Officer Davidson had been honoured at the hands of the King with the Distinguished Flying Medal. He voiced the general hope of the community that news might yet be received of his safety, and extended sympathy to the parents and family in their anxiety.
Sergeant Pilot James Davidson
Date of Paper: 14.01.1944
Surname: Davidson
Forename(s): James
Rank: Sergeant Pilot
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Home Address: Tain
No Headline
Sgt. Pilot James Davidson, R.A.F., killed in action, was the youngest son of Bailie and Mrs G. B. Davidson, Tain. Entering the boys’ service of the R.A.F. before the outbreak of war, he completed his training as a pilot in Canada a few months ago, and returned to the home country. Only the previous week his elder brother, Flying Officer George R. Davidson, D.F.M., R.A.F., was posted missing. He was awarded the D.F.M. for outstanding wireless service over an extended period of operations. Much sympathy is felt with the sorrowing parents.
Adam Sutherland Fraser
Date of Paper: 29.03.1946
Surname: Fraser
Forename(s): Adam Sutherland
Rank: Not stated
Regiment: Dutch Army
Home Address: 18 Downie Terrace, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, ex-Knockbreck, Tain
Fraser
Official information has been received that Adam Sutherland Fraser, dearly beloved only son of the late Alexander Fraser, Knockbreck, Tain, Ross-shire, and Mrs Fraser, 18 Downie Terrace, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is now presumed to have been killed in action with the Dutch Army at Tigaroenggoe, Sumatra, on 15th March, 1942. Deeply mourned.
Company Sergeant Major Charles Mackay
Date of Paper: 10.05.1946
Surname: Mackay
Forename(s): Charles
Rank: Company Sergeant Major
Regiment: Not stated
Home Address: 3 Gower Street, Tain
Mackay
At the British Military Hospital, Accra, Gold Coast Colony, West Africa, on 30th April, 1946, result of an accident, C.S.M. Charles Mackay, only son of Mr and Mrs Mackay, 3 Gower Street, Tain, Ross-shire. Dearly loved and sadly missed.
Sergeant Donald George Macleod
Date of Paper: 11.02.1944
Surname: Macleod
Forename(s): Donald George
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Home Address: Ontario, ex-Tain
No Headline
Killed in an aircraft accident, Sergeant Donald George Macleod, RCAF, only son of Mr and Mrs John Macleod, Waterford, Ontario (formerly of Tain, Ross-shire), aged 21 years. Interred Stonefalls Cemetery, Harrowgate.
Flying Officer James George Macleod
Date of Paper: 14.01.1944
Surname: Macleod
Forename(s): James George
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Home Address: St John, New Brunswick, ex-Tain
KILLED IN ACTION
Flying Officer James George Macleod, RCAF, killed in action, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Tom M Macleod, Bayside Drive, East Street, St John, New Brunswick, and formerly of Fearn and Tain. He was 24 years of age and was born in Tain, but went about 20 years ago with his parents to St John, where his father is an engineer with the Dry Dock Company. Flying Officer Macleod is well known in Tain, where he spent several leaves with his uncle, Mr Kenneth Macleod.
Sergeant Pilot Roderick Macleod
Date of Paper: 25.12.1942
Surname: Macleod
Forename(s): Roderick
Rank: Sergeant Pilot
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Home Address: Hartfield Street, Tain
ACCIDENTALLY KILLED
The sad news was learned on Saturday evening of the death, while on operational flying, of Sergeant Pilot Roderick Macleod, youngest son of the late Mr Roderick Macleod, and of Mrs Macleod, Hartfield Street, Tain. He was 21 years of age, and returned to this country only a few weeks ago, after completing his training in Canada. Before entering the RAF, he had almost completed his Arts degree course in Classics at Glasgow University. Roddie, who was a warm favourite with everyone who knew him, will be remembered by many football enthusiasts in the Highlands as an excellent player. While still a 15-year-old schoolboy at Tain Academy, he turned out on several occasions for Inverness Thistle FC, and also played for Glasgow University, and his skill was frequently called upon in Canada. He was a frank, unassuming lad with steadfast qualities, whole-hearted in work and play. Sympathy is felt for his mother and the remaining members of the family. [Entered, but pencilled out, is the sentence: “Two other brothers are serving with the RAF.]
Flying Officer William Macleod
Date of Paper: 16.02.1944
Surname: Macleod
Forename(s): William
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Home Address: Bogbain, Tain
MISSING
Flying Officer William Macleod, RAF, posted missing, is a son of Mr and Mrs Macleod, Bogbain, Tain. A former pupil of Tain Royal Academy, Flying Officer Macleod completed a year’s course at Edinburgh University before joining up. Part of his training was done in Canada, and he had been on operations as navigator for a considerable time before his plane was reported missing some six weeks ago. Much sympathy is expressed to Mr and Mrs Macleod in their anxiety.
Gunner Charles Michael
Date of Paper: 14.05.1943
Surname: Michael
Forename(s): Charles
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Home Address: Polton, Lasswade, Midlothian, ex-Tain
No Headline
Gr. Charles Michael, R.A., killed in action, was the third son of Mr Alexander Michael, Tain, and was 27 years of age. He was married and leaves a widow and young daughter, who reside at Polton, Lasswade, Midlothian.
Private Alick Morrison
Date of Paper: 13.09.1940
Surname: Morrison
Forename(s): Alick
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
Home Address: Moor Farm, Tain
No Headline
Handwritten note: “Prisoner of War.”
Company Sergeant Major John R. Moyes
Date of Paper: 14.07.1944
Surname: Moyes
Forename(s): John R.
Rank: Company Sergeant Major
Regiment: Black Watch
Home Address: 1 Gower Place, Tain, ex-83 Joppa Road., Portobello
No Headline
C.S.M. John R. Moyes, Black Watch, was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs James Moyes, 83 Joppa Road, Portobello Road, and husband of Mrs Catherine M. Ferguson, 1 Gower Place, Tain.
Corporal George Munro
Date of Paper: 02.08.1940
Surname: Munro
Forename(s): George
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
Home Address: 10 Craighill Terrace, Tain
No Headline
Corpl. George Munro, The Seaforths, missing, is the son of Mrs James Mackintosh, 10 Craighill Terrace, Tain. A baker to trade, he was prior to the war employed by Alexander’s Bakery, Tain.
Handwritten notes: “Prisoner of War 11th October, 1940. Liberated 1st June, 1945.”
Private James Rankine
Date of Paper: 16.08.1940
Surname: Rankine
Forename(s): James
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
Home Address: 3 Hartfield Street, Tain
No Headline
Pte. James Rankine, The Seaforths, missing, is the son of Mrs James D. Rankine, 3 Hartfield Street, Tain, where his wife and child also reside. Prior to the war he was a grocer to trade.
Handwritten note: “Prisoner of War 27th Sept., 1940.”
Photo: #7967
Lieutenant Colonel William MacIver Ritchie
Date of Paper: 17.12.1943
Surname: Ritchie
Forename(s): William MacIver
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment: Royal Scots
Home Address: Ardlarch, Tain
DIED OF WOUNDS
Lt.-Col. William MacIver Ritchie, who has died of wounds in the Middle East, was the 27 year old only son of Colonel and Mrs MacIver Ritchie of Ardlarch, Tain. Entering the Army by way of Sandhurst about seven years ago, he was gazetted to the Royal Scots and served in India before the outbreak of war. His outstanding qualities led to rapid advancement in his profession, culminating with his promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in recent months, and his appointment to the Staff. Sympathy will be felt with his widow and son and with his parents and sisters in their great loss. Since coming to Tain about 20 years ago Colonel and Mrs Ritchie have identified themselves closely with many good causes.
Handwritten notes: “14th January, 1944 – Officially reported a Prisoner of War and fit and well. Liberated 1st June, 1945.”
