Dingwall WWI Page 7

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Photo: #6097

Macleod John, Sgt, Dingwall

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Sergeant John Macleod

Date of Paper: 06.09.1918
Surname: Macleod
First Name(s): John
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: 3 Blackwells St., Dingwall

Sergt. John Macleod, Seaforths, whose photograph appears today, is a son of Mrs Macleod, 3 Blackwells Street, Dingwall. He is an old Dingwall Territorial, who mobilised with the 4th Seaforths in August 1914, and has served with them since they went to France to form part of the First Seven Divisions. Thus he wears the ribbon of the Mons Star, the red chevron, and full group of blue chevrons. Sergt. Macleod has been attached to the transport column of his unit. Transport work is not all beer and skittles on the Western Front. It is never a cushy job; it is often perilous work; indeed men in the front line often feel that they have the pull over the transport men, especially when Jerry takes to shelling back areas. Sergt. Macleod (he was Corporal at the time) distinguished himself greatly on the 10th and 11th April last. That was just after the first battles of the German offensive. The battalion, it will be remembered – or rather the Division to which it belongs (a famous Division in Highland story) – had been shifted to rest, and “rest” turned out to involve a most important bit of work, and in course of that work Sergt. Macleod distinguished himself greatly. The Major-General commanding a famous Division thanked him personally, and subsequently he was awarded the Military Medal and promoted Sergt. in the field. Dingwall offers her congratulations to her gallant soldier son, who was well-known in peace times as a lorryman.

Photo: #6054

Macmahon James, Pte, Dingwall

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Private James Macmahon

Date of Paper: 01.06.1017
Surname: Macmahon
First Name(s): James
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Fusiliers
Home Address: George Street, Dingwall

A DINGWALL FAMILY'S SACRIFICE

Mr Macmahon, George Street, Dingwall, who has given three sons to the Army, as recently reported, has received information that one son has been killed and another wounded. Some time ago the other son was discharged after being wounded on several occasions. The son just killed was a fine set-up young fellow,

Pte. William Macmahon, aged 22 years. He joined the Ross Mountain Battery along with a group of friends from Dingwall, and after a period of training was transferred with others to the Northumberland Fusiliers (the Tyneside Irish). Married, his widow resides at 12 Nelson Street, Inverness.

The son who has just been wounded – he was alongside his brother when he was killed – is Pte. John Macmahon (19), who was serving in the same regiment as his brother.

The other son, who received his discharge, is Pte. James Macmahon, Royal Fusiliers. A son-in-law of Mr Macmahon was killed some time ago.


October 2008
James Ross MacMahon of British Columbia, Canada, a grandson of James MacMahon, has given additional information:

James MacMahon also served in the Navy, as a seaman on HMS Watchdog from 1.4.1918 to 20.8.1918 when the ship was minelaying in the North Sea and the coast of Belgium. He served on HMS Revenge in November 1918 and then on HMS Tiger from Christmas Day 1918 to 20 April 1919 on minesweeping and lifting duties. He rose to being First Mate. In subsequent years he emigrated to Canada.

John MacMahon, who survived WW1, also served in WW2 but unfortunately became a Prisoner of War.

Photo: #6059

Macmahon John, Pte, Dingwall

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Private John Macmahon

Date of Paper: 01.06.1017
Surname: Macmahon
First Name(s): John
Rank: Private
Regiment: Ross Mountain Battery
Home Address: George Street, Dingwall

A DINGWALL FAMILY'S SACRIFICE

Mr Macmahon, George Street, Dingwall, who has given three sons to the Army, as recently reported, has received information that one son has been killed and another wounded. Some time ago the other son was discharged after being wounded on several occasions. The son just killed was a fine set-up young fellow,

Pte. William Macmahon, aged 22 years. He joined the Ross Mountain Battery along with a group of friends from Dingwall, and after a period of training was transferred with others to the Northumberland Fusiliers (the Tyneside Irish). Married, his widow resides at 12 Nelson Street, Inverness.

The son who has just been wounded – he was alongside his brother when he was killed – is Pte. John Macmahon (19), who was serving in the same regiment as his brother.

The other son, who received his discharge, is Pte. James Macmahon, Royal Fusiliers. A son-in-law of Mr Macmahon was killed some time ago.


October 2008
James Ross MacMahon of British Columbia, Canada, a grandson of James MacMahon, has given additional information:

James MacMahon also served in the Navy, as a seaman on HMS Watchdog from 1.4.1918 to 20.8.1918 when the ship was minelaying in the North Sea and the coast of Belgium. He served on HMS Revenge in November 1918 and then on HMS Tiger from Christmas Day 1918 to 20 April 1919 on minesweeping and lifting duties. He rose to being First Mate. In subsequent years he emigrated to Canada.

John MacMahon, who survived WW1, also served in WW2 but unfortunately became a Prisoner of War.

Photo: #6077

Macmahon William, Pte, Dingwall

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Private William Macmahon

Date of Paper: 01.06.1017
Surname: Macmahon
First Name(s): William
Rank: Private
Regiment: Ross Mountain Battery
Home Address: 12, Nelson Street, Inverness (formerly George Street, Dingwall)

A DINGWALL FAMILY'S SACRIFICE

Mr Macmahon, George Street, Dingwall, who has given three sons to the Army, as recently reported, has received information that one son has been killed and another wounded. Some time ago the other son was discharged after being wounded on several occasions. The son just killed was a fine set-up young fellow,

Pte. William Macmahon, aged 22 years. He joined the Ross Mountain Battery along with a group of friends from Dingwall, and after a period of training was transferred with others to the Northumberland Fusiliers (the Tyneside Irish). Married, his widow resides at 12 Nelson Street, Inverness.

The son who has just been wounded – he was alongside his brother when he was killed – is Pte. John Macmahon (19), who was serving in the same regiment as his brother.

The other son, who received his discharge, is Pte. James Macmahon, Royal Fusiliers. A son-in-law of Mr Macmahon was killed some time ago.


October 2008
James Ross MacMahon of British Columbia, Canada, a grandson of James MacMahon, has given additional information:

James MacMahon also served in the Navy, as a seaman on HMS Watchdog from 1.4.1918 to 20.8.1918 when the ship was minelaying in the North Sea and the coast of Belgium. He served on HMS Revenge in November 1918 and then on HMS Tiger from Christmas Day 1918 to 20 April 1919 on minesweeping and lifting duties. He rose to being First Mate. In subsequent years he emigrated to Canada.

John MacMahon, who survived WW1, also served in WW2 but unfortunately became a Prisoner of War.

Photo: #6030

Macmillan A, Mechanic, Dingwall

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Mechanic A. Macmillan

Date of Paper: 10.01.1919
Surname: Macmillan
First Name(s): A.
Rank: Mechanic
Regiment: Not stated
Home Address: Temperance Cafe, Tulloch Street, Dingwall

THREE DINGWALL SOLDIERS - SAD ENDING TO A TIME OF HOPE

Photographs of the three soldier sons of Mr and Mrs W. Macmillan, Temperance Cafe, Dingwall, appear today. Mr and Mrs Macmillan have just been officially informed that one of the sons, S/31170 Pte. William George Macmillan, 5th Camerons, who was reported missing in the March offensive last year, died a prisoner of war in German hands in Le Cateau Hospital on 11th April, 1918, from gunshot wound in chest, and that he was buried in the Cemetery of Honour there by the enemy. The King has sent a message of sympathy to the family. It is some time ago since Mr Macmillan received through the Geneva Red Cross [remainder obliterated]

See entries below for details of his brothers Donald & William Macmillan

Photo: #6041

Macmillan Donald J, Pte, Dingwall

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Private Donald John Macmillan

Date of Paper: 25.02.1016
Surname: Macmillan
First Name(s): Donald John
Rank: Private
Regiment: British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
Home Address: Temperance Cafe, Tulloch Street, Dingwall

Private Donald John Macmillan, 1st H.M.B.F.A., who is with the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, is a son of Mr and Mrs Macmillan, Temperance Cafe, Dingwall. Born at Kildary, where his father was postman for many years, he is 21 years of age, and was an engineer in the Rose Street Foundry, Inverness, when war broke out. He enlisted immediately, and has been on active service even since. In a letter home Private Macmillan gives a lucid description of a rain storm which took place on Gallipoli, a few days before the evacuation. He writes: “It was a storm and a half. I don’t wish to pass through another of the same kind again. It began on a Friday night with a terrible gale of wind which was followed all night by thunder and lightning. The rain poured down so heavily that you could scarcely get breath. The night was as black as ink, and every flash of lightning was so brilliant that it lit the whole place up like day. I was down at the camp at the time, and was detailed to go with rations up to the lads in the dressing station in the trenches. First of all we got the rations up from the beach to the camp in a big cart drawn by four mules. By the time the cart arrived it was full of water with the rations floating about in it. There was a bag full of loaves at the bottom of the cart along with sugar and tea, and these had to be fished out. The loaves were like sponges, but we scraped all the wet stuff off, and got at the centre where there was a little dry heart which we were able to eat. We were very thankful to get that itself. It was out of the question to go to the trenches that night, so the journey was postponed till 5 a.m. the following morning. Going to the trenches we experienced a cold frosty wind, but the walk and our load kept us warm. We found the trenches full of water, and all the chaps belongings had been washed away. The men had slept in the open all night, and their blankets and clothes were soaking. It was a pitiable spectacle, and it was brutal what those boys suffered between the storm and the shelling of the Turks. When the rain had subsided, frost set in, with the result that many suffered from frost bite. Another storm of the same kind, I believe, would have washed us all off the Peninsula.

Date of Paper: 10.01.1919

THREE DINGWALL SOLDIERS - SAD ENDING TO A TIME OF HOPE

Photographs of the three soldier sons of Mr and Mrs W. Macmillan, Temperance Cafe, Dingwall, appear today. Mr and Mrs Macmillan have just been officially informed that one of the sons, S/31170 Pte. William George Macmillan, 5th Camerons, who was reported missing in the March offensive last year, died a prisoner of war in German hands in Le Cateau Hospital on 11th April, 1918, from gunshot wound in chest, and that he was buried in the Cemetery of Honour there by the enemy. The King has sent a message of sympathy to the family. It is some time ago since Mr Macmillan received through the Geneva Red Cross [remainder obliterated]

See entry above for details of his brother A. Macmillan and entry below for his brother William Macmillan

Photo: #6074

Macmillan W G, Pte, Dingwall

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Private William George Macmillan

Date of Paper: 10.01.1919
Surname: Macmillan
First Name(s): William George
Rank: Private
Regiment: 5th Camerons
Home Address: Temperance Cafe, Tulloch Street, Dingwall

THREE DINGWALL SOLDIERS - SAD ENDING TO A TIME OF HOPE

Photographs of the three soldier sons of Mr and Mrs W. Macmillan, Temperance Cafe, Dingwall, appear today. Mr and Mrs Macmillan have just been officially informed that one of the sons, S/31170 Pte. William George Macmillan, 5th Camerons, who was reported missing in the March offensive last year, died a prisoner of war in German hands in Le Cateau Hospital on 11th April, 1918, from gunshot wound in chest, and that he was buried in the Cemetery of Honour there by the enemy. The King has sent a message of sympathy to the family. It is some time ago since Mr Macmillan received through the Geneva Red Cross [remainder obliterated]

See entries above for details of his brothers Donald & A. Macmillan

Photo: #6029

Macmillan John, Lieut, Dingwall

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Lieutenant John Macmillan

Date of Paper: 10.03.1916
Surname: Macmillan
First Name(s): John
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: B (Dingwall Coy.) Seaforths
Home Address: Gordonville, Dingwall

Macmillan, Lieutenant John, B (Dingwall) Company, wounded 11th March 1915, died 15th March; buried British Cemetery Boulogne; aged 29. Son of Mr William Macmillan, merchant, and Mrs Macmillan, Gordonville, Dingwall. Educated at Dingwall Academy; joined 4th Seaforths in 1911.

Photo: #5997

Macpherson George W K, Capt, Dingwall

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Captain (Rev.) George W. K. Macpherson

Date of Paper: 26.11.1915
Surname: Macpherson
First Name(s): George W. K.
Rank: Captain (Rev.)
Regiment: D Company, Seaforth Highlanders
Home Address: Dingwall

No photograph available in Ross-shire Journal

Captain George W. K. Macpherson is one of our minister-officers. He was educated at the Academy, Dingwall, and the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.A. in 1912, and B.D. 1915. In the Arts Classes he held a good position, specially in the mathematical classes, and in his Divinity course he was one of the best students of his year, winning (besides some minor bursaries) the Hunter Bursary and the Hepburn Prize for an essay on Andrew Rutherford as well as the Scott Travelling Scholarship at the close of his courses. He had joined the Ross-shire Battery on its formation, but was transferred to the Edinburgh University O.T.C. on entering the University. He obtained a commission in the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Seaforths in February, but was speedily transferred to the 2/4th Battalion, being promoted Lieutenant in May. He has been in command of D Company since it was re-formed in Dingwall, and his rank as Captain dates from 1st September. Under the special regulations of the Church, Lieut. Macpherson was licensed as a preacher of the Gospel by the Presbytery of Dingwall in May, this being an all but unique instance of license being conferred on an officer in the uniform of a Highland regiment. Captain Macpherson took some part at the University in the work of the Athletic Club, gaining the medal for hammer throwing in the contests of 1912.

Photo: #5996

Macpherson John C, Capt Dr, Canada Ex Dingwall

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Captain John C. Macpherson

Date of Paper: 26.11.1915
Surname: Macpherson
First Name(s): John C.
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 2nd Division, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force
Home Address: Calgary, Canada (formerly Dingwall)

Captain John C. Macpherson, 31st (Alberta) Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, studied at Dingwall Academy, and then entered the service of the Bank of Scotland in Dingwall, from which at the close of his apprenticeship he joined the staff of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He has been stationed chiefly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, latterly acting as sub-accountant in the large office at Calgary. At home he had been a member of the 4th Seaforths, and some years ago he took a commission in the Canadian Militia. He joined the 2nd Division of the C.O.E.F. on its enrolment, and came over with it in spring, being promoted Captain at once. He went with his battalion to the front in September.

Photo: #6000

Macpherson John C, Capt, Canada Ex Dingwall

Photo: #5986

Macpherson Robert D M, 2 Lieut Dr, Dingwall

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Second-Lieut. Robert D. M. Macpherson

Date of Paper: 26.11.1915
Surname: Macpherson
First Name(s): Robert D. M.
Rank: Second Lieutenant (Dr.)
Regiment: R.A.M.C. / 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Home Address: The Manse, Dingwall

Second-Lieut. Robert D. M. Macpherson, 7th Seaforth Highlanders, after the usual course of study at Dingwall Academy, and one year in the Arts Classes at University of Edinburgh, began his medical course at that University, where he graduated M.B. and Ch.B. in 1911. He entered on medical practice in Manchester, and on the outbreak of the war took a commission in the R.A.M.C., proceeding to the front with the first hospital to leave our country, and being stationed for some time at Havre. After three months as lieutenant R.A.M.C., he resigned his commission to join the combatant forces, and at Christmas was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th (Kitchener) Service Battalion of the Seaforths. When that battalion went to the front in May, he was prevented by a slight accident from accompanying it, and he was attached for a time to the 10th Battalion at Tain, having charge latterly of the officers’ classes in the camp there. In the end of August he joined his regiment in France. At the battle of Loos he was slightly gassed and wounded at the beginning of the engagement, and it is understood that he treated the wound himself at a dressing station and returned to the firing line, only to be wounded a second time. But since that time no information can be obtained as to him. The War Office reported him ten days later as “wounded” and last week reported him as “wounded and missing”.

Dr. Macpherson was an enthusiastic member of the Edinburgh University Athletic Club, distinguishing himself specially in hammer and stone throwing. In the former he obtained the gold medal in the first Inter-Territorial athletic contest. Some years ago he gained the “Record” in the Scottish Inter-University Sports, and afterwards beat his own record by some ten feet. He served for a time in the old Ross-shire Volunteers (4th Seaforths), and afterwards was connected with the Royal Scots, Canadian Militia, and Edinburgh University.

Photo: #6044

Macrae Donald, Pte, Glasgow connections to Dingwall

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Private Donald Macrae

DINGWALL – photo def in Dingwall
Paper: 07.02.1919
Surname: Macrae
First Name(s): Donald
Rank: Private
Regiment: 11th Scottish Rifles
Home Address: 64, Gloucester Street, S.S., Glasgow

A BRAVE SON OF SKYE

We reproduce above the photograph of Private Donald Macrae, 11th Scottish Rifles, who was killed on 19th October 1918. A native of Skye, he was the son of Mr John Macrae, tailor, Tote, Snizort, and a nephew of the late Mr Donald Mackintosh, Raasay, while a sister of the deceased is Mrs Sinclair, Warden Street, Dingwall. Prior to enlisting in 1916 deceased was employed in the warehouse of Messrs P. & W. Lowrie, bonders, Washington Street, Glasgow. He saw service in Salonica before going to the Western Front.

Deceased was a well-known Gaelic Bard, and several of his songs were the admiration of his fellow Highlanders. Many of his songs have already been reproduced, and it is hoped that these compositions will some day be issued in permanent form. Mr Macrae in Glasgow was the promoted of the Ceilidh, which was successfully held every Saturday in the Shepherd’s Hall, Bath Street. These functions were always well patronised by Highlanders.

Much sympathy is felt for deceased’s widow, who is a native of Carrabost, Skye, and who resides at 64, Gloucester Street, S.S., Glasgow, and her three young daughters.

Photo: #5987

Macwilliam Frank, 2 Lieut, Dingwall

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Second Lieutenant Frank Macwilliam

Date of Paper: 12.07.1918
Surname: Macwilliam
First Name(s): Frank
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Border Regiment
Home Address: Drynie Court, Dingwall

A photograph is reproduced to-day of 2/Lieut. Frank Macwilliam, son of Mr and Mrs Macwilliam, Drynie Court, Dingwall, who, as formerly reported, was killed in action in France on Sunday, 2nd June, 1918. Lt. Macwilliam was a Dingwallian in all but birth. His father and mother came to Dingwall from the East country when their children were young, and Frank grew up to manhood in intimate association with Dingwall and its surroundings, and on terms of intimate friendship with many Dingwall people. A student at the Dingwall Academy, he had a successful scholastic career. He was a good student, and, sociable and agreeable, he counted among his friends quite a host of young people of his age, not a few of whom, as he has now done, have made the supreme sacrifice on the field of battle fighting for a freedom the highest sense of which was surely inculcated whether at home or in the walls of the old Academy. After leaving school, Lt. Macwilliam became a law clerk with Mr Alexander Ross, solicitor, and when war broke out was on the eve of deciding whether he was to follow law as a profession or seek a commercial pursuit.

A member of B Company, 4th Seaforths, he mobilised at the outbreak of war in those anxious and exciting days when so few apprehended the intensity or the duration of the colossal struggle still pursued with unrelenting fierceness. He went to Bedford with the battalion, and crossed to France in November of 1914, for which he held the 1914 Star, the 4th Seaforths being one of the few Territorial battalions to be honoured by a place in the Order of Battle of the First Seven Divisions covering the period of the brilliant strategic retirement from Mons to Marne. Subsequently, having attained the rank of sergeant [obliterated] temporarily invalided, he shared in the work of his battalion, wintering in the trenches, holding the line, and taking part in various battles and engagements. He was twice in the casualty list, on each occasion being slightly wounded. In the autumn of 1917 he was named for a commission, and, coming home, went successfully through his cadet course. His own aspirations would have been realised had he been gazetted to the Seaforths, but duty called him to the Border Regiment, with which he served throughout as an officer. His war experiences were an invaluable asset in his new battalion, and proud as his people may well be in the striking tribute paid to him by the Captain of his company, Seaforths who knew Frank Macwilliam, and those who knew him best in Dingwall, will acquiesce fully in what has been said.
Captain A. Dunstan Adams, in a letter to Mr and Mrs Macwilliam, says: “I was your son’s company commander when he was killed. I want to ask you to accept my very deepest sympathy with you in your sad bereavement. At times like these one feels so hopelessly inadequate in expressing oneself. I cannot understand the immensity of you loss. I can only ask you to read the very deepest meaning into my poor phrases. We, your son and I, were very great friends, and when he went, I felt it more than any man’s death since the first time I came to France. As an officer I have never had a more thorough man under me, and as a man he was the best. I always think that a good index to a man’s character is the opinion of the men under him, and in the case of your son the men expressed their feelings very freely to me. They respected him as a very brave soldier, and loved him as a tactful human leader. He was a host to me in the line. On the morning he was killed we were being bombarded pretty heavily by the enemy, and I was in line with your boy. About 3.30 a. m. the shelling died down and he said he thought things would remain quiet, so I went to my headquarters to write my morning reports. A few minutes later a man came and told me that he, your son, had been wounded. I went to him immediately, but he had gone. A trench-mortar shell had fallen in the trench next to him, and he must have been killed instantaneously, as his back was broken by the explosion, and a piece had entered his head. I had him carried out of the line, and he is buried in a little military cemetery.”
Mr and Mrs Macwilliam have had many kindly messages of sympathy, including a telegram from the King, but there are many others who will silently think of them in their sorrow and who will besides long recall their tall, handsome soldier son, whose death, at the early age of 26 years, they worthily mourn.

Mr and Mrs Macwilliam’s youngest son came of military age on the day his brother was killed, and is now in a graduate Gordon battalion; the second son, Gr. Allan Macwilliam, R.G.A., served in Gallipoli and Egypt; the eldest daughter is a nursing sister in a war hospital in Glasgow.

Page updated on 30 August 2023

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