Dingwall WWI Page 9
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Private Isaac Reid
Date of Paper: 05.04.1917
Surname: Reid
First Name(s): Isaac
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Grant Street, Dingwall
THE LATE PTE. ISAAC REID, DINGWALL
Confirmation has now been received of the death of 26469 Pte. Isaac Reid, Seaforths, who was killed in action on 9th April. Pte Reid has been with the Seaforths for two and a half years, and was wounded about a year ago, returning to the Western Front about six months ago. Deceased, who was about 33 years, was a horse dealer and hawker in the Dingwall and Alness district, to which latter place he belonged. He was a fine set up fellow, and a good type of soldier.
Married, he is survived by a wife and three children who reside in Grant Street, Dingwall, and for whom much sympathy is felt. 2/Lt. Stuart writing to Mrs Reid says: “Your husband died doing his duty gallantly, and his loss is greatly felt by his comrades. You have my own deepest sympathy”.
Deceased’s mother lives in Wick
Sergeant William J. Robertson
Date of Paper: 22.09.1916
Surname: Robertson
First Name(s): William J.
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Cameron Highlanders
Home Address: Glasgow (formerly Bridaig, Dingwall)
DINGWALL MAN GAINS MILITARY MEDAL:
SERGT. W. J. ROBERTSON, CAMERONS
S/11839 Acting Sergt. William J. Robertson, Cameron Highlanders, whose portrait is reproduced today, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Sergt. Robertson is a Dingwall boy. Twenty-five years of age, like many Dingwall contemporaries of his age, he joined soon after the outbreak of war, entering Lochiel’s Camerons. He has seen much fighting, from Loos onwards, till some weeks ago he was hit in the thight, and at the moment he is lying wounded in a London hospital. A son of the late Mr John Robertson, gardener, and Mrs Robertson, Bridaig, Dingwall, in civil life he was engaged in a textile industrial occupation near Glasgow. As a boy Willie Robertson was well known among his schoolboy friends, and later, before going south, was a hard worker and a diligent helper to his father. He has grown into a fine specimen of manhood, and military training and discipline have served to accentuate his fine qualities. Dingwall is proud of her sons, and amongst those destined to be long prominent on her large roll of honour is Sergeant William Robertson, who has just won this high mark of Royal recognition for bravery in the field. A cordial welcome awaits him on his return.
Sergeant Arthur Rogers
Date of Paper: 19.11.1915
Surname: Rogers
First Name(s): Arthur
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Stafford Place, Dingwall
2303 Sergeant Arthur Rogers, G (Alness) Coy., whose portrait is reproduced above, is getting slowly better in No. 10 Hospital Boulogne. Sergt. Rogers was wounded by a sniper on the 23rd ult. In a letter home, written to his dictation by the Rev. H. Wilson, chaplain, Sergt. Rogers says he is getting on slowly, but he has had a lot of pain during the last few days. He asks to be kindly remembered to everyone. A subsequent postcard intimates that he had a visit from Sergt. Alick Macdonald and Sergt. Don Macgillivray, who are convalescent at Boulogne. It was quite a pleasant surprise, as he had no idea they were in the same town as himself.
Sergt. Rogers who was a popular member of the Evanton section of the Alness Coy., is a son of Mr Rogers, Stafford Place, Dingwall. Previous to the war he was on the staff of the Novar Post Office, and was prominent member of the Black Rock Football Club, with whom he played for two seasons.
Gunner A. Ross
Date of Paper: 13.07.1917
Surname: Ross
First Name(s): A.
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Not stated
Home Address: Polmont (formerly Dochcarty Cottage, Dingwall)
TWO DOCHCARTY SOLDIERS
There is reproduced to-day photographs of two soldier sons of Ross-shire who belong to Dochcarty, and whose mother, a widow, Mrs Ross, resides at Polmont. The grandfather, Mr Donald Ross, resides at the old home at Dochcarty Cottage, Dingwall.
365977 Gunner A. Ross, the younger son, is 21 years of age, and is serving with one of the siege batteries which are making history. He has been 12 months on the Western Front, has shared in much fighting, but has so far escaped without so much as a scratch.
He joined up two years ago, before which he served his apprenticeship with Mr. D. G. Munro, merchant, Conon.
1980 Private Wm. Ross, the elder son, is 27 years of age, and before the war was employed as a ploughman at Achnagairn. He joined up at mobilisation, enlisting in the Ross-shire Seaforths. He was gassed but made a wonderful recovery. Both sons are excellent soldiers.
Private William Ross
Date of Paper: 13.07.1917
Surname: Ross
First Name(s): William
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Polmont (formerly Dochcarty Cottage, Dingwall)
TWO DOCHCARTY SOLDIERS
There is reproduced to-day photographs of two soldier sons of Ross-shire who belong to Dochcarty, and whose mother, a widow, Mrs Ross, resides at Polmont. The grandfather, Mr Donald Ross, resides at the old home at Dochcarty Cottage, Dingwall.
365977 Gunner A. Ross, the younger son, is 21 years of age, and is serving with one of the siege batteries which are making history. He has been 12 months on the Western Front, has shared in much fighting, but has so far escaped without so much as a scratch.
He joined up two years ago, before which he served his apprenticeship with Mr. D. G. Munro, merchant, Conon.
1980 Private Wm. Ross, the elder son, is 27 years of age, and before the war was employed as a ploughman at Achnagairn. He joined up at mobilisation, enlisting in the Ross-shire Seaforths. He was gassed but made a wonderful recovery. Both sons are excellent soldiers.
Photo: #6008
Driver Alistair Ross
Date of Paper: 10.08.1917
Surname: Ross
First Name(s): Alistair
Rank: Driver
Regiment: Army Service Corps
Home Address: Dochcarty, Dingwall
DRIVER ALISTAIR ROSS, DINGWALL
Mr and Mrs Ross, Dochcarty, Dingwall, have now received a letter from their son, recently reported suffering from malaria in German East Africa, that he has fully recovered, and is again “up the line.” Driver Alistair Ross is serving with the motor transport branch of the Army Service Corps, and has been in German East Africa for the last two years taking a part in the big drive. In a letter home, he speaks of first-class conditions while in hospital. A brother of Mr and Mrs William Ross, Bridgend Dairy, he is well-remembered in Dingwall, where he was obliging and popular.
A photograph of Driver Ross appears to-day.
M.S.M. FOR DINGWALL SOLDIER
Date of Paper: 14.02.1919
Corporal Alistair Ross, M.T., A.S.C., Bridgend, Dingwall, who arrived home last week on furlough, as we stated in our last issue, has now been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Corporal Ross is a son of Mr and Mrs D. Ross, Dochcarty, Dingwall, and will be well remembered in the district as assisting his brother, Mr William Ross, at both Bridgend and Dochcarty. He joined up in 1915, and, passing as a motor driver, was immediately dispatched to East Africa, since which time he has been engaged in the active campaign in Portugese East Africa. His many friends will be very pleased to hear of the honour that has been conferred on him.
Handwritten note: “Accidentally killed in motor cycle accident at Fodderty 20th July 1923.”
Private Colin Ross
Date of Paper: 07.12.1917
Surname: Ross
First Name(s): Colin
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Brae, By Dingwall.
Pte. Colin Ross, Seaforths, son of Mrs Ross, dairy worker, Brae, by Dingwall, and formerly of Newton, Novar, has been three times wounded, and recently made his fourth trip to the Western Front. This young soldier (whose photograph appears to-day) is 23 years of age, He joined up at the beginning of the war, and has been two years on active service. He has served throughout with a pioneer battalion, the work of which is invariably more perilous than duty in the front line trenches. A fine manly fellow, his letters home of a cheery character.
Before joining up Pte. Ross was a gardener at Ardross. His father died some time ago. He was a mason with Mr Andrew Carnegie at Skibo Castle, Dornoch.
Second Lieutenant James A. Ross
Date of Paper: 18.08.1916
Surname: Ross
First Name(s): James A.
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: East Wemyss, Fife
ROSS-SHIRE SEAFORTH OFFICER KILLED
Second Lieutenant James A. Ross, recently reported killed in action, although a Fifeshire man, is well known in Dingwall, for he resided here for a few months, and was an officer of the Seaforths noted for his sturdy apearance and his excellent command of men in training. A native of East Wemyss, where his father, deceased, was headmaster of the Public School, he was a brother of Mr W. N. Ross, customs and excise, Edderton. Himself of the teaching profession, Lieut. Ross, in civil life, was second master in New Kilpatrick Higher Grade School, Bearsden, Glasgow, and a graduate of Edinburgh. The war found him willing for any patriotic opening. He joined the H.L.I. as a private in October 1914. Early in 1915 he received a commission in the Seaforths, and joined his new battalion at Dingwall. His photograph, published today, will bring him more clearly to the memory of Ross-shire people. As an officer, he was all that a leader of men should be. At home he was patient, kindly, but persistent. He held the respect, even the love of his men, he took the best out of them. In battle he was their leader in every sense of the word. The Colonel of the battalion, writing to his widow, says: “He was killed on the night of the 25th July whilst gallantly leading a forlorn [obliterated] German trenches.”
Photo: #6027
Lieutenant J. Rognvold Shennan
Date of paper: 02.03.1917
Surname: Shennan
First Name(s): J. Rognvold
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Home Address: Angus Lodge, Hamilton
DINGWALL ACADEMY BOY WINS MILITARY CROSS
LIEUT. J. SHENNAN, R.E.
As recently reported, Lieut. J. Rognvold Shennan, R.E., eldest son of Sheriff and Mrs Hay Shennan, Angus Lodge, Hamilton, and formerly of Dingwall, has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery in the field.
A portrait of Lieut. Shennan appears in to-day’s paper. Born in Lerwick in 1892, where his father was Sheriff-Substitute, his first school was Dingwall Academy, which he entered in 1900. In 1902, he went to Altonburn, Nairn, and in 1906 to Fettes College, Edinburgh. He entered Edinburgh University in 1910, and after a distinguished course graduated B.Sc in 1913. On leaving the University be joined the staff of Messrs Easton, Gibb & Sons Ltd., at Rosyth. Two months after the outbreak of war, although meantime engaged on work of high national importance, he resolved that his services would be more useful to his country in the Army, and he obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in October 1914. He went to France in September, 1915, and to Salonica in December of the same year. He has remained there throughout, except a period when he was invalided with wounds.
His younger brother, who was born in Dingwall, is doing credit to the place of his birth; he took the First Open Scholarship at Fettes College last year.
As was said on a former occasion, Ross-shire retains nothing but the kindliest recollections of the Shennan family, and hearty congratulations and good wishes will go out to this young officer who has earned high honour in a profession which he entered by the oath of patriotic fervour.
Gunner John Alexander Shaw
Date of paper: 30.05.1919
Surname: Shaw
First Name(s): John Alexander
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: R.G.A.
Home Address: Broadford, Skye
Gunner John Alexander Shaw, R.G.A.,whose photograph is reproduced, is a son of Mr W. Shaw and Mrs Shaw, Broadford, Skye, and late of the Royal Hotel, Dingwall. Although born in Edinburgh, he spent most of his days in Dingwall, and was educated at the local Academy. He went in for engineering and was with Mr Grant, C.E., Inverness, when war broke out. He enlisted in the R.G.A., and became an exceptionally clever gunner. His first battlefield was in Italy, where he was with the Expeditionary Force, and for his work there he was awarded an Italian decoration. Subsequently he was transferred to the East, and took a prominent part against the Bulgarians there. Recently he was awarded the Military Medal. He is still in the East, but hopes to get home this summer.
Sergeant D. Sutherland
Date of Paper: 24.03.1916
Surname: Sutherland
First Name(s): D.
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: 1/4th Seaforths
Home Address: Lochiel Place, Dingwall
Another of the heroes of the 1/4th Seaforths who fell in the memorable battle of Neuve Chapelle was Sergt. D. Sutherland [obliterated] (Dingwall) Coy. Previous to mobilising, the deceased resided with his wife at Lochiel Place, Dingwall. He joined the 4th Seaforths at the outbreak of war, and went out to France with the battalion in November 1914. He fell on 11th March 1915, in the first charge that the 1/4th Seaforths took part in.
His portrait is reproduced above.
Private Hugh Sutherland
Date of Paper: 15.06.1917
Surname: Sutherland
First Name(s): Hugh
Rank: Private
Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers
Home Address: The Meadows, Dornoch
THE LATE HUGH SUTHERLAND, N.F., DINGWALL
Private Hugh Sutherland, Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish), killed in action in April, was a son of Mrs Sutherland, The Meadows, Dornoch. About 24 years of age, he was a grocer to trade, and was employed as foreman with Mr Hugh Ross, merchant, Dingwall. He enlisted in the Ross Mountain Battery in October 1915, and was subsequently transferred to the Tyneside Irish with many others of the R.M.B. A keen athlete, he was a well known footballer, and was one of the stalwarts of the Dingwall Shopboys Club. A photograph appears today.
Photo: #6020
Gunner William Tolmie
Date of Paper: 25.02.1916
Surname: Tolmie
First Name(s): William
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: 1st Battery Mountain Guns, Central African Contingent
Home Address: Natal, South Africa (formerly Craig Road, Dingwall)
Gunner William Tolmie, of the 1st Battery Mountain Guns, Central African Contingent, Nyasaland, is a son of Mr William Tolmie, plumber-contractor, Dingwall, and Mrs Tolmie, Craig Road, Dingwall. He was educated at Dingwall Academy, and was for some time employed by W. R. T. Middleton, solicitor, Dingwall. About five years ago he went to South Africa. When the rebellion took place shortly after war broke out, Mr Tolmie volunteered for service and was right through the South-West African campaign. Immediately he returned to Natal he again volunteered for service, and is now in Central Africa taking part in the operations as a result of which it is hoped to expel the German from the African continent. In a cheerful letter home, Gunner Tolmie gives a lucid account of his experiences in Nyasaland. He writes: “I like this country very much. I am at present stationed in a little village called Limbe, and it is a beatiful little place. We left Cape Town on the 22nd November, and we had a good voyage up to Beira, where we transhipped to a steam tug. She took us up as far as Chinde, where we had to again tranship to a still smaller boat. That boat took us the remainder of our journey by water up the Zambesi to Chindio, where we took train to Limbe. From Chinde all the way up the river was Portuguese territory, and as we could not travel by night owing to the difficulty of navigation we had an opportunity of going ashore at the few places there are. They are all very small, being mostly sugar factories. The first place we came to was Marrowmen. We arrived there in the afternoon, and were shown over the sugar factory. All the engineers, etc, were Glasgow men, and I spent the evening with them. One of them knew Cambuslang well. Next we came to Mopea. This is a very pretty little place. The factory is about four miles from the river, but the people knew we were coming, and sent a little train for us. They were good to us, and gave us a fine time. The following day brought us to Villa Fontes, but we only stayed there a couple of hours. We arrived at Chindio the next day, and were all quite sorry leaving the boat. We had lots of shooting at crocodiles and hippos, but as our ammunition was unsuitable for such game, our bag consisted of only one crocodile. We stayed at Chindio two days off-loading and entraining guns, equipment, stores, etc. It is a very quiet place, with nothing of any interrest. The train journey was not very comfortable owing to the heat, but the people all along the line were very good to us. It was only a twelve hours run, and we travelled by the Shire Highland Railway. We crossed the Portuguese border outside Port Herald, and entered British Central Africa. At San [remainder missing].
Private A. Treasurer
Date of Paper: 09.11.1917
Surname: Treasurer
First Name(s): A.
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Camisky Place, Dingwall
No article in newspaper
Private Donald Reid Urquhart
Date of Paper: 11.01.1918
Surname: Urquhart
First Name(s): Donald Reid
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Hillside Cottage, Wick (formerly Dingwall)
Pte. Donald Reid Urquhart, Seaforths (T.F.), son of Mr Alexander Urquhart, Dingwall, and late of Meikle Findon, was killed in action on November 20. Shot through the head, death was instantaneous. The only son and child of Mr Urquhart, he was 36 years of age, and married. His widow resides at Hillside Cottage, Wick. A gardener to trade, he was employed at The Castle, Dingwall, at Belladrum, Beauly, and latterly in Dumbartonshire. He joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers but transferred to the Seaforths (Morayshires). Well known in Dingwall, he was a frank, affable, kindly young man, and his death is much regretted by his comrades and by many friends.
To his father and widow goes out the deepest sympathy. A photograph appears today.
Sergeant John R. Urquhart
Date of Paper: 25.01.1918
Surname: Urquhart
First Name(s): John R.
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Home Address: 62, Watson Street, Aberdeen
As briefly announced already, Sergt. John R. Urquhart, R.A.M.C., whose photograph appears today, has been awarded an Italian Decoration for service during the great retreat in which his unit earned great distinction. Sergeant Urquhart, whose wife resides at 62 Watson Street, Aberdeen, is a son of ex Master Gunner Urquhart, R.A., a vetaran who has inspired many a Dingwall boy to deeds of aspiration. Sergt. Urquhart joined up early in the war, and has been on the Italian front for a considerable period. The ambulance had a very trying time. The hospital in which he was engaged was shelled by the enemy, and the patients were evacuated with the greatest difficulty, while everything had to be left behind. The retreat was a terrible ordeal. Provisions and supplies were generally not available, and for three days there was practically nothing to eat, but the ceaseless march went on unbroken. The weather, it will be recalled, was bad. Rain fell in torrents. Everybody and everything was soaked, without the hope of any change of clothes or of drying clothes. Sergeant Urquhart was in charge of the cooking, a duty which he still performs under hard conditions, for winter has fallen heavily, and cooking is done in the open. Sgt Urquhart is well remembered in Dingwall, where he was in business as a jeweller. His many friends will offer heartiest congratulations.
Photo: #6083
Sapper William Wassell
Date of Paper: 11.05.1917
Surname: Wassell
First Name(s): William
Rank: Sapper
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Home Address: Bridaig, Dingwall
THE LATE SAPPER WILLIAM WASSELL, DINGWALL
There is reproduced to-day a photograph of this fine young soldier, who, as reported last week, was killed in action on 19th April, somewhere in the East, while serving as a telegraphist in the Royal Engineers, with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Sapper Wassell was one of four sons of Mr O. T. Wassell, superintendent, Prudential Assurance Company, Bridaig, Dingwall. A Dingwall Academy boy, he will be well remembered by many of his old class fellows, among whom he was well respected. On leaving school he passed his examinations for the Post Office, and proceeded to Thurso, from whence he was transferred to Nairn. It was at Nairn he joined up, entering the Royal Engineers, a branch of the Army for which his training and technical knowledge fitted him peculiarly well. A telegraphist in the R.E. may, as a separate unit of the Army, be drafted anywhere, and it was somewhat remarkable that Sapper Wassell’s destination should by a mere coincidence have landed in the Sinai Desert, and at El-Kintara near by a unit of Ross-shire origin, and not only so, but alongside a group of his former associates in Dingwall Academy, including, strangely enough, his particular school chum. It was a happy meeting that, and it was a regretful parting when his unit was transferred to other scenes. To that group, now in another field of war, the news of Sapper Wassell’s death will be specially sad news. A fine type of war-made soldier, imbued with a quiet determination to do his bit worthily, Sapper Wassell is another example of the great and willing sacrifices which our sons have made on the altar of freedom and free peoples. Twenty-one years of age, his death will be regretted greatly, and sympathy in full measure goes out to his father and the other members of the family An older brother [obliterated].
Photo: #6073
Private Thomas Williamson
Date of Paper: 18.05.1917
Surname: Williamson
First Name(s): Thomas
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Warden Street, Dingwall
THE LATE PTE. THOS. WILLIAMSON, SEAFORTHS
There is reproduced today a photograph of Pte. Thomas Williamson, Seaforths, who was killed in action at the memorable battle of Aubers Ridge or Festubert on 9th May, 1915, in which the county regiment played a part so conspicuous and suffered so sad losses. Pte. Williamson, who was 19 years of age, was a native of Tain. His widow and child reside in Warden Street, Dingwall, while his parents reside at Moss Road, Tain. Pte. Williamson was in the Territorials from the time he was sixteen, and mobilised with the battalion, going overseas in November, 1914, and taking part in the battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. He was a bright, well-set up young fellow much liked by his comrades in the ranks.
