Garve WW I
Back to top of page
Attribution: Image by Bruce Mewett from Pixabay
You are welcome to comment on these pictures
Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society welcome further information and comments about any person or photos on our website. Adding a comment means that you accept our Privacy Policy.
Table of Contents for this page
Lieutenant G. M. Bruce
Date of Paper: 07.03.1919
Surname: Bruce
First Name(s): G. M.
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Home Address: Lochluichart
THE LATE LIEUT. G. M. BRUCE, LOCHLUICHART
The late Lieut. G. M. Bruce, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, elder son of Rev. George Bruce, Lochluichart, was born at Sabathu, Punjab, on 18th November, 1897. He was educated at George Watsonís College, Edinburgh, and was for three years a cadet in the school battalion of the O.T.C. He was still a schoolboy of 16 when war broke out, and when he reached his 17th birthday he applied for a commission in a Highland regiment. In March, 1915, he was appointed second-lieutenant in the 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (SR of O), and sent to Withno. Having obtained first-class certificates in the Musketry and Hotchkiss Gun courses, he was sent to France in September, 1916, attached to the 1st Camerons, with whom he took part in the battle of the Somme. In July, 1917, he was promoted lieutenant, and the same year he rejoined his own regiment, the 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and was appointed bombing instructor at Rouen. Early in 1918, he was given six months home duty and was sent to Ireland, but was recalled to France after three months. Meantime the 11th A.&.S.H. had been amalgamated with the 8th Battalion owing to casualties. He was in the 8th Battalion when he volunteered for the New Army of Occupation, but succumbed to influenza and pneumonia on 17th February, aged 21. The photograph reproduced above was taken at Rouen in 1917.
Lance Corporal Angus Finlayson
Date of Paper: 25.08.1916
Surname: Finlayson
First Name(s): Angus
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Royal Scots
Home Address: Railway Cottages, Achnasheen.
ACHNASHEEN ROYAL SCOT KILLED
To-day we reproduce a portrait of Lance-Corp. Angus Finlayson, killed in action, the son of Mr and Mrs Finlayson, Railway Cottages, Achnasheen, a family resident in the district since the early days of the Dingwall and Skye railway. Twenty-eight years of age, Angus was the youngest son of the family. Three others are in Government service.
The oldest son came home from the Argentine, where he had been for two years on the railway, and is now on transport work on the Western front. “Lochbroom” was well known on the Highland system as a fearless and capable driver. In a letter written by Angus three days before he fell he said his battalion had been in the thick of the battle for ten days, and at the moment were resting.
Before joining up Private Angus Finlayson held a responsible appointment at Murthly. Previously he had been a porter at various stations on the Highland railway.
Deep sympathy is felt with his family.
Sergeant Hossack
Paper: 01.12.1916
Surname: Hossack
First Name(s): no entry
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Garve
M.M. FOR GARVE SEAFORTH
Sergeant Hossack, Seaforths, who has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield, is a native of Croy. About 12 years ago he came to Garve, where his wife and family reside, and was employed as estate carpenter to Major Stirling of Strathgarve. Shortly after the outbreak of the present war he volunteered for active service, and enlisted in the Seaforths at Fort George, from whence he was transferred to Aldershot. Sergeant Hossack’s good soldiering qualities were soon marked by his officers, and he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant. After six months training in England he proceeded to France, and along with his regiment took part in many of the heavy engagements on the Western front, where he was recommended for bravery on the battlefield. Both as a soldier and civilian Sergeant Hossack is of a genial and highly obliging disposition, and the honour awarded to him gives the greatest satisfaction to his many friends in the district. A photograph appears in this week’s paper.
Lance Corporal Angus Mackenzie
Date of Paper: 14.06.1916
Surname: Mackenzie
First Name(s): Angus
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Royal Scots
Home Address: Police Station, Garve
GARVE SOLDIER PRISONER OF WAR
Mr and Mrs Mackenzie, Police Station, Garve, were relieved of their anxiety by receiving the other day a post card from their son, L/Cpl. Angus Mackenzie, Royal Scots, stating that he is a prisoner of war in Limburg, Germany, and quite well. He had been unofficially reported missing. L/Cpl. Mackenzie, who is only 19 years of age, joined the colours last year when the lads of 18 were called up. He was sent to a training reserve battalion under the HLI and shortly afterwards was promoted. After undergoing a year’s training, L/Cpl. Mackenzie was sent in a draft to France in February last, where he was transferred into the Royal Scots. He fought at the first great offensive launched by the Germans on the 21st of March, and was still fighting until captured on 11th April. In his earlier days, L/Cpl. Mackenzie joined the Boy Scouts, acting as patrol leader of the Evanton Coy., under Major Ferguson of Assynt, Novar.
He began life as an assistant in the late Mr Wight’s shop, Evanton, and thereafter, before joining up, was an assistant with Messrs. W & R Mackenzie, merchants, Garve. He was very popular in both these places, where he had many friends who, while sorry to hear of him being a prisoner of war, will be glad that he is so far safe.
A photograph appears today.
Photo: #6209
Private Hugh Mackenzie
Date of Paper: 26.01.1917
Surname: Mackenzie
First Name(s): Hugh
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Strathrannoch, Garve
THE LATE PTE. HUGH MACKENZIE, SEAFORTHS
Further details about the late Pte. Hugh Mackenzie, Seaforths, have now come to hand. From letters sent from “somewhere in France” to his sister at Strathrannoch, Garve, a true insight is found of the character of the man. In one letter he says, “the country is not so nice as home”. In another, “This is very pretty country, something like home.” About the weather, “We have had very wet weather here, but the last two days were beautiful, just like the nice days at Strathrannoch.” With the true spirit of the patriot and the soldier he writes, “We live in camp and I am quite comfortable, and we get good food along with plenty of hard work, but nothing to grumble at.” Cheerfully as he faced the rigour of training so he faced the supreme trial of the trenches. Ever his thoughts were of home, and friends, and duty. Then the last long silence falls.
The chaplain to the regiment, the Rev. A. Boyd Scott, B.D., Lansdowne Church, Glasgow, writing to Miss Mackenzie, says, “I write to you as the next-of-kin of 6472 Pte. H. Mackenzie, to express to you the deep and heartfelt sympathy we all feel towards you in the sore bereavement you have suffered in his death. As you will have heard ere this, he was killed while with a working party of the battalion in the line on 16th December. As they were coming down from their work there in the dark, a shell fell and killed 7, besides wounding 6 others, one fatally. He himself was killed outright. We can ill afford to lose so brave and devoted a soldier as he, and we mourn his departure from our ranks and companionship. But to you the loss must be very, very heavy. May God comfort and strengthen you is the fervent prayer of my heart. Wait thou upon God in faith and hope – says the voice of God: ‘they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength’. We shall all meet again ‘in the morning’ to know and love one another with a knowledge and love of which the dearest family life in earth is but a faint emblem. His personal effects will be sent to you in due course by the army. On December 20th I buried his body in a well-defined soldiers’ cemetery. When the military situation permits, I shall send you word of its location.”
The letter is evidence of the tender care shown towards the memory of the brave men who have fallen for the sake of home and of humanity, and of sympathy towards loved ones watching by the home fires in lonely glens. A photograph of the late Pte. Hugh Mackenzie is reproduced.
Lance Corporal J. D. Mackenzie
Date of Paper: 17.12.1915
Surname: Mackenzie
First Name(s): J. D.
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: 2nd Cameron Highlanders
Home Address: Lochrosque Gardens, Achnasheen
J. D. Mackenzie, 2nd Camerons. As formerly reported Lance Corpl. Mackenzie received the D.C.M. for having, on the night of 20th February, after leading a relieving party to his trench, went back under a heavy fire which had been opened by the enemy, killing and wounding eight men, to look for these men. Finding none, he returned and assisted to safety an officer who had been wounded. Again, on 6th April, Lance Corpl. Mackenzie went out in the evening with a reconnoitring patrol and, having lost his bearings, remained inside the enemy’s wire entanglements all the following day, returning after dark with useful information.
Lance-Corpl. Mackenzie was killed in action on 11th May, and it is unfortunate that he never heard of the honour conferred upon him. The deceased was the eldest son of Mr John Mackenzie, Lochrosque Gardens, Achnasheen, and an old Dingwall Academy boy, he was well known in the county. For over ten years he was in the 1st Seaforths, and while with them he served in the Mohmand Field Force Expedition, for which he received the medal in 1908. He was wireless operator at the Radio Station, Bombay, India, which post he immediately gave up on the outbreak of war, and applied to rejoin his old regiment. This he failed to do, and he joined the 2nd Camerons. He had many friends in both regiments, and was very popular with all his comrades, who are proud of the distinction that has been conferred upon him.
Lance Corporal James Mackenzie
Date of Paper: 10.03.1916
Surname: Mackenzie
First Name(s): James
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: H (Brahan) Coy., 1/4th Seaforths
Home Address: Strathgarve, Garve
Mackenzie, Lance-Corpl. James, 1444, H (Brahan) Coy., died of wounds, 11th March, 1915; gamekeeper, and resided at Strathgarve, Garve, fourth son of Mr John Mackenzie, engineer, Strathgarve.
Private William Mackenzie
Date of Paper: 03.01.1919
Surname: Mackenzie
First Name(s): William
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: 11, Station Road, Garve
GARVE SEAFORTH KILLED
Mr Donald Mackenzie, 11 Station Road, Garve, recently received word that his nephew, Pte. William Mackenzie, 5th Seaforths, was killed in action in France on 13th October 1918. Of sterling character, and possessing a bright and happy disposition, he was much esteemed by all who knew him. Before the war he was ploughman with Major Stirling of Strathgarve. Pte. Wm. Mackenzie joined the colours in September 1914 and proceeded to France in May 1915, where he saw much active service in the field. He had been twice wounded. Lieut. D. Stewart, writing on 21st October, says: “It is with heartfelt sympathy that I have to inform you of the death of your nephew, Pte. Wm. Mackenzie. He was killed on the morning of the 13th inst. while we were attacking the German positions. It will be some consolation to you to know that his body was brought back and buried in a British Cemetery behind our lines. Your nephew was a great favourite among the men, and I am voicing the opinion of the whole company when I say how much we miss him. He was what one could term a true Highlander, and men like him are hard to find nowadays.”
A photograph of deceased appears today.
Photo: #5793
Major Arthur Mackintosh
Date of Paper: 18.05.1917
Surname: Mackintosh
First Name(s): Arthur
Rank: Major
Regiment: Canadians
Home Address: Lochrosque, Achnasheen
LATE MAJOR ARTHUR MACKINTOSH, LOCHROSQUE
There is reproduced above a photograph of the late Major Arthur Mackintosh, Canadians, who, as reported recently, was killed in action on the Western Front on April 24. Later information shows that Major Mackintosh was hit by shrapnel as he was leaving his dug-out. He was not killed outright, but died while being conveyed to a field post. The son of the late Mr Donald Mackintosh, and of Mrs Mackintosh, Lochrosque, Achnasheen, he was educated at Dingwall Academy, and thereafter proceeded to Edinburgh, where he was indentured law apprentice with Messrs Fletcher & Baillie. About 12 years ago he went to Canada, and engaged in real estate work. He was successful, and at the time of mobilisation owned a considerable amount of property in British Columbia. A keen sportsman and a splendid rifle shot – he gained served prizes while in Edinburgh – he was a volunteer before leaving for abroad, and on settling in Canada joined the Canadian Forces. On the outbreak of war he mobilised, and was one of the first and famous Canadian contingent to arrive in this country, sacrificing the captaincy which he then held for a second lieutenancy in order to secure a place in the first contingent. He was through some of the toughest tussles in which the Canadians have engaged, and none more bitter perhaps than the fighting at Ypres in the days when artillery was no better than it ought to have been. Twice wounded, he returned to the front on each occasion as soon as he was fit. Two years ago he was promoted Captain, and he got his majority in November last. To quick intelligence he added the charm of an attractive personality, which carried him far in the goodwill of his fellow officers and of all those under his command.
Major Mackintosh was 34 years of age, and the death at an early age of a type of manhood such as his was is not merely an immediate loss to the Army, and particularly to the unit with which he was serving, but to the business life of the great Dominion overseas, of which he was fast becoming a well-known and highly capable member. With his mother, Mrs Mackintosh, and the family the deepest sympathy is felt.
Three other brothers are serving with the colours.
Sapper Kenneth Mackintosh is serving with the Royal Engineers in Salonica;
Pte. Donald Mackintosh is with the Canadians in France; and Pte. John Mackintosh is in the A.S.C., motor transport.
Mrs Mackintosh has received many messages of sympathy, and among them the following telegram from the King and Queen:
“Buckingham Palace, London, May /5/17. The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of Major Arthur Mackintosh in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow. Keeper of the Privy Purse.”
[Handwritten note: “Brother Corpl. Donald killed 23-10-1918.”]
Private Alexander Maclennan
Date of Paper: 15.06.1917
Surname: Maclennan
First Name(s): Alexander
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Grudie, Lochluichart
MILITARY HONOURS TO LOCHLUICHART MAN
The gratifying news has been received at Lochluichart that Private Alexander Maclennan has been awarded the Military Medal “for gallantry in the field”. Private Maclennan, who is a stretcher-bearer in the Ross-shire Seaforths, joined the Territorial Force a few years ago, and, on mobilisation, proceeded on active service with the famous battalion. On 23rd and 24th April he greatly distinguished himself by his courageous deeds, having, at the risk of his own life, succeeded in carrying to the dressing station those of his comrades-in-arms who were lying wounded and exposed to further danger. His numerous friends are proud of the honour he has reflected upon the district, and his mother, who resides at Grudie, Lochluichart, has received many congratulations on her son’s bravery.
Photo: #6210
Private John Matheson
Date of Paper: 07.09.1917
Surname: Matheson
First Name(s): John
Rank: Private
Regiment: South African Scottish
Home Address: Corriemoillie, Garve
Private John Matheson, South African Scottish, of whom we produce a photograph above, is a son of the late Mr Angus Matheson, farmer, Corriemoille, Garve, who was so well known over the North and West as a dealer and buyer of cattle. Pte. Matheson enlisted during the Boer War in the Lovat Scouts, and went through that campaign without being injured. When peace was declared he joined the Natal Border Police. When the European War broke out he took part in the East African campaign, after which he went to Egypt. His service ended there. He was transferred to the West, and in 1915 he was sent to France. In the attack on Delville Wood in July 1916, he was severely wounded, and was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was first sent to hospital at Lazerett, Alexandrines Strasse, Berlin, from where he was transferred to his present hospital, his address being No. 874, 20th Coy., Frankfort on the Oder. His wounds are in the face, but his people hear once a month from him, and, so far, he is making a steady recovery.
Other two sons of Mr Matheson, Kenneth and Colin, were through the South African War, the former in the Seaforths, getting through without a scratch. Subsequently he went to America. He has since joined the American Force, and is on his way to this country. Colin was wounded in South Africa, and after being pensioned off he went to Australia, where he was employed on a sheep ranch. Always a keen soldier, he has volunteered several times, but the Australian authorities will not accept. Him.
The eldest son, James, and his sister, reside at the old home at Garve, while Miss Isabella Matheson, another sister, resides at Epsom.
