Strathpeffer WWI page 4
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Lance Corporal Angus Macleod
Date of Paper: 11.05.1917
Surname: Macleod
First Name(s): Angus
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment: Canadians
Home Address: Fodderty, Strathpeffer
THE LATE LCE.-CPL. ANGUS MACLEOD, CANADIANS
Lance-Corpl. Angus Macleod, Canadians, who, as already reported, was killed in action on the 9th April, was the son of Mr Macleod, shepherd, and Mrs Macleod, Fodderty. Lce-Corpl. Macleod emigrated to Canada 4½ years ago, and was “making good” in the land of his adoption when the call came. He joined up, and arrived here with the Canadians eighteen months ago. After six months’ training he went to France, and as a machine gunner had taken a worthy part in those brilliantly gallant deeds which have made famous the name of the Canadians. It is supposed he fell at Vimy Ridge, but, so far, particulars as to the manner of his death have not come to hand. Deceased, who was 27 years of age, is the second son of Mr and Mrs Macleod to fall in the Great War. Pte. K. J. Macleod, Seaforths, was killed in action by shell fire on 6th December, 1916, in his 18th year, and was buried in the Arras burying-ground, near where his brother fell. Another son, Pte. Kenneth Macleod, is serving with the Royal Naval Flying Corps overseas. Much sympathy is felt with the parents whose patriotic spirit has been so well manifested, and whose losses have been so heavy. A portrait of Lce-Corpl. Angus Macleod appears in today’s paper.
Photo: #8136
Private Kenneth Macleod
Date of Paper: 19.01.1917 and 11.05.1917 Mentioned in both newspaper entries.
Surname: Macleod
First Name(s): Kenneth
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Navy Flying Corps
Home Address: Fodderty, Strathpeffer
Private Kenneth John Macleod
Date of Paper: 19.01.1917
Surname: Macleod
First Name(s): Kenneth John
Rank: Private
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Fodderty, Strathpeffer
THE LATE PRIVATE K. J. MACLEOD, FODDERTY
Private Kenneth John Macleod, Seaforths, was killed in action by shell fire about 4.30 pm on the evening of 6th December, 1916. The sad intelligence reached deceased’s parents, Mr and Mrs Macleod, Fodderty, Dingwall, last week. One of three sons serving, Kenneth John was not 18 years of age. He enlisted early in 1915. Unfortunately, he was struck down with pleurisy, and was for a long time in the Dingwall hospital. On recovering he rejoined his battalion, and in July last proceeded with a draft to France.
In a letter of sympathy to Mrs Macleod, Captain barrington Anderson, MC, deceased’s officer, writes: “Private Macleod was a splendid soldier, trusted by his officers, loved by his comrades, and a type difficult to replace. He was buried in Arras burying-ground.
The brothers on Service are Angus, who is in the Canadians, and Kenneth, who is in the Royal Naval Air Service.
Deep sympathy will be expressed with the bereaved parents.
A photograph appears in today’s paper.
Lance Corporal D. Macleod
Date of Paper: 29.09.1916
Surname: Macleod
First Name(s): D.
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Seaforths
Home Address: Rose Cottage, Strathpeffer
STRATHPEFFER SEAFORTH KILLED IN ACTION
1936 Lance Corporal D. Macleod, Seaforths, reported killed in action on 24th July, was the son of Mr and Mrs Macleod, Rose Cottage, Strathpeffer. Out with the County Battalion in November 1914, L-Corpl. Macleod was a singularly brave and efficient soldier. He distinguished himself at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, and was mentioned in dispatches by Sir John French.
We reproduce a photograph of Lance-Corporal Macleod in today’s paper.
Photo: #6509
Second Lieutenant George D. Macrae
Paper: 19.04.1918
Surname: Macrae
First Name(s): George D.
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
Home Address: Windsor Lodge, Strathpeffer
2/Lt. George D. Macrae. M.G.C., whose death in action was recorded last week, and a biographical notice of whom has already appeared, was the son of Mr and Mrs Macrae, Windsor Lodge, Strathpeffer. He died on 27 March 1918, just before his 21st birthday.
After showing great skill in marksmanship, he joined the Machine Gun Corps and was sent to the Western Front in June 1917.
His photograph appears today. Captain Agnew, acting C/O of the company, writing to the parents, says: “It is with the very greatest regret that I have to write to you about the death of your son. ‘Jock’, as we used to call him, was an excellent chap, and was always dying to get into a scrap. I remember his annoyance when he was relieved just before a raid took place. A few days before he was killed he did some magnificent work, getting his machine gun on to good targets with great accuracy. He took over my section when I became second in command some months ago, and he always kept his men thoroughly cheerful and contented. We all miss him very much indeed. I will write to you later on and tell you a little more about his doings out here. The great regret of the team is that the body fell into the hands of the enemy.” Mr and Mrs Macrae have the complete sympathy of all in the loss of their brave and gallant son.
Mr Macrae received on Saturday the following telegram: “The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.”
An obituary in the Ross-shire Journal describes George D Macrae as having remarkable powers of observation and expression. It said that regarding descriptions of life on and behind the line “nothing better has been written than the articles from his pen which appeared at intervals in these columns. He was a descriptive writer, reflective and with an unerring eye for the essentials of life, of honour, of patriotism and of good report. He looked out on life hopefully, and he saw always and only the best phases of human character as revealed in his men and his associates.”
A Dingwall Academy pupil, George served as an apprentice in the Tulloch Street branch of the Bank of Scotland before moving to a bank in Pitlochry. “Here he was known as a clean living lad, fond of golf and football, and a true sportsman always,” states the obituary.
Weekend of Sunday 25 June 2017:
Descendants of Lieutenant George D Macrae, and his companions from the village, Private Norman Matheson and Lieutenant Alexander Matheson, all of whom served in the Machine Gun Corps and died in 1918 during World War 1, met at Fodderty War Memorial on Sunday 25 June 2017 to honour the three men. A separate ceremony was held at the Black Watch memorial at Loch Kinellan, commissioned by the late Kenny Stewart in 2016 in honour of his comrades who fell in the Korean War.
The ceremonies were organised by the Blue Flash Challenge Charity as part of a weekend-long fundraiser for bereaved children of army personnel, and included a trek from Fort Augustus to Strathpeffer; a shinty match; ceilidh; and memorial service.
At the memorial service, held in Strathpeffer Church of Scotland, Alpha Munro played a violin last played by George Macrae almost 100 years ago in the trenches. The violin had been gifted to George and was returned to the family after his death but lay untouched until discovered in the family’s former hotel, Windsor Lodge, which closed in the 1990s.
Another Macrae connection with events in 2017 is that of Donald, George’s father, who designed and built Fodderty War Memorial and then cut the cord at the opening ceremony.
Private Peter Macrae
Paper: 24.05.1918
Surname: Macrae
First Name(s): Peter
Rank: Private
Regiment: Canadians
Home Address: Canada (formerly Kinnellan Farm, Strathpeffer)
A photograph appears today of 35482 Pte. Peter Macrae, Canadians, son of Mr and Mrs Macrae, Kinnellan Farm, Strathpeffer, who, as recently reported, died of wounds on 29th April in No. 18 General Hospital, France. Pte. Macrae was wounded by shrapnel in the arms, legs, and chest, the latter penetrated. One of his hands had to be amputated. The hospital staff were extremely kind. A nursing sister wrote very kindly to the parents saying that sometimes he was very bright and again as far back as ever. His strong constitution would probably have pulled him through his grievous wounds, but he had suffered much loss of blood, and the margin of resistance left was too sorely taxed.
The Rev. J. S. Dancy, chaplain, in a letter stated that he had visited Pte. Macrae daily, who seemed to get on very well at first. “He was very patient, and always appreciated it when I read the Bible to him. With much sympathy in your great loss, and with personal appreciation of your noble sacrifice in the cause of God and humanity.” A message of sympathy from the King and Queen has also been received. Pte. Macrae had been previously wounded in the mouth. He had been through much severe fighting. A fine soldier, a devoted son, his loss falls heavily upon his parents, with whom much sympathy is felt. Before emigrating to Canada, Pte. Macrae was an engine driver, and was well known in his home district and in Alness.
Photo: #5796
Lieutenant Alexander Matheson
Date of Paper: 08.11.1918
Surname: Matheson
First Name(s): Alexander
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Home Address: Canada (formerly Ravenshill, Achterneed, Strathpeffer)
A photograph is reproduced to-day of the late Lieut. Alexander Matheson, Candian Machine Gun Corps, only son of Mr and Mrs Matheson, Ravenshill, Achterned, who, as already reported, was killed in action in France on September 29, 1918. Deceased is well-remembreed in the Fodderty district as a singularly bright, intelligent boy. Dux of his year in Fodderty School, he passed into Dingwall Academy. Subsequently he was employed for a short period with the Strathpeffer and Dingwall Electric Lighting Co., and before he was 17 years of age, following an instinct towards adventure, he emigrated to Victoria, British Columbia. In 1915, he joined the colours in Victoria, and went to France with the Canadian Medical Crops early in 1916. Last autumn he was recommended for a commission, and came to England for his training course in January, and was gazetted lieutenant in April, 1918. He was home for a short furlough last August. On his returning to France he was promoted training officer at the base. The call from up the line found him eager for the fight, and on September 21st, about a week before he fell, he volunteered for duty and joined his unit. Particulars as to the manner of his end are still awaited. The closing days of September were strenuous times for the Canadians, and emerging as the famous Dominion troops did with great glory and honour, the toll of death was heavy in some units, and the sources of information in some cases is consequently very restricted.
Lt. Matheson was a fine type of Canadian soldier and officer. “It seems but yesterday,” a correspondent wrote, “since Alick visited the old home at Achterneed, looking the picture of strong, virile, young manhood; bright, winsome and cheery.”
Photo: #6533
Private William Matheson
Date of Paper: 06.12.1918
Surname: Matheson
First Name(s): William
Rank: Private
Regiment: Canadians
Home Address: Canada (formerly Newton Villa, Strathpeffer)
THE LATE PTE. WM. MATHESON, CANADIANS, STRATHPEFFER
Private William Matheson, Canadians, who died of wounds at a casualty clearing station in France, three hours after being admitted on 27th August, was the youngest son of the late ex-Police Constable Peter Matheson, Newton Villa, Strathpeffer, a nephew of Major Matheson, Insh, Fortrose, and brother of Mrs A. L. Mackenzie, Monte Vista, Dingwall.
His nephew, Sergt. A. Matheson Mackenzie, 2nd Seaforths, Dingwall, a notice of whom appears today, died of wounds a month ago. Fourteen years ago, when quite young, Pte. Matheson went to Canada, and early in the war gave up a good appointment and joined the Canadians at Regina. After a year’s training, he went to France in 1916, and had been through the many great Canadian exploits since then. He was a daring soldier and never spared himself. He visited his friends when on leave last March. Former companions in Strathpeffer and district deeply regret his death at the opening of his promising manhood. A photo appears today.
“He was a good soldier, and met his death like a conqueror,” wrote the Presbyterian chaplain to Miss Matheson. “His warfare is now over. He fought a good fight, and kept faith.”
A report issued by Canadian Records states that Pte. Matheson was wounded at 3 p.m. on August 27, 1918, while advancing with his battalion on the enemy in the neighbourhood of Wancourt. He was immediately attended to, but succumbed the same day.
Pte. Matheson is buried at Ligny St. Flochel, a British cemetery near St Pol.
