James Topp, Pte 23679 Machine Gun Corps

On this day we remember the sacrifice of James Topp, who was serving in the 152nd Coy. Machine Gun Corps when he became a victim of the conflict on the Somme and died of wounds on 22nd October 1916.  He had previously served with the Gordon Highlanders and was the son of Alexander & Jane Topp, who lived at 8 South High Street in Portsoy.

James is named on the Portsoy town war memorial and was buried at the Englebelmer Communal Cemetery Extension in France where a headstone is dedicated to him.

In memory of Thomas Mair

On 13th October 1916, Thomas Mair, Pte 43137, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, became a victim of the conflict on the Western Front.  Thomas was the son of Helen Slater who had settled at Sinclair Road in Torry, Aberdeen, and was 23 years of age at the time of his death.

The impressive memorial at Thiepval in France bears a dedication to Thomas and over 70,000 of those who lost their lives during this period.  He is also commemorated on the Portsoy town memorial.