Portsoy remembers Alexander Adamson

On this day we reflect on the sacrifice of Alexander Adamson, Pte 35266, 2nd Highland Light Infantry, who died of wounds on 3rd December 1917.  He had previously served as Pte 1442, Gordon Highlanders.  

Alexander was the son of Helen Adamson, 29 Schoolhendry Street, Portsoy.

Alexander was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, where a headstone is dedicated to him.

In memory of Alexander Wright

On this day we remember Alexander James Wright, Fireman in the Royal Naval Reserve.  He was serving on S.S. Copeland which was sailing from Glasgow to Cork when it was torpedoed on 2nd December 1917.  Twelve crew, including Alexander, lost their lives as a result.

Alexander was born in Fordyce in about 1889 to George and Jessie Ann Wright.  He also left a widow, Jessie (Donaldson) Wright, who lived at 73 Crossburn Street in Glasgow.

Alexander is among over 36,000 casualties commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

James Calder, Portsoy war casualty

Today we remember Portsoy native James Alexander Bruce Calder, whose parents George and Jessie Ann Calder had left Scotland and settled at 106 Summerhill Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.  James served as Pte 766781 in the 123rd Canadian Pioneers and was 24 years of age when he fell in action.

James was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium, where a gravestone marks his final resting place.

In memory of Donald McBain

On this day we remember Portsoy native Donald McBain, son of James McBain and Susan Reach, whose home was in Schoolhendry Street.  Donald was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve as mate on board SS Ballogie when it was torpedoed off the Yorkshire coast on 9th November 1917.  He was aged 61 when he lost his life and left behind a widow, Williamina McBain, who lived at 175 Crown Street in Aberdeen.

The Tower Hill memorial in London bears a dedication to Donald, as well as to over 36,000 other men of the Merchant Navy who were lost at sea.

Portsoy remembers Gordon Robertson

On 26th October we reflect on the sacrifice of Gordon Robertson, Pte 266124, 2nd Bn Gordon Highlanders.  Gordon was the son of William & Margaret Robertson, who lived at 6, Chapel Street in Portsoy.  He was 21 years of age when he was killed in action.

Gordon is commemorated on Panel 135-6 at the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres in Belgium.

Thomas Jamieson, war casualty

Today we remember Thomas Jamieson, Gunner 121782, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on 16th October 1917.  Thomas, a native of Shetland, was 27 years of age when he lost his life.  His parents, Thomas and Robina, lived at Easterscora, Delting, Shetland.

Thomas' grave is marked by a cross at The Huts cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium.

Remembering Alexander Wood

On 26th September we reflect on the sacrifice of Alexander Wood, Pte 242029, 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander and his comrades were fighting in the battle of Passchendaele when he was killed in action.  His parents, William & Elizabeth Wood, lived at 3 Wood Street in Portsoy.  Alexander also left a widow, Isabella, who lived at 67 College Bounds in Fraserburgh.

Along with some 35,000 men, Alexander is commemorated at the Tyne Cot memorial near Zonnebeke in Belgium.

Portsoy remembers Alexander West

Alexander George West was born in Portsoy to Henry & Margaret West, who subsequently settled at Dennistoun in Glasgow.  He served as S/17551 with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and was 19 years of age when he fell in action on 29th August 1917.

Alexander is commemorated by a gravestone in the Aeroplane Cemetery which is situated in the Ypres area of West-Vlaanderen in Belgium.

In memory of John Badenoch

Today, 11th July, marks the centenary of the death of John Badenoch, Pte 38906, Royal Army Medical Corps.  Having graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1900, he returned as a Divinity student in 1914 before enlisting for war service.  An entry in the University of Aberdeen Roll of Honour provides further biographical details.  John was one of the youngest children born to James Badenoch and his wife Mary Sutherland, whose home was at Tower House, Cullen Street in Portsoy.  

John was posted to the 33rd British General Hospital in Mesopotamia in November 1916.  His army service papers record medical treatment for dysentery and sandfly fever in the following months, before he eventually succumbed to heatstroke.  He was buried in Basra War Cemetery where a gravestone is dedicated to his memory.  He is also commemorated on the obelisk which marks the family grave in Portsoy.  

Sinclair McIntyre: Portsoy war casualty

A century after his death on 29th June 1917 we reflect on the sacrifice of young Sinclair McIntyre, Pte S/40312, 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Sinclair, aged 21 when he fell in action, was the son of John McIntyre and his wife Eliza Anderson, who ran a shop at 13 Seafield Street in Portsoy.  Eliza's father, Alexander Anderson, was renowned as a photographer and produced some of the earliest postcards of Portsoy.

Sinclair's grave lies at Zillebeke, near Ypres in Belgium.  A headstone bearing the sign of a cross is dedicated to him in the Perth Cemetery (China Wall).

Remembering the fallen of Portsoy: Freddie McLean

Today, 14th June, marks the anniversary of the death of Lieutenant Frederick William McLean, who served in the Royal Flying Corps.  Freddie was born in 1894 to William McLean, schoolmaster, and his wife Elizabeth, who lived at Seaview House in Portsoy.

On leaving school, Freddie took up employment as an engineer at the Great North of Scotland Railway works in Inverurie.  He enlisted for war service in January 1915  and passed through cadet school as an officer in September 1916, at which point he joined the Royal Flying Corps. After further training, he was made a Flying Officer in April 1917.

Freddie had been on active service in France for just under a month when his plane crashed on June 13^th 1917. He received mortal injuries and died on the evening of June 14^th 1917.

Freddie is commemorated by a gravestone at Avesnes-le-Compte Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

 

Portsoy remembers Andrew A. Duncan

On this day we remember Portsoy war casualty, Andrew A. Duncan, Pte 266036 in 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Andrew was killed in action on 16th May 1917, at the age of 22 years.  He was the son of Alexander and Mary Duncan.

Andrew is commemorated, along with many of his comrades, at the extensive Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

In memory of John G. Thomson

Today we recall the sacrifice of John G. Thomson, Pte 266172, of 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  John was 26 years of age when he was killed in action on 23rd April 1917.  His mother, Mrs McKenzie, lived at 5 North High Street in Portsoy.

John is one of over 30,000 war casualties who are commemorated at the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

James Smith, Portsoy war casualty

Today we remember James Smith, Trimmer 5655/TS who was aged just 19 when he was killed on 19th April 1917.  James was serving in the Royal Naval Reserve on HM Trawler "Lobelia II" when it struck a mine off the coast of Donegal near Fanad Head.  His parents were Captain James and Lilias Smith, who lived at 59 Schoolhendry Street in Portsoy.

James is one of the many war casualties commemorated by the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

In memory of Colin Still

A century after his death, Portsoy remembers Colin Still, Pte 265104, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Colin was 24 years of age when he was killed in action on 9th April 1917 at Roclincourt, Pas de Calais, France.  He was the son of Francis and Elspet Still, whose home was at 1 Culbert Street in Portsoy.

A gravestone at Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt  is dedicated to his memory.

Remembering John McCulloch

On this day we reflect on the sacrifice of John McCulloch, Captain in the 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action while leading his men at Roclincourt on 9th April 1917.  John, who lost his life aged 30, was the son of John and Jane McCulloch who lived at 12 Aird Street, Portsoy.  Their eldest son William had also become a war casualty in April 1915.

In 1909 John had graduated with 1st class honours in Classics from the University of Aberdeen and features in the University Roll of Honour.  He is also commemorated at the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Alexander Smart, L/Cpl 578, 2nd Gordon Highlanders

On the anniversary of his death we remember the sacrifice of Alexander Smart, Lance Corporal 578 in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Alexander was 24 years of age when he died of his wounds on 3rd April 1917.  His mother, Mrs Isabella Grant  Findlay, lived at 12 North High Street in Portsoy.

Alexander is commemorated by a gravestone dedicated to him at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, in the Somme area of France.