Second councillor’s son dies at the front
Losses as a result of the war had been felt by many organisation but none more so than Doune Town Council.
Villagers were mourning the death in action of 20-year-old Lt William Cochrane, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was the son of Councillor W Cochrane.
As the Observer’s correspondent pointed out, his death was only the second case in the community of an only son having been killed in the war.
The other was Pte Rodrick McKenzie, who died in Salonica a few months earlier and was the only son of Councillor J McKenzie, also a Doune town councillor.
“The town council, as a public body, has been severely hit by these grievous losses sustained by its members,” wrote the Observer.
Lt Cochrane was killed on September 26, 1917, when he was hit by a bullet shortly after achieving a military objective.
“His men made the enemy pay dearly,” said a letter to his father from a comrade of the lieutenant.
Lt Cochrane’s loss was keenly felt in the village. He was set to pursue a legal career and was pursuing that objective when called up.
A member of the Doune United Free Church and well known to parishioners., he was in the church’s Sabbath School and later became a Sabbath School teacher.
Gifted with a good voice, he was part of the church choir and also took part in the Bible class.
“It will be a shock to his parents and all who knew him,” wrote the comrade.
“Although their sorrow will be great, it is a source of pride to know that he died with his face to the enemy, brave and unflinching, carrying out all the traditions of a British soldier who, for the sake of generations to come, had paid the supreme sacrifice.”
He died with his face to the enemy for the sake of generations to come