Families left to grieve as latest action takes its toll at the front

Soldiers reported missing, wounded and killed

A strong indication was given in the Observer of the anxiety felt in many homes as families awaited news of loved ones in France.

Under the heading ‘Our Local Soldiers’, the paper’s Doune correspondent wrote of the latest German offensive and remarked: “No soldiers have earned greater distinction for the repulse of the Huns than those gallant lads who compose the Scottish regiments.”

However, days had past since the start of the fighting and there had been little news of Doune area soldiers thought to have been involved.

For some worried families the swirl of rumour came to an end 100 years ago this week when information reached the village that some soldiers from the area were missing.

The whereabouts of David Morrison, James Connelly and David Mackay, all Black Watch, were unknown.

L/Cpl Morrison, who had been in France for 18 months, was the eldest son of Mr Alex Morrison, signalman, Doune Station.

Pte Connelly, whose parents lived in Doune, was one of the company of Territorials from the area who went to France in the early stages of the war and had seen much fighting.

Pte MacKay, who had been on the Western Front for two years, had an elder brother – a corporal in the Cameron Highlanders – who was killed in France the previous year.

Among local soldiers about which no information had been received were Ptes A Logan, J Miller and Sgt Winter who before joining up was a teacher at Doune School.

There was, however, one family who received news they must have been dreading. Mrs Allan, of ‘Chain Lodge’, Blair Drummond, learned her husband, serving with the Royal Scots, had been killed in the early stages of the battle. He was wounded in 1917 but returned to the Front after recovery.

Elsewhere, Pte Andrew Mitchell, serving with the Lincolnshire regiment was killed in action on March 22, 1918.

The 21-year-old, whose mother lived at the Black Bull Hotel, Killearn, worked in the foundry office at Carron Company, Falkirk.

In Gartmore, Mrs William McFarlane, East End, learned her son, Bombardier PG McFarlane, Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed in action in France.

Pte A Carmichael and A Stewart, both Black Watch, were missing, and Cpl P Livingstone, Highland Light Infantry, was in hospital in England having been severely gassed.

Kippen soldier Sgt William Lennie, Highland Light Infantry, was reported killed on April 3, 1917. “Our field of brave dead now reaches the high number of 37,” said the Observer’s Kippen correspondent.

In Drymen, Mrs Gilfillan, Hillside, received word her son, Capt VA Gilfillan, was a prisoner of the Germans.

In Strathblane, it was reported that soldier from the village Sgt WB Moyes, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, had suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.

His parents were anxiously awaiting news of his condition, the Observer said.

The Strathblane correspondent explained that a number of local soldiers had been home on leave. Some had been at training camps while others were returning from France or from hospital after being treated for wounds.

Noting that legislation had just been passed into law extending the call-up age to 50, the correspondent said: “Now that the new Military Services Act is in force, we hope to see a few of our armchair generals and some who were in cushy jobs having to toe the line.”

Among those on leave in Kippen was Pte Ritchie, Frew Toll, who had been wounded three times.

Also home was Pte James Wight, who had suffered trench fever, and Sapper James Leckie, Royal Engineers.

He had been in hospital for some time but was returning to the Front for a second time.

Gunner John Robertson, Trench Mortar Battery, died at 56 Casualty Clearing Station, France, on April 4, 1918.

The 23-year-old was the youngest and only surviving son of Duncan Robertson, Rose Cottage, Brig Of Turk.

He enlisted in September, 1915, and had been two years in France.

His eldest brother was reported missing in July, 1916, at the Battle of the Somme, and later presumed killed at that time.

We hope to see a few of our armchair generals and some who were in cushy jobs having to toe the line