Academy’s fallen

“I read with interest the article on Peacock Cottage, because I knew that three of the people named on the Perth Academy war memorial lived in Gellyburn and Murthly,” emails Dave Dykes. “Imagine my surprise when I read a follow-up mentioning that the tenant of the cottage from 1896 was David Rogers, a shoemaker, and also the father of two of these men!

“Private Drummond Kaye Rogers was born in 1898, enlisted in the Black Watch in 1914, and was wounded and gassed at the Battle of Loos in September 1915. Returning home, he died from the effects of gas on May 7 1916. He was 18 years old, and is buried in Caputh Cemetery. Captain Robert Carmichael Rogers was born in 1890, and, after going into medical practice in Mid Calder, he received a commission in the R.A.M.C. He died of his wounds in No. 14 General Hospital in Wimille, near Boulogne, on August 28 1918 at the age of 28 and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille.

“The other Academy FP is Second Lieutenant William Alexander Rae, who was born in 1885, and served with the Black Watch. He was killed in action on July 31 1917, the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). He was 32 years old, and is buried in No Man’s Cot Cemetery, Ypres.

I have also added a photograph of Eilidh, a current pupil of the Academy, laying a cross at the grave of Robert Rogers, during a visit to the cemetery by pupils during a school trip in May.

“A group of pupils at the Academy are taking part in a project called ‘Flowers of the Forest’ and their aim is to ensure that the 168 former pupils and staff of the school who lost their lives in the Great War are not forgotten.”

John Cricton of Forfar has sent this picture of the River Ericht at Blairgowrie on a crisp winter’s day.

● If you have a story for Craigie email: craigie@ thecourier.co.uk

Far left, Drummond Rogers; left, Robert Rogers; right, William Rae and Eilidh, below. See above for story.