Popular soldier dies from malaria

A Doune soldier, said to have ‘all the characteristics of the British Tommy’, died of malarial fever while serving in Palestine.

The death of Sgt Michael ‘Mick’ Manning brought great sadness to the area, the Observer wrote.

‘He was in some respects the most popular soldier in our midst,’ the paper continued. ‘He could tell a story with great zest.

‘He was always of a cheerful disposition and conveyed the impression of being brave and resourceful in a tight place.’

Sgt Manning joined the Army in the early years of the war and for some time served in France where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

During his last stay in Doune he was suffering from the effects of gas poisoning.

The sergeant was deployed to Palestine two years earlier. He left a daughter and two sons, one whom had joined the Army shortly before his death.

Sgt Manning was laid to rest in Jerusalem.

Deanston was mourning the death of Second Lieutenant James Stewart, who succumbed to wounds to the head and leg sustained in a ‘fierce engagement’ in France.

He had been in the Army almost since the outset of the war and for much of that time in the noncommissioned ranks.

He was educated at Deanston School and, said the Observer, all who knew Lt Stewart found him to be a ‘young man of superior character and pronounced ability’.

He was the younger brother of Mr Peter Stewart, Fourth Division, Deanston.

Villagers in Doune welcomed home on leave Pte John Stewart and a Private Campbell.

Pte Stewart, son of Mr Robert Stewart, Doune Mill, was formerly a porter at Doune Railway Station. He had been in France fo a year.

Pte Campbell was one of the village’s ‘oldest veteran soldiers’ and had been on active service since the first year of the war.

His son, also in the Army, had been on furlough a few months earlier.

‘Together they have done well by their King and country,’ said the Observer.

Back in Kippen for well-earned leave were L/Cpl Andrew Kerr, Royal Engineers , Pte Tom Kerr, Royal Garrison Artillery and Sgt William McAllan, Army Ordnance Corp.

Pte R Leckie , Black Watch, was on sick leave in the village.

Returning to Buchlyvie for 14 days’ leave was Pte Bertie Middleton, Machine Gun Corp who have been away for 12 months.

During that time he had been involved in the fighting in Egypt, Palestine and France.

People in Aberfoyle learned soldier from the village Pte George Wilson was admitted to hospital suffering from gas poisoning.

Robert Thomson, a short time earlier wounded in action, was home on sick leave.

In Gartmore, Sgt JL Ure and Pte William More, both Scottish Horse, and Sgt Malcolm McGregor, Black Watch, were home on leave.

Pte Peter McLean, Mechanical Transport, had a month’s sick leave.