War casualties, 1917

born on September 14, 1889, at Achrosrigan Farm, Appin, to Coll, a blacksmith, and his wife, Ann MacRae. Known as Alastair, he was an only child and, when his father died, he and his mother moved to Albany Terrace, Oban. He became a clerk with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Alexander moved to a branch in Forfar from where he joined the Royal Scots (Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles) in 1916. He was described as having “a bright disposition and being an affectionate and dutiful son to his mother”. He was killed in Palestine on November 2, 1917, aged 28. He is buried within Gaza War Cemetery, Grave XXVI. A12, Palestine.

▮ Gunner William John MacRae, right, s/n 3001868, 1st (Argyll) Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was born on June 20, 1895, at 8 Argyll Square to William, a joiner, and his wife, Annie MacIntosh. His parents had come from Kintail and Kilchrenan respectively. Of the seven children, three had died by the outbreak of war in 1914. Young Willie attended the Free Church and was a member of the Boys’ Brigade. Like his brother Alister, he was a keen piper. By 1911 the family were living in Balmacara, the house Willie’s father built for his family. He joined the Argyll Mountain Battery and served in Malta, Gallipoli, Egypt and Salonica. He died of appendicitis, aged 22, on November 9, 1917, in a military hospital in Greece. He is buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Grave VIII. B. 12.

▮ Corporal Alexander MacLean Campbell, s/n 300033, 4th Heavy (Mountain) Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery was born at 29 Combie Street on February 2, 1892, to Murdo, a clothier, and his wife, Catherine MacFarlane from Glendale, Skye. The family of four sons and two daughters moved to 7 Argyll Street where their father was a tailor and Alec served his apprenticeship as a plumber with

D. Crawford & Sons. Corporal Campbell mobilised in August 1914 with the Left Section of the Argyll Mountain Battery but subsequently was transferred to the Ammunition Column, going to Salonica in 1916. He died of malignant tertian malaria in Egypt on November 24, 1917, aged 25. He is buried at Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Grave C436, Greece.

▮ Private David Alexander MacArthur, s/n 300648, 1st /8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was born on July 30, 1885, at 1 Cawdor Place to Alexander, a writer or solicitor, and his wife, Elizabeth Ferguson. The family lived in the Commercial Bank House in Argyll Square. While work was being done in preparation for their new home, the discovery of a cave with prehistoric remains was made and named MacArthur’s Cave after David’s father. David was a member of the Oban Boys’ Brigade. He enlisted with the Argylls and died of wounds on November 24, 1917, aged 32. He is buried at Orival Wood British

Cemetery, Flesquiers, I.A.10, France

▮ Private Alexander Campbell MacDonald, s/n 350643, 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) was born on February 25, 1896, in Glasgow to Donald, a plumber, and his wife, Mary. His father was from Mull.

By 1901 the family of four sons and three daughters, with Alick the second youngest son, was living at Lorn Terrace. Ten years later, he was a draper’s message boy and lived with his family at Margaret Cottage, Strathearn Villa, Soroba Road. He first joined the Highland Cyclists’ Battalion, transferring to the Black Watch. He was struck by a piece of heavy shell while serving in France and died a short time later. “He did not suffer much and when he was being carried away to hospital, he smiled and said goodbye to all his friends. The end came peacefully. He wanted his parents not to worry.” He died on December 6, 1917, aged 21 and is buried at Dozinghem

Grave

Military Cemetery, Grave XIV F. 9, Belgium.

▮ Captain James Menzies MacLachlan, Military Cross, General List, was born on July 17, 1885, at The Hotel, Kilmartin, to Hugh, a hotel keeper and farmer, and his wife, Elizabeth Menzies. By 1891 the family was living at Stroneskar Farm, Ford, where James was the second oldest of four sons and a daughter. Ten years later, aged 15, he was a bank apprentice with the Clydesdale Bank, Lochgilphead, and by 1911 he had moved to Columba Terrace, Oban, as a bank accountant. While living in Oban, James was secretary to one of the Ward Committees. His loved golf and was treasurer of the local club. When war broke out, he enlisted in the County Territorial Battery and was rapidly promoted to SergeantMajor. “He was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the HLI from which he was transferred to the Trench Mortar Battery where he saw considerable action in the battles of the Somme and Beaumont Hamel.” He was promoted to Captain and was awarded the Military Cross “for his outstanding ability to command and powers of organisation”. He did not live to receive the award. He died in Belgium on December 2, 1917, aged 32. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 161, Belgium.

▮ Lieutenant John James Clarkson, left, 10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was born in England in 1886 to Thomas, a minister and his wife, Margaret. Aged 25, he was a teacher in Anstruther, Fife. He moved to Oban High School to take up a post as science teacher, living at Cawdor Terrace with Captain and Mrs Paul Cameron. John enlisted with the Argylls, taking a commission as Lieutenant and “was killed during heavy bombardment of the Battalion trenches at Gouzeaucourt”. He died on December 30, 1917, aged 31. He was buried at Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-leGrand, Grave III E 29, France.