Heavy hearts in Portsoy

On 25th September we remember four young Portsoy men who lost their lives in the battle of Loos.  

Alexander Kemp, Pte S/7739 served in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  Aged 30, he was the son of Mary Morrison, who lived at 11 Aird Street in Portsoy.

The remaining three casualties all belonged to the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.  

Pte 11249 Andrew Gibson McKerrow, the son of Isabella Benzie, was just 20 years of age when he fell in action.  

William McKimmie, Pte 1466, who lived at 25 Church Street in Portsoy, was 22 years old.

Pte 952 John James Robertson was aged 28 and had lived at 58 Aird Street with his parents James & Margaret Robertson.

All are commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Remembering the fallen: Alexander McWilliam

Pte S/9351 Alexander McWilliam, serving in the 1st Gordon Highlanders, fell in action on 2nd August 1915.  He was the son of James McWilliam whose home was at 3, North High Street, Portsoy.

Alexander's grave lies at the Chester Farm Cemetery at Ypres in Belgium, where over 400 casualties are commemorated.

James C. Forbes

Our thoughts today go to James C. Forbes, Pte 1226 Gordon Highlanders, who was 21 years of age when he lost his life near Ypres on 17^th June 1915.  James was the son of William & Agnes Forbes, who farmed at Cowhythe, Portsoy.  He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium, as well as on the memorial at Portsoy School.

In memory of James Grant Gray and Donald Stuart

One hundred years on, Portsoy war casualties James Grant Gray and Donald Stuart are present in our thoughts.  Both young men were on active service with the Gordon Highlanders when they lost their lives on 16^th May 1915.  Both are commemorated on the LeTouret memorial in Pas de Calais, France. 

James Grant Gray, Pte 909, Gordon Highlanders was aged 23 at the time of his death.  His parents were William Ker Gray, Glenboyne, Portsoy, Banffshire, and Christina McKechnie Gray.

Donald Stuart, Pte 1470, 6^th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was the son of James & Annie Stuart of Cultain, Fordyce and was only 17 when he was killed.  His name is absent from the Portsoy town memorial but he is commemorated on the family gravestone in Portsoy cemetery.  

James McBeath

On this day we remember James McBeath, Lance-Corporal in 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who was killed on 14th December 1914 near Ypres.  He was the son of Mary Ann Dow and the father of the renowned folk-singer Jimmy McBeath, to whom a stone is dedicated in Portsoy New Cemetery.

Sgt William Gordon, Portsoy

Today we remember Sergeant William Gordon, 5889 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who lost his life near Ypres on 29th October 1914 at the age of 35.  He was the son of William & Isabella Gordon who lived at 18 Cullen Street in Portsoy.