McFarlane, John

Details
Category: 1915-16

John McFarlane

royal artillery

14th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery. He is remembered with honour on the Helensburgh War Memorial Column 1 Line 22.

The family home was at 90, West King Street, Helensburgh. The son of Isabella McFarlane (widow).
Siblings: John had one brother, Neil and two sisters, Jean and Effie.
John McFarlane was born in Alexandria and was brought up in Helensburgh by his widowed mother.
Before enlisting he was employed as an apprentice joiner in the town.
He died, killed in action at the age of 19.

MacLachlan, Gordon Fordyce

Details
Category: 1915-16

Gordon Fordyce MacLachlan

Camerons

5th Batt. Cameron Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Loos Memorial, the Scottish National War Memorial, Helensburgh Old Parish Church memorial, Helensburgh and Gareloch Unionist Association Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 27.

The family home was at Rowan Brae, Helensburgh.
The son of David S and Helen MacLachlan.
Siblings: John had two older brothers, William (a clerk) and Charles (baker).

Provost MaclachlanGordon MacLachlan was born in Dumbarton and brought up in Helensburgh, where he went to Hermitage Higher Grade School. His father David owned a local bakery and restaurant and was also Town Provost 1908-1911 (inset left).

Gordon has just finished his apprenticeship as a civil engineer before enlisting.

Gordon was first reported as missing and then confirmed as killed in action. He was 22 years of age. His remain were not recovered.

Provost David S MacLachlan ©Argyll and Bute Council

 

MacLay, James Webster

Details
Category: 1915-16

James Webster MacLay

Scottish Rifles

1/7th Batt. Scottish Rifles
He is remembered with honour on the Kilmacolm Roll of Honour, St Columba’s Roll of Honour, and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 25.

The family home was at Brantwoode, 4, Munro Drive, Helensburgh and Eastwood, Kilmacolm.
The son of William Paton and Mary Jane Fraser Webster MacLay.

James MacLay was born in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire and grew up between his family homes in Kilmacolm and Helensburgh. He was educated at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire where he served in the cadet corps for four years. He later attended The Glasgow Academy before enlisting in the army.

His uncle, Joseph Paton Maclay was Minister for Shipping and two of his cousins also served and died; William MacLay at Gallipoli in 1915 and Ebenezer Maclay at Arras in 1918.

James died in February serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, but his death was not registered until June 1915. He was 18 years old and the youngest officer in his regiment.

The inscription on his headstone simply reads: 'Native of Kilmacolm, Scotland'.

MacKay George

Details
Category: 1915-16

George MacKay

Argylls

1/9th Batt. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
He is remembered with honour on the Scottish National Memorial, St Andrew’s Church Roll of Honour and Helensburgh War Memorial, Column 1 Line 24.

The family home was at 82, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.
The son of George and Jeanie Logan MacKay.
Siblings: George was one of six children. Three of his brothers served, Hugh and James with the Royal Engineers and Duncan with the 2/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They all survived the war. The eldest brother William was in a reserved occupation on the railways. They had one sister Catherine.
George MacKay was born at 37, Sinclair Street and brought up in the town, where his father was a journeyman plasterer. He was employed as an upholsterer to trade and was described as an enthusiastic territorial before enlisting.

George MacKay was born at 37, Sinclair Street and brought up in the town, where his father was a journeyman plasterer. He was employed as an upholsterer to trade and was described as an enthusiastic territorial before enlisting.
George was the first soldier serving in the local 1/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to be killed at Ypres. He died from wounds received by sniper fire whilst leaving the trenches at the age of 24. He was buried with full military honours and a piper played by his graveside.
The family inscription on his grave reads: 'Until the Day Dawn'.

View a letter from George as he waits to leave for France "My dear sister..."

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