Glass Remembered … Casualties of War

BANFFSHIRE JOURNAL

July 24 1917
We regret to say that information has been received that LIEUT. ALEXANDER GUTHRIE, RFA second son of Rev. W.G. Guthrie, Glass has been killed in action.   At the outbreak of war he was a second year’s student at Aberdeen University and joined the RFA.  A brother was killed some little time ago.

August 14 1917
Information has been received by Mrs Bonnyman, Belnaboth, Glass that her son SECOND LIEUT. JAMES BONNYMAN, Machine Gun Corps has been wounded in legs and arms.  He is now in hospital in Plymouth.  Previous to enlistment LIEUT. BONNYMAN was manager of his mother’s farm at Belnaboth.  He joined the Scots Guards as a private in the early stages of the war and after training in that regiment he received a commission in the Machine Gun Corps.

August 21 1917
PRIVATE JAMES SMITH, wounded is son of Mr John Smith, Glenmarkie, Mortlach.  Previous to enlistment he was employed at his father’s farm at Glenmarkie.

August 21 1917
PRIVATE WILLIAM MCIRVINE wounded, is the son of Mr John McIrvine, Cairnmore, Glass.  Previous to enlistment he was in farm service in the Glass district.

September 18 1917
Intimation has been received that PRIVATE CHARLES DOUGLAS, Gordon Highlanders has been wounded.  He is the eldest son of Mr & Mrs Charles Douglas, Cairnborrow, Glass.  PRIVATE DOUGLAS served as a soldier in India for fully 5 years and was home when war broke out.  He joined up and was in France in August 1914.  He has been twice wounded.

October 23 1917
PRIVATE JAMES ROBERTSON, Seaforths is reported wounded.  He was a farm servant before enlistment.  His mother resides at Bodylair, Glass

November 6 1917
Last week we were pleased to report the promotion of LIEUT. DONALD MCDONALD of the South African Scottish, a native of Glass and it is with great regret that we now intimate that he has fallen in action.  He was one of three brothers, sons of Mr & Mrs McDonald, Market Hill, Glass who joined the army.  One brother DUNCAN made the supreme sacrifice last year and another brother TOM is still serving.  The sympathy of the community goes out to the father and mother of these brave men in their noble sorrow.

6 November 1917
LATE LIEUT. MCDONALD.   In the Parish Church on Sunday Rev W.G. Guthrie at the close of his sermon made the following reference to the late LIEUT. DONALD MCDONALD who has fallen in action.

“What a reaping time these three years have been.  Thousand upon thousands of our best and bravest have been cut down.  When we consider the number of the mortal years the first thought that strikes us is that they died before their time.  And yet it has often seemed to me that those dear lads whom I have known were visibly ripening for heaven.  The development of the Christian character which in the case of most of us is a slow and often disappointing process with them advanced with rapid strides.  They pressed forward toward the mark.  They went from strength to strength.   And so as an old writer has put it.  Having lived a short time they have fulfilled a long time.

Today we mourn the passing of the THIRTEENTH on our roll of honour.  I did not know LIEUT. DONALD MCDONALD.  I met him only once when he was home on leave for the last time.  On that occasion he impressed me as being one of natures gentlemen of whom our glen might well be proud and everything I have heard of him since has confirmed the high opinion I then formed of him.  The very fact of his leaving a thriving business in South Africa to fight for his native land in her sore distress showed the manner of man he was.  His career in the army has been full of honour.  He was the first from this parish to win a MILITARY MEDAL and only a few weeks ago he was promoted to commissioned rank without special training or examination.  Now his career in this world is ended.  But we believe that for him and all such as he, who have responded to the high call of duty and taken up their cross and followed Christ, death is only the entrance on a higher form of service.

Our hearts go out in sympathy to his sorrowing widow, his aged father and mother and his brothers and sisters to whom this war has brought sorrow upon sorrow”.

November 6 1917
PRIVATE JAMES SCOTT, Black Watch reported wounded is son of Mr & Mrs A. Dey, Market Hill, Glass.  Before enlistment he was chauffeur at the Huntly Hotel.  He is at the Salonika front.

August 6 1918
PRIVATE ALEXANDER SMITH son of the late Mr James Smith, Haugh of Glass has been wounded.

August 6 1918
PRIVATE ALEXANDER DOUGLAS son of Mr Charles Douglas, gamekeeper Cairnborrow Lodge is reported wounded for the fourth time.

September 3 1918
PRIVATE GEORGE DUNCAN    wounded is the son of Mr George Duncan, Invermarkie farm, Glass.  Before joining the Army he was a farm servant in the district.

September 10 1918
We regret to learn that Mr & Mrs George Duncan, Dallachy, Invermarkie, Glass have received a letter from an Army Chaplain informing them that their eldest son PRIVATE GEORGE DUNCAN has been killed in action.  PRIVATE DUNCAN had been previously reported wounded.  Mr & Mrs Duncan have the sincere sympathy of all in the district in their bereavement.  PRIVATE DUNCAN was before joining up engaged in farm work in the Glass district.

October 29 1918
PRIVATE JAMES CAMERON killed was son of Mr & Mrs James Cameron, Parkhead, Glass.  Previous to enlisting PRIVATE CAMERON was chauffeur to Mrs Geddes of Blairmore at Invermarkie House.

October 29 1918
PRIVATE CHARLES TAYLOR killed was youngest son of Mr & Mrs James Taylor, Midton, Glass.  In both the Parish and UF Churches of Glass on Sunday the respective ministers made fitting reference to the late PRIVATES JAMES CAMERON and CHARLES TAYLOR.  The sympathy of all in the district is extended to the bereaved families.

5 November 1918
CAMERON  Killed in action in France on 8th October PRIVATE JAMES SHEARER CAMERON aged 20 years also died at Battery Hospital, Dunbar on 28th October of pneumonia PRIVATE WILLIAM CAMERON  A & S Highlanders aged 18 years beloved sons of Mr & Mrs Cameron, Parkhead, Glass.

November 5 1918
MILITARY FUNERAL

A solemn and impressive event which will not readily be forgotten took place in the quiet parish of Glass on Friday.  Only a week ago we had reported the death in action of PRIVATE JAMES CAMERON son of Mr & Mrs James Cameron, Parkhead and since then they have lost their youngest son PRIVATE WILLIAM CAMERON who died on Tuesday from pneumonia following influenza.  The funeral of the latter took place from the Parish Church and was attended with full military honours.  A service was held in the church at noon conducted by Rev W.G. Guthrie and was largely attended by sympathetic friends anxious to pay a tribute of respect to the deceased soldier.  The coffin was placed in front of the pulpit draped with the Union Jack and covered with many beautiful wreaths among which may be mentioned those sent by the officers of deceased’s battalion and from the hospital staff.  While the coffin was being carried from the church the “Dead March” in “Saul” was played on the organ by Miss Guthrie and the procession passed into the churchyard through lines of the local company of Volunteers standing with arms reversed proceeded by a piper playing “The Flowers of the Forrest”.  After the coffin had been lowered a party of the Volunteers fired three volleys and the Last Post was sounded.  The deepest sympathy of the community is extended to Mr & Mrs Cameron and family in their heavy bereavement.

November 5 1918
PRIVATE ALEXANDER CHEYNE son of Mr & Mrs Cheyne, Corsmaul, Glass has been wounded and is in hospital in England.

November 12 1918
LANCE CORPL. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON  ASC MT only son of Mr & Mrs Robertson, Hilton Croft, Glass and whose wife and son reside at 50 Albion Road, Edinburgh, died on 1st inst of influenza in hospital abroad.  Before enlistment he was employed with the Leith Corporation Tramways.

November 12 1918
ROBERTSON  Died at General Hospital on the 1st November LANCE CORPL. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON  ASC  MT aged 34 beloved husband of Lizzie Davidson, of 50 Albion Road, Edinburgh and only son of Mr & Mrs Robertson, Hilton Croft, Glass – deeply mourned.

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