Forgue War Memorial

1914-1919

Forgue War Memorial

Following the morning service the memorial, of Aberdeen granite, was unveiled on Sunday 15th February 1920, by the parish minister Rev. C. W. Stobie. Rev. J. Esslemont Adams, Aberdeen ( wartime chaplain to the 6th Gordons ) was to have dedicated and unveiled it, but was unable to attend.

The memorial was supplied by P.H. Gordon, Bogie Street Stoneyard, Huntly.

 

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, Ypres, Belgium, 1915.

 

Inscription

 

WW1 names

 

Details taken from Commonwealth War Graves Commission records.

The details in blue are additional information from my own research.
b = born, e = enlisted, DOW = died of wounds, POW = prisoner of war, KIA = killed in action, res = residence, NOK = next of kin

Casualties listed on Forgue War Memorial 1914 - 1919

1914 - 0 casualty
1915 -
2 casualties
1916 -
6 casualties
1917 -
9 casualties
1918 -
9 casualties
1919 -
2 casualties

Total casualties = 28

WW1 names

 

An unknown soldier's grave, Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders

 

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Pte Robt J B Wright M.B.
* (see note at foot of page)

ROBERT JAMES BARRON WRIGHT
( b Forgue, son of Robert Wright, headmaster, Forgue. Doctor at Forgue, M.B. Ch. B. Aberdeen University - 1904,
Captain on memorial is wrong, died due to illness at Military Hospital, Catterick Camp - suicide)

126877
Private
No.8 Coy, Royal Army Medical Corps

who died on
Monday 13 May 1918. Age 35.

Additional information: Husband of Elizabeth Alexandrina Wright, Emeraldbank, Forgue, later 158 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen.

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. I. 207.
Cemetery: FORGUE PARISH CHURCHYARD, ABERDEENSHIRE

 

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ANDREW GRAY NICOL
( b Forgue 1886, packer in Asdown's Stores, Winnipeg, killed when HE shell fell on battalion hut at St. Vast, near Arras. 11 killed, 27 wounded)

420769
Lance Corporal
Canadian Railway Troops

who died on
Wednesday 4 April 1917. Age 31.

Additional information: Son of Robert and Mrs. Isabella Nicol, of Conland, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. C. 58.
Cemetery: HIGHLAND CEMETERY, ROCLINCOURT
, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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ANDREW NICOL
( farm svt, e Turriff, Machine Gun section, 1st Battn., landed France 13 Aug 1914, KIA - shot by sniper Ypres Salient )

1197
Lance Corporal
8th/10th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Tuesday 31 July 1917. Age 20.

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Nicol, of Upper Auchmill Cottage, Kinnoir, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Native of Forgue, Huntly.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 2.
Cemetery: WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES
, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

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JAMES RITCHIE WILSON
( farm svt, e Huntly, reported missing on 21st March 1918, bro of Alexander - 6th Gordons, POW - died in enemy hands)

203364
Lance Corporal
5th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Thursday 21 March 1918. Age 21.

Additional information: Son of George and Annie Wilson, of Bogs of Raich, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 73.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France.

 

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GEORGE MELDRUM ALEXANDER
( b Drumblade, farm svt., e Turriff, formerly 3209 Gordon Highlanders, KIA near Arras )

37359
Private
8th Bn., Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

who died on
Monday 25 March 1918. Age 20.

Additional information: Son of Alexander and Helen Alexander ms Meldrum, Hill of Bognie, Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 90 to 93.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France.

 

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ROBERT McKAY
( b Forgue, e Glencorse, res Roslin, Midlothian. Six years farm svt in Canada, brother of Geo Logan McKay CEF )

168224
Gunner
128th Heavy Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery

who died on
Monday 16 July 1917. Age 29.

Additional information: Husband of M. McKay, of Station Rd., Bucklyvie, Stirlingshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVI. F. 13A.
Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

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MORRISON NICOL
( b Aberchirder, e Banffshire, landed Hedjaz, Asia 16 Sept 1914, d illness )

53482
Acting Bombardier
63rd Bty., Royal Field Artillery

who died on
Wednesday 30 August 1916. Age 28.

Additional information: Son (youngest) of James Nicol, Chapelbrae, Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXI. E. 39.
Cemetery: BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Baghdad, Iraq.

 

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ALEXANDER GEORGE SHEARER
( Alick, b Forgue, e Aberdeen, farm svt at Dukewell, Drumblade, e March 1916, wounded at Paschendaele 21 August 1917,
DOW two days later at Canadian CCS, bro of Adam Shearer - Black Watch,
parents residing at Bogs of Raich, Forgue, Aug 1917.
24 Gt. Western Rd., Aberdeen in August 1919 )

131824
Driver
8th Div. Ammunition Col., Royal Field Artillery

who died on
Thursday 23 August 1917. Age 23.

Additional information: Son of George and Helen Shearer, of 66, George St., Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Born Forgue, Huntly.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVIII. B. 8.
Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

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WILLIAM KING
( Landed Egypt 29 Nov 1915, died at Hawkhall, Forgue when on home leave from B.E.F.- Influenza - 12 days / Broncho Pneumonia)

36992
Sapper
68th Field Coy., Royal Engineers

who died on
Wednesday 27 February 1919. Age 29.

Additional Information: Husband of Elizabeth Harper Allan, Bankhead, Aberdeen. Son of James and Annie King ms Cassel.

Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 4. 186.
Cemetery: FORGUE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Aberdeenshire.

 

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FRANCIS STEVEN BEATTIE
(Francis Stephen Beattie b Huntly 1883, road foreman, res Mosscorral 1901, died Athelstaneford,
East Fortune ( Airfield ), Haddington of pneumonia )

190587
Aircraftman 2nd Class
Royal Air Force

who died on
Friday 15 February 1919. Age 36.

Additional information: Son of Francis and Elizabeth Horn Beattie.

Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 4. 82.
Cemetery: FORGUE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Aberdeenshire.

 

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LEWIS DRUMMOND BARBER
( Farm svt, b Forgue, res Buckie, e Aberdeen, landed France 18 May 1915, Mesopotamia Jan 1916, KIA)

2034
Private
1st Bn., Highland Light Infantry

who died on
Monday 4 December 1916. Age 33.

Additional information: Son of John Barber, Chapel Park, Forgue. Husband of Mary Mitchell, Blackford, Rothienorman.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXXI. F. 18.
Cemetery: AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Amara, Iraq.

 

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CHARLES E DEY
( farm svt., e Huntly, formerly 6409, wounded in air raid on rest camp 15th Sept, DOW at Dozingham CCS )

202780
Private
4th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Sunday 16 September 1917. Age 20.

Additional information: Son of Charles Dey, Brae of Bognie, Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: V. C. 5.
Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

 

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JAMES FINDLAY DICKSON

( b Durris, gardener, e Aberdeen July 1917, called up Nov, landed France 11 May 1918, posted to 1 GH 19th May, KIA )

S/42111
Private
1st Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Wednesday 29 May 1918. Age 18.

Additional information: Son of John Dickson, The Gardens, Drumblair, Forgue, Aberdeenshire

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. L. 7.
Cemetery: SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY, FOUQUEREUIL, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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CHARLES GREIG
( b Forgue 1883, Land Surveyor, e Morden, Manitoba, wounded Arras Aug 1917, KIA near Démuin )

874540
Private
8th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)

who died on
Friday 9 August 1918. Age 35.

Additional information: Second son of Alexander and Jane Greig ms Paterson, of Glenurie Cottage, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Sometime in Mill of Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 8.
Cemetery: MANITOBA CEMETERY, CAIX, Somme, France.

 

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GEORGE HORNE
( b Forgue, e Huntly, KIA 30th-31st July )

S/13988
Private
1st Bn, Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Monday 31 July 1916. Age 23.

Additional information:Son ( youngest) of James Horne, Muirton, Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 B and 15 C.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France.

 

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GEORGE LOGAN McKAY
( b Forgue 1891, farm svt res Hamiota, Manitoba, e Winnipeg 20/3/1916, bro of Robert McKay, RGA )

234451
Private
44th Bn., Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment)

who died on
Wednesday 22 August 1917. Age 26.

Additional information: Son of William and Lily McKay, of "Rosebank", Inverkeithny, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. B. 13.
Cemetery: LOOS BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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WILLIAM SHEARER
( farm svt at Parkdargue, Forgue, known as " Buller ". e Forgue August 1914, landed France 1915, wounded twice 1917 (Cambrai and Le Toquet), died 6th Gen Hosp, Rouen - mustard gas shell )

265859
Private
1st/5th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Monday 5 August 1918. Age 21.

Additional information: Son of William Shearer of Glendronach (carter), Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Q. IV. J. 9.
Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France
.

 

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ADAM SHEARER
( farm svt at Tillydown, Rothiemay. B Forgue, e Scottish Horse ( No. 6711 ) June 1916 at Huntly, trans to Black Watch,
landed France 1st Jan 1917, Battle of the Scarpe- wounded and missing, presumed died, brother of Alexr Shearer - RFA ,
parents residing at Bogs of Raich, Forgue, Aug 1917. Later 66 George St., Huntly - Aug 1919. )

268262
Private
6th Bn., Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

who died on
Monday 23 April 1917. Age 21.

Additional information: Son of George and Helen Shearer, of 24, Western Rd., Woodside, Aberdeen.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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HENRY TOCHER SHAND
( Meal Miller, e 30 Aug 1914, landed France, Jan 1915, KIA near Loos, bro of Alex. T Shand - CEF )

S/2833
Private
9th Bn., Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

who died on
Tuesday 25 January 1916

Additional information: Brother of William Shand, Mill of Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 78 to 83.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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ALEXANDER TOCHER SHAND
( b Forgue, Policeman, left Montreal 1/6/1915 SS Grampian, reported missing 8/9 Oct 1916,
DOW as POW at Parchim, Germany, bro of Henry T Shand - Black Watch )

421047
Private
16th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)

who died on
Wednesday 25 October 1916. Age 27.

Additional information: Son of James and Barbara Tocher Shand, of Mill of Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. B. 6.
Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY, Hamburg, Germany

 

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GEORGE GRAY TOUGH
( farm svt, b Ythanwells, e Huntly, formerly 12002, landed France 3 Sept 1915, wounded Loos 25th Sept - gas,
missing & presumed killed 9th April - Battle of Arras. )

266204
Private
6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Monday 9 April 1917. Age 19.

Additional information: Son of John and Mary Tough ms Diack.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 8 and 9.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL,
Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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JOHN LOVIE TAYLOR
( b Inverkeithny, father Brewer at Glendronach, e Cowdenbeath, grocer, served Egypt and Mesopotamia,
died of illness - pneumonia )

S/12325
Private
1st Bn., Seaforth Highlanders

who died on
Friday 20 September 1918. Age 24.

Additional information: Son of James and Annie Taylor, Glendronach, Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: K. 65.
Cemetery: RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY, Ramleh, Israel.

 

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GEORGE WINTON
( Farm svt, b Forgue, e Huntly, died of measles / congestion of lungs at Goldington Hosp., Bedford)

11445
Private
"E" Coy., 6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Friday 8 January 1915. Age 16.

Additional information: Late of Pennyburn, Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. 381.
Cemetery: BEDFORD CEMETERY, Beds.
, England

 

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ALEXANDER WILSON
( farm svt at Seafield Farm- Cullen, e Keith, landed France 10 March 1915, wounded at Battle of Loos,
died two days later at Meerut CCS, bro of James - 5th Gordons )

11427
Private
1st/6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Monday 27 September 1915. Age 21.

Additional information: Son of George and Annie Wilson, Bogs of Raich, Forgue, Huntly.

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 7.
Cemetery: ST. VENANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY
, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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JAMES WATT
( farm svt, b Turriff 1893, res & e Brandon, Manitoba Nov 1915 )

151993
Private
43rd Bn., Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)

who died on
Sunday 8 October 1916, Age 23.

Additional information: Son of William and Annie Watt, of North Coline, Forgue, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL
, Pas-de-Calais, France.

 

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ALEXANDER INNES
( Farm svt, e Huntly, landed France 2 December 1915, formerly 12100/6, KIA near Cambrai )

266264
Private
3rd / 6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Tuesday 20 November 1917. Age 22.

Additional information: Son of George C. and Isabella Innes, of Invergordon Mains, Invergordon, Ross-shire. Born at Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 7.
Cemetery: ORIVAL WOOD CEMETERY, FLESQUIERES, Nord , France.

 

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GEORGE HAY GRANT McKILLIGAN
( Farm svt, b Forgue, e Huntly 26 Nov 1914, res Muirton Forgue - NOK there 1919, formerly 11644 6th Gordons TF,
trans to MGC 4th May 1916, landed Basra Nov 1916, died of disease - 19th Gen. Hosp., Alexandria - Dystentry )

34196
Corporal
22nd Coy, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
formerly 1st/6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Tuesday 20 August 1918. Age 19.

Additional information: Son of David and Annie McKilligan, of Yonder Bognie Cottage, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 238.
Cemetery: ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt.

 

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JOHN GREIG SIEVWRIGHT
( b Ythanwells, e Huntly, farm svt, KIA - Battle of Marne )

S/40126
Private
1st/5th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Thursday 1 August 1918. Age 22.

Additional information: Grandson of William Sievwright, of South Broomhill, Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. E. 5.
Cemetery: RAPERIE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLEMONTOIRE, Aisne, France.

 

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Forgue WW1 / WW2

Casualties listed on Forgue War Memorial 1939 -1945

 

1939 - 0 casualty
1940 - 3 casualties
1941 - 0 casualties
1942 - 1 casualties
1943 - 2 casualties
1944- 2 casualties
1945- 0 casualty

Total casualties = 8

 

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Cpl Robert Gray
** (see note at foot of page)

ROBERT GRAY
( b & res Aberdeenshire, Sgt Gordons on memorial, formerly Cpl. 2876275 2nd Gordons,
transferred to RASC Singapore 22nd Nov 1941, missing Singapore 1942 on family headstone, brother of Walter Gray, GH )

T/2876275
Corporal
28 L. of C. Bde. Coy., Royal Army Service Corps

who died on
Saturday 26th February 1942. Aged 26.

Additional information: Son of George and Margaret Gray, of 5 Church Terrace, Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 98.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji, Singapore.

 

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CLAUDE WILLIAM HENRY
( b & res Aberdeen )

2873942
Corporal
2nd Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

who died on
Wednesday 1 November 1944. Age 34.

Additional information: Son of John and Annie Henry; husband of Ada Jane Henry ms Harper, of Aberdeen.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. F. 6.
Cemetery: MIERLO WAR CEMETERY, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands.

 

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GORDON PIRIE MIDDLETON
( b & res Aberdeenshire )

2882271
Corporal
Gordon Highlanders
1st Bn., The London Scottish

who died on
Friday 4 February 1944. Age 22.

Additional information: Son of John Pirie Middleton and Alice Middleton; husband of Patricia Middleton, of Scarborough, Yorkshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: II, T, 9.
Cemetery: ANZIO WAR CEMETERY, Italy.

 

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SAMUEL REID
( b Aberdeenshire, res Sutherland, enlisted into Gordon Highlanders )

2882401
Corporal
45th Regt., Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C.

who died on
Sunday 5 December 1943. Age 22.

Additional information: Son of James and Isabella Reid, of Forgue, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. H. 4.
Cemetery: KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY, India.

 

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Pte Henry Buchan
** (see note at foot of page)

HENRY JAMES BUCHAN
( b Aberdeenshire, res Aberdeen, POW Burma - Siam Railway, died of Cardiac Beri-beri & Malnutrition at Chungkai Base Camp)

2876281
Private
2nd Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Monday 30 August 1943. Age 30.

Additional information: NOK - nephew of Mrs Craig, Craigmancy Cottages, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 5. G. 9.
Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand.

 

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DAVID CATTO
( b Aberdeen, res Banffshire, Believed to be correct )

2879217
Private
1st Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Tuesday 11 June 1940. Age 24.

Additional information: Son of James and Edith Farquhar, of Gamrie, Banffshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: D, 8.
Cemetery: GRANDCOURT WAR CEMETERY, Seine-Maritime, France.

 

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WALTER GRAY
( b Aberdeenshire, res Aberdeenshire, died near Stonehaven, brother of Robert Gray, RASC )

2882390
Private
9th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Saturday 6 July 1940. Age 18.

Additional information: Son of George and Margaret Gray, of 5 Church Terrace, Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: North Extn. Grave 149.
Cemetery: FORGUE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Aberdeenshire.

 

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WILLIAM HORNE
( b Aberdeenshire, res Aberdeenshire )

2882407
Private
9th Bn., Gordon Highlanders

who died on
Friday 16 February 1940. Age 19.

Additional information: Son of William R. Horne and Elizabeth L. Horne, of Forgue.

Grave/Memorial Reference: North Extn. Grave 138.
Cemetery: FORGUE PARISH CHURCHYARD, Aberdeenshire.

 

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An unknown soldier's grave, L'Herbaudiere, Noirmoutier, France

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THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

These details were placed on the Internet on Armistice Day 2010
If you can provide any further information for adding to these records please contact

Forgue Memorial Update

Links to more local war memorials

Kennethmont

Rhynie & Kearn

Gartly

Clatt

Huntly

Drumblade

Glass

Leslie

This web page is dedicated to the men of Forgue, who at the call of King and Country left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of man by the path of duty and self sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.

Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten.

*The image of Pte Robert J B Wright appears here by kind permission of the University of Aberdeen

**The images of Pte. Henry J Buchan and Cpl. Robert Gray appear here by kind permission of the Gordon Highlanders Museum

© Copyright kinnethmont.co.uk 2010