The Durness War Memorial lists the names of 31 men who lost their lives in the First World War. The following list is the men who died during World War One. If you have information or photographs of any of the men listed, or anyone from the area who took part in WWI, we’d love to hear from you! Please email Eileen Mackay at genealogy@strathnavermuseum.org.uk.
Alexander G. Campbell, Private, 1/6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
James Campbell, Private, 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders
A. Clarke, Private, Australian Imperial Force
Donald Fraser, Private, Wellington Regiment New Zealand Forces
John D. Fraser, Private, 2nd Bn King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Allan Gilmour, Captain, 2nd Lovat Scouts
Hugh Gunn, Lance Corporal, 1st Bn Scots Guards
Jesson Gunn, Private, 6th Bn Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
George Horne, Private, 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders
George S. Levy, Private, 43rd Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force
Hector Levy, Private, 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
John Levy, Private, 10th Bn Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
J. Macdonald, Lance Corporal, Seaforth Highlanders
Hugh Macdonald, Sergeant, 1/7th (Fife) Bn Royal Highlanders
Donald E. Mackay, Corporal, 1/4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Donald Mackay was born in 1892 to Edward Mackay and Flora Macdonald of Lerin, Durness. Donald served on the Somme and died from his wounds on the 23rd July 1916 and is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’abbe. Donald is shown as a young boy seated front centre in this image with his family.
Thanks to Colin Brown who forwarded this wonderful family portrait of Edward and Flora Mackay and their 6 children. Colin’s great grandmother Jane was Donald Mackay’s older sister.
Back Row: Jane, John, George, Mary Ann, James
Front Row: Edward, Donald, Flora
Robert Mackay, Private, 1/5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
William Mackay, Lance Corporal, 1/6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
William was born in Sangomore on the 2nd February 1987 to merchant John Mackay and his wife Annie Dunlop. In a letter home to his mother on 13th April 1917 William describes going ‘over the bags’ for the first time during the Battle of Arras 9th to 16th April. On the final day of the battle William was killed in fierce fighting around the Chemical Works in Roux.
Read more about William Mackay as part of the Pibrochs and Poppies project carried out in 2015 with Feis air an Oir.
Alexander J. Macleod, Private, 1/4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Donald Macleod, Lieutenant MC, 1st Bn Border Regiment
Henry C. Macleod, Private, 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
W. Morrison, Private, Canadian Expeditionary Force
Roderick Munro, Sergeant, 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry
John M. Ross, Private, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
Alexander Ross, Private, King’s Own Scottish Borderers
John A. N. M. Scobie, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers
John A. M. Scobit, Lieutenant MC, 59th Scinde Rifles, Frontier Force
Keith M. Scobie, Lieutenant, Royal Air Force
Donald Stewart, Private, 7th Bn Gordon Highlanders
Kenneth Sutherland , Private , Royal Army Medical Corps
Roderick G. Sutherland , Private, 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
William Swanson, Able Seaman , Royal Naval Reserve