Old Bill Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 This will be the third time I've asked for assistance here. The previous two have led to a great deal of info and I'm hoping for the same result this time. On Sunday next I'm taking 54 pupils on our biennial visit to the battlefields of WW1. I have selected a few names from the school's war memorial with a view to visiting the grave of one of them. I've drawn a blank on Hector McDonald. There are only a couple of Hectors on the CWGC register. However, I can find no connection with the area served by my school which is the Broxburn and Uphall area of West Lothian. Anyone able to help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 My geography is frightfully bad, so I've no idea where places in the UK are in relation to others. Pte Hector McDonald 1046, 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Glasgow), Highland Light Infantry, was born in Tiree, Argyllshire, enlisted Glasgow. He died of wounds in F&F on 26/08/16. Pte Hector McDonald 48591, 12th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment), formerly 5139 Manchester Regiment, was killed in action in F&F on 7/10/16. He was born in Manchester, resided there and enlisted there. Pte Hector Alexander McDonald G/6818, 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was killed in action 20/7/17. He was from Chiswick, having been born there, resided there and enlisted there. Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Using MacDonald as the surname spelling: Pte Hector MacDonald 16148, (Infantry) Machine Gun Corps (formerly 8700, Seaforth Highlanders) was killed in action in F&F 1/7/16. He was born in Barony, Larnark, enlisted in Hamilton and his residence was in Anderston. Pte Hector MacDonald 41473, 9th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was killed in action in F&F on 3/5/17. He was born in Inverness and enlisted there. Sergt Hector MacDonald S/12515, 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's) died in F&F 27/3/18. He was born in Knock, Lewis and enlisted in Cardiff, Glamorganshire. Pte Hector MacDonald S/12698, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was killed in action in F&F on 13/8/16. He was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian, resided in Broxburn, Linlithgowshire and enlisted in Uphall, West Lothian. That last one appears to be your chap (why is it always the last one I look at?). No head stone, sorry. Name: MACDONALD, HECTOR Initials: H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders Unit Text: 6th Bn. Date of Death: 13/08/1916 Service No: S/12698 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 B. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 There are 80 listings for men who resided in Broxburn. A whole heap of them are on memorials rather than having a grave of their own. Going alphabetically, how about one of these chaps (first names, residence, died how info etc available from SDGW - just let me know which one/s): Name: BRAIDWOOD, ALEXANDER Initials: A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Unit Text: 16th Bn. Age: 19 Date of Death: 09/04/1917 Service No: 38553 Additional information: Son of Alexander and Jessie Braidwood, of Melbourne Rd., Broxburn, West Lothian. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: G. 15. Cemetery: STE. CATHERINE BRITISH CEMETERY Name: BURNS Initials: T Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Unit Text: 11th Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 22/09/1917 Service No: 48364 Additional information: Son of David and Agnes Burns, of 7, Kirkhill Rd., Broxburn, West Lothian. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 9. Cemetery: LES BARAQUES MILITARY CEMETERY, SANGATTE Name: CLARKE Initials: B Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 19/06/1917 Service No: 19734 Additional information: Son of James and Elizabeth Mowbray Clarke, of 3, Steel's Row, Broxbourne, West Lothian. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. N. 6A. Cemetery: MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT Name: FOY Initials: A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Unit Text: 11th Bn. Date of Death: 31/10/1915 Service No: 15113 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot I. Row B. Grave 29. Cemetery: CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Name: GALLOWAY Initials: A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers Unit Text: 1st Bn. Secondary Unit Text: attd. 8th Trench Mortar Bty. Date of Death: 26/11/1917 Service No: 43099 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. C. 23. Cemetery: FAVREUIL BRITISH CEMETERY Name: GILLON Initials: W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry Unit Text: 6th Bn. Date of Death: 17/09/1918 Service No: 39615 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 51. Cemetery: QUEANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION Name: HARLEY, DENIS Initials: D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 10/02/1916 Service No: 19041 Additional information: Son of John and Ann Harley, of Alexander St., Uphall, West Lothian. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 37. Cemetery: AUTHUILE MILITARY CEMETERY Name: HEGGIE, WILLIAM Initials: W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Unit Text: "D" Coy. 14th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 06/08/1916 Service No: 13354 Additional information: Son of William and Jane Martin Heggie, of West Burnside, Broxburn, West Lothian. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 33. Cemetery: PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE etc (I can look up more if you like) Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Pte Hector McDonald 48591, 12th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment), formerly 5139 Manchester Regiment, was killed in action in F&F on 7/10/16. He was born in Manchester, resided there and enlisted there. Allie This particular Hector McDonald is my great uncle and definitely is associated with Manchester. Hope you find the one you're looking for. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted 17 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Pte Hector MacDonald S/12698, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was killed in action in F&F on 13/8/16. He was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian, resided in Broxburn, Linlithgowshire and enlisted in Uphall, West Lothian. That must be the one. Many thanks and many thanks for the other possibilities too. I'll choose one in a graveyard near to our route if possible. I am tempted to go for T Burns as the street he lived in is still there and very close to the school. However, Sangatte is a bit far off our normal route. We do however visit Thiepval so Hector would be a good choice. Any info about the action he was killed in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltoro1960 Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Just a wee bit more to add, his will is held in the national archives in Edinburgh here are the details. They will have his next of kin listed. RefNo SC70/8/415/56 Repository National Archives of Scotland Title Will of S/12698 or 12698 Private Hector MacDonald, 6th Bn. or (S), Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Cause of death: Killed in action, France, Theatre: France and Flanders, 13 Aug 1916 Date c1916 Extent 3 Description Informal will from Pay Book (Army Book 64). War Office refs: E/230731/1, 206/380866/16/17 AccessStatus Open AccessConditions Due to its fragile condition this will cannot be produced in the search room. Please contact a member of Search Room staff for details of how to access this document. FormerRef SC70/8/30 I don't know if you are aware of the documentary A Soldiers Return which was filmed in Uphall and France & Flanders. It is about the life and times of Corporal Robert Beveridge MM Royal Scots. He was born in Newtongrange and raised in Uphall, I had the privilige to appear in it (briefly), you can find out more if you wish by visiting my website, Newbattle at War, link in my signature, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Hello you should try contacting 'WW1 Dale Boys' He is a forum member and has gone through WW1 newspapers for Armadale and West Lothian Servicemen, he may have some more information for you. He sent me some information on a Broxburn man, John Munnoch. If you go to the bar above and click on 'Members' and enter his name above. you can contact him from there. Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted 17 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Just a wee bit more to add, his will is held in the national archives in Edinburgh here are the details. They will have his next of kin listed. RefNo SC70/8/415/56 Repository National Archives of Scotland Title Will of S/12698 or 12698 Private Hector MacDonald, 6th Bn. or (S), Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Cause of death: Killed in action, France, Theatre: France and Flanders, 13 Aug 1916 Date c1916 Extent 3 Description Informal will from Pay Book (Army Book 64). War Office refs: E/230731/1, 206/380866/16/17 AccessStatus Open AccessConditions Due to its fragile condition this will cannot be produced in the search room. Please contact a member of Search Room staff for details of how to access this document. I'll try to arrange a copy of that tomorrow. Many thanks. FormerRef SC70/8/30 I don't know if you are aware of the documentary A Soldiers Return which was filmed in Uphall and France & Flanders. It is about the life and times of Corporal Robert Beveridge MM Royal Scots. He was born in Newtongrange and raised in Uphall, I had the privilige to appear in it (briefly), you can find out more if you wish by visiting my website, Newbattle at War, link in my signature, Yes. I've seen that. Attended a screening in Broxburn. I thought about Beveridge but I know he was killed at Arras and our trip does not include Arras. Hello you should try contacting 'WW1 Dale Boys' He is a forum member and has gone through WW1 newspapers for Armadale and West Lothian Servicemen, he may have some more information for you. He sent me some information on a Broxburn man, John Munnoch. If you go to the bar above and click on 'Members' and enter his name above. you can contact him from there. Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Broxburn? Is this who I think it is? How about MacAuley, Scots Guards? Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Bulloch Posted 17 June , 2008 Share Posted 17 June , 2008 Bill. On or around August 11th 1916 the 6th Bn Cameron's took up a position at a point north west of High Wood and Bazentin-le-Petit on the morning of August 12th (6.00am) the Bn set off for the front line. at 10.00 am, and on the same day after an artillery bombardment that started at 10.05 am. At 10.30 am the 6th Bn advanced to assault the Switch Line no opposition was met although considerable machine gun and artillery fire was directed on their right flank. I hope this is of some help. This is from the Historic Records of the Cameron Highlanders Cheers Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted 18 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 18 June , 2008 Many thanks to all. NAS are going to fw me digital copies of Hector's will which I may be able to pick up when we are over there. Even more interesting perhaps, one of the pupils spoke to me today and brought me research which a family member had unearthed. This shows that one of the former pupils named on the memorial was in fact executed for striking an officer. No names or details for the moment as the family are understandably sensitive about this. However, the records of the Field Court Martial would appear to indicate that this was another travesty of justice which was inflicted simply for the sake of example. A total disgrace and enough to make one's blood boil. We'll be visiting this person's grave also. Thanks again to all Peter Wright PT History Broxburn Academy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Janet Posted 3 October , 2013 Share Posted 3 October , 2013 Peter I have only just joined this forum (today)! specificallt as my husband joined last week and told me about this thread. Private Hector Macdonald, 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, born Edinburgh and killed on 13th August 1916 was my great uncle. We have visited Thiepval, where he is remebred as having no known grave and also the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Arras where my husband's gr grandfather is buried. Do you mind me asking your interest in Hector? Did you choose to research him because he lived in Broxburn and signed on at Uphall? Would you also mind me asking if you have any further information regarding Hector which you are able to pass on? I am still living locally (and now one of the Broxburn Ward Councillors) but quite a novice at this sort of research so any info you would provide would be invaluable to me. many thanks for any help you are able to give Kind regards Janet Campbell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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