Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Morning everyone, I'm not sure anyone will be able to help with this request as I've tried Ancestry, Find My Past, National Archives and ScotlandsPeople to no avail. I know his name and place of birth but there is no record, at least that I can find, of his dates of birth and death. Even a very extensive family tree did not have his dates of birth and death suggesting his records have been lost. He was said to have been gassed and kept prisoner of war and 'never the same' on his return. It is known he served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Seems such a shame that he disappeared into the ether. Does anyone have any tips for me to try and find more about him? Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 6 minutes ago, Harlosh said: Does anyone have any tips for me to try and find more about him? Give the forum a name, light blue touch paper and stand well back (A brief summary of what you do know wouldn't go a miss - if he's in a family tree then you must have some rough time and place information for him). Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Thanks Peter, Much appreciated. He was Donald Macpherson, born no earlier than 1894 (and probably no later than 1900 given the rate his siblings appeared!) on the Isle of Skye. If his parents names would help I have them. Believed to have died, assume on Skye, in the 1950s. He had a brother also in the A&SH. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Hello again Harlosh, 2 hours ago, Harlosh said: It is known he served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. How do you know? How certain? 2 hours ago, Harlosh said: He was said to have been gassed and kept prisoner of war and 'never the same' on his return. How known? 23 minutes ago, Harlosh said: If his parents names would help I have them. Yes please, may help. :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 In ICRC records found one Donald Macpherson, A&S & POW but seems born 1898 in, and NoK, at Kincraig [which as far as I can tell is not Skye] Cameron Highlanders - 30709 and A&S - S/40842, 30666 https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/4038128/3/2 ??? :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 In WFA/Fold3 pension cards found one Donald Macpherson, A&S, S/24464 but his details are not much Z Reserve transfer disability claim from 12-2-19. and only gives an address of C/o Green, 11 Regent Murray Street, Overnewton, Glasgow ??? :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busterfield Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 The/A Macpherson 15427as mentioned by Matlock in the Cameron Highlanders was born,Harlosh 22/2/1893 was captured 28/3/1918. In ICRC as Royal Highlander, but MIC 15427 gived Cameron Highlanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Hi again Matlock, Re your first question: there's a photo of him in the family tree saying he was wearing the general service uniform of the A&SH. 2nd: passed by word of mouth but the family tree mention the PoW status. 3rd: Alexander Macpherson & Catherine Macdonald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Just now, Harlosh said: there's a photo of him in the family tree saying he was wearing the general service uniform of the A&SH Not sure I would be able to access it but others here on GWF may be able to and to check the veracity of A&S as a starter. Can you post a link to the tree - or probably better still the photo - for the likes of me/others? :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 If he was taken prisoner of war in the Great War while serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, (a big assumption), then we can start narrowing down the Theatre of War by looking at those Battalions that went overseas . 1st Battalion: France & Flanders 2nd Battalion: France & Flanders 1/5th: Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine and France & Flanders 1/6th: France & Italy 1/7th: France & Flanders 1/8th: France & Flanders 1/9th: France & Flanders 10th: France & Flanders 11th: France & Flanders 12th: France & Flanders then Salonika 14th: France & Flanders https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/princess-louises-argyll-sutherland-highlanders/ France & Flanders is much the most likely theatre for him to have been gassed. The International Committee for the Red Cross, (ICRC), has 4 records for men serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders whose surname began MacP \ McP and who were captured on the Western Front. However there is only the one Donald MacPherson – the man already identified by @matlock1914 There are no obvious candidates captured at Salonika , or Gallipoli, Egypt & Palestine. It would seem if he was captured while with the A&SH it was late on in the war when the reporting system was starting to break down, (which would be slightly at odds with a man affected long term by captivity), or somehow he was missed from the repatriation reports, or he was actually serving with another unit. So I’m afraid more clues required. Could you confirm the parents survived the war years and roughly where they might have been living during that period. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 5 minutes ago, Matlock1418 said: Not sure I would be able to access it but others here on GWF may be able to and to check the veracity of A&S as a starter. Can you post a link to the tree - or probably better still the photo - for the likes of me/others? :-) M Hi Matlock, The tree is in paper form as it was completed in the days before the internet! I'll try and post the photo soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Hope these help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 17 minutes ago, PRC said: If he was taken prisoner of war in the Great War while serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, (a big assumption), then we can start narrowing down the Theatre of War by looking at those Battalions that went overseas . 1st Battalion: France & Flanders 2nd Battalion: France & Flanders 1/5th: Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine and France & Flanders 1/6th: France & Italy 1/7th: France & Flanders 1/8th: France & Flanders 1/9th: France & Flanders 10th: France & Flanders 11th: France & Flanders 12th: France & Flanders then Salonika 14th: France & Flanders https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/princess-louises-argyll-sutherland-highlanders/ France & Flanders is much the most likely theatre for him to have been gassed. The International Committee for the Red Cross, (ICRC), has 4 records for men serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders whose surname began MacP \ McP and who were captured on the Western Front. However there is only the one Donald MacPherson – the man already identified by @matlock1914 There are no obvious candidates captured at Salonika , or Gallipoli, Egypt & Palestine. It would seem if he was captured while with the A&SH it was late on in the war when the reporting system was starting to break down, (which would be slightly at odds with a man affected long term by captivity), or somehow he was missed from the repatriation reports, or he was actually serving with another unit. So I’m afraid more clues required. Could you confirm the parents survived the war years and roughly where they might have been living during that period. Cheers, Peter Hi Peter, Many thanks. Both his parents died in 1927. In the tree, as with some others, it says below the mother's name O.SE. Don't know if that's significant. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 42 minutes ago, busterfield said: The/A Macpherson 15427as mentioned by Matlock in the Cameron Highlanders was born,Harlosh 22/2/1893 was captured 28/3/1918. In ICRC as Royal Highlander, but MIC 15427 gived Cameron Highlanders. Many thanks busterfield, Harlosh has a strong family connection but his nearest and elder sibling was born in 1894. His brother's DOB was 20/02/1894. Tree says Donald was born in Duntulm, I assume the place on Skye, and died at Edinbane hospital, again assume the town on Skye. Many thanks for your help and interest. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 36 minutes ago, busterfield said: Macpherson 15427as mentioned by Matlock in the Cameron Highlanders was born,Harlosh 22/2/1893 was captured 28/3/1918. In ICRC as Royal Highlander, but MIC 15427 gived Cameron Highlanders. ??? Did I find him? At ICRC I can currently only find a D, McPHERSON, 15427, 7/Cameron Highlanders - repatriation record - where did you find the other details? ICRC can be a real challenge - not withstanding Mac/Mc. Can you post a link to ICRC please? Can find a MIC for Donald Macpherson 15427, Cam H and a disability pension ledger card for Donald McPherson 15427 Cam H - Born 1893, Address(es) Neilston Rd, Paisley/Balmore, Harlosh by Dunvegan, Skye/ C/o Christie, Fergustie, Paisley - Disability was Gastritis ??? There is a SR for 15427 with a father Alexander Macpherson but again a Paisley address in it. I'm not sure about this man ??? :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 2 minutes ago, Matlock1418 said: ??? Did I find him? At ICRC I can currently only find a D, McPHERSON, 15427, 7/Cameron Highlanders - repatriation record - where did you find the other details? ICRC can be a real challenge - not withstanding Mac/Mc. Can you post a link to ICRC please? Can find a MIC for Donald Macpherson 15427, Cam H and a disability pension ledger card for Donald McPherson 15427 Cam H - Born 1893, Address(es) Neilston Rd, Paisley/Balmore, Harlosh by Dunvegan, Skye/ C/o Christie, Fergustie, Paisley - Disability was Gastritis ??? There is a SR for 15427 with a father Alexander Macpherson but again a Paisley address in it. I'm not sure about this man ??? :-) M Good grief Matlock, You might have found him. There are strong connections to Paisley/Balmore, Harlosh by Dunvegan, Skye. Christie surname is in the tree. Donald's father was Alexander who also had connections with Paisley. Matlock, are you asking me to post the ICRC link? Apologies for my ignorance, I'm not that familiar with forums/this site. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busterfield Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 On 23/04/2021 at 00:10, Matlock1418 said: ??? Did I find him? At ICRC I can currently only find a D, McPHERSON, 15427, 7/Cameron Highlanders - repatriation record - where did you find the other details? ICRC can be a real challenge - not withstanding Mac/Mc. Can you post a link to ICRC please? Can find a MIC for Donald Macpherson 15427, Cam H and a disability pension ledger card for Donald McPherson 15427 Cam H - Born 1893, Address(es) Neilston Rd, Paisley/Balmore, Harlosh by Dunvegan, Skye/ C/o Christie, Fergustie, Paisley - Disability was Gastritis ??? There is a SR for 15427 with a father Alexander Macpherson but again a Paisley address in it. I'm not sure about this man ??? :-) M With the same name and service number as your MacPherson from the ICRC records for the Cameron Highlanders, there is a Macpherson in the ICRC records in the Royal Highlanders. I copied the link, but forgot to paste on my posting. My mistake, along with "gived". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Harlosh said: @FROGSMILE Certainly very more your field than mine ;-) Wonder if you could please help here - trying to identify the regiment OP has been lead to believe Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders A quick websearch rather suggests to me Cameron Highlanders - but only based on a longer curved CAMERONS shoulder title [compared to a shorter straight A&SH] - the tartan leaves me floundering though. ?? Thanks in anticipation. :-) M Edited 22 April , 2021 by Matlock1418 Corrected to A&SH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 On 23/04/2021 at 01:27, Matlock1418 said: @FROGSMILE Certainly very more your field than mine ;-) Wonder if you could please help here - trying to identify the regiment OP has been lead to believe Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders A quick websearch rather suggests to me Cameron Highlanders - but only based on a longer curved CAMERONS shoulder title [compared to a shorter straight AS&H] - the tartan leaves me floundering though. ?? Thanks in anticipation. :-) M Hello M, yes I too think that he’s a Cameron. I don’t see anything unusual about his kilt, it’s how I’d expect it to appear with orthochromatic film rendering the yellow lines indistinguishable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Just now, FROGSMILE said: yes I too think that he’s a Cameron. I don’t see anything unusual about his kilt, it’s how I’d expect it to appear with orthochromatic film rendering the yellow lines indistinguishable. Thanks very much for your swift reply. Glad sorted. :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 1 hour ago, Harlosh said: Matlock, are you asking me to post the ICRC link? Harlosh - No. [And don't forget to read the recent posts re: regiment identity] 57 minutes ago, busterfield said: Busterfield - Thanks for posting image - I'm afraid I still can't find this particular record Hope you can please help OP [and me!] with the link. Here's the other ICRC repatriation record I found earlier for McPherson 15427 Cam Hldrs https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/1313997/3/2 Arrived Dover 29 Dec 1918 then to PoW Reception Camp, Canterbury. :-) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busterfield Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 After apologising for omitting the link and then repeating the mistake. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search/#/3/2/224/0/British and Commonwealth/Military/macpherson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 Many thanks to you all. They should make a television series about you all. The knowledge is quite something. The attached letter might be of interest to some of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlosh Posted 22 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2021 8 minutes ago, busterfield said: After apologising for omitting the link and then repeating the mistake. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search/#/3/2/224/0/British and Commonwealth/Military/macpherson Ha, done that plenty of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittinganddeath Posted 22 April , 2021 Share Posted 22 April , 2021 The specific card pictured above by Busterfield is here: https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/542681/3/2/ Harlosh, if this is indeed your man, then he was captured at Monchy near Arras on 28.3.1918. The record says he was not wounded at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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