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Mackay / Mckay


KAYJAY

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Are you also researching M'Cay / M'Kay as a variation on the name? There wree a few of them about as well.

Hello Duckman,

M'Kay yes, M'Cay no.

The reason is that M'Kay is just an old fashioned way of writing McKay/Mackay,

and is generally accepted to be of the Mackay clan.

M'Cay on the other hand is not generally regarded as being of the same clan but of Irish rather than Scots derivation.

Many Mackays who moved to Ireland dropped the A of Mackay because of the difference in the Irish and the Scots way of writing the names.

Most Scots are Macks whereas most Irish are Micks. (Ha Ha).

I believe the difference is to do with the difference between Scots and Irish Gaelic which is similar but not quite the same.

Almost all Irish Mack Surnames start with Mc and most Scots Mack surnames start with Mac. (In both cases Mac or Mc means "son of" as in Macdonald being son of Donald).

MacKay is an anglicised version of MacAoidh which is still the way it is written in Gaelic today. (Aoidh is generally accepted as being an old fashioned way of saying Hugh). Some historians believe that the Mackay Clan decends from King MacBeth of Shakespear's Play or MacBeath as it was then.

About the year 1100 or so there was a Northern Scottish King called Aoidh.

(He only lasted about 5 years or so before he was forcibly deposed).

I hope some of the above is of some interest to you.

Regards Ken.

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Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the 16th Battalion, CEF. Their history is 'The History Of The 16th Battalion (The Canadian Scottish) In The Great War, 1914-1919' written by H. M. Urquhart, DSO, MC, ADC and published in 1932. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada and the CWGC. (There's 23 men on the 16th Battalion list, so I'll do them in two parts; here's part one.)

Information from the 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, William Abbott

Regimental number - nil

Final rank CEF - Lieutenant

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Lieutenant

Original unit & date of enlistment - 89th Battalion, March 1, 1916

Regimental record - France, July 1, 1916 to September 12, 1916; Stuck off strength February 18, 1918

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - Wounded, September 6, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 9, 1892

Date of enlistment - March 2, 1916

Original unit - 89th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Angus

Regimental number - 472184

Final rank CEF - Corporal

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Corporal

Original unit & date of enlistment - 65th Battalion, July 20, 1915

Regimental record - France, March 8, 1916 to April 13, 1917; Corporal, October 8, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - Reserve Units, England, April 14, 1917 to January 2, 1919; Stuck off strength February 4, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, April 9, 1917

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 30, 1889

Date of enlistment - July 20, 1915

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, George William

Regimental number - 420089

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 43rd Battalion, January 7, 1915

Regimental record - France, July 17, 1915 to July 30, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - KIA, July 30, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Attestation papers are not on NAC web site yet.

Regimental number on the NAC & CWGC web sites is A20089. The 16th's history lists it as 420089

Information from the CWGC:

Buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Casualty details here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Hugh

Regimental number - 49097

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - Remount Depot, September 22, 1914

Regimental record - France, February 9, 1915 to May 1, 1915, August 27, 1917 to March 4, 1918

Previous or subsequent service - Invalided to Canada December 29, 1918; Stuck off strength July 31, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, April 22, 1915, Wounded, September 14, 1917, Wounded, February 13, 1918

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 8, 1893

Date of enlistment - October 28, 1914

Original unit - Canadian Remount Depot

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Hector William

Regimental number - 420440

Final rank CEF - Sapper

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 43rd Battalion, January 15, 1915

Regimental record - July 17, 1915 to September 8, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - 7th C.R.T., France, January 15, 1918 to January 26, 1919; Stuck off strength March 26, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, December 2, 1915, Wounded, September 4, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 5, 1891

Date of enlistment - January 5, 1915

Original unit - 43rd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, John

Regimental number - 29573

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 16th Battalion, September 22, 1914

Regimental record - France, March 12, 1915 to June 8, 1915

Previous or subsequent service - Reserve Units, England, June 9, 1915 to May 11, 1918; C.F.C., England, May 12, 1918 to December 15, 1818; Stuck off strength February 5, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, May 30, 1915

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - November 14, 1885

Date of enlistment - September 23, 1914

Original unit - 16th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, James Quinton

Regimental number - 29259

Final rank CEF - Staff Sergeant

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 16th Battalion, September 22, 1914

Regimental record - nil

Previous or subsequent service - C.A.M.C., England, March 6, 1915 to August 2, 1917, C.A.M.C., France, August 3, 1917 to March 8, 1918, C.A.M.C., England, March 8, 1918 to August 15, 1919, Staff Sergeant, May 10, 1915, Stuck off strength August 26, 1919

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - March 22, 1886

Date of enlistment - September 23, 1914

Original unit - 16th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Marcus

Regimental number - 29474

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 16th Battalion, September 22, 1914

Regimental record - France, February 9, 1914 to April 29, 1915

Previous or subsequent service - Invalided to Canada, January 21, 1916, Stuck off strength October 13, 1916

Casualty - Wounded, April 22, 1915

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 29, 1883

Date of enlistment - September 7, 1914

Original unit - 16th Battalion

It looks like 29474 Marcus MacKay enlisted again

Date of enlistment - August 13, 1917

Next Unit - not listed

Attestation papers (both) here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Norman

Regimental number - 2368304

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba Regiment, April 5, 1917

Regimental record - France, September 5, 1918 to October 1, 1918

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - KIA, October 1, 1918

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 16, 1891

Date of enlistment - April 5, 1917

Original unit - Forestry Draft, Revelstoke, B.C.

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Buried at Neves Communal Cemetery Extension

Casualty details here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Robert James

Regimental number - 718810

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 107th Battalion, March 16, 1916

Regimental record - France, July 3, 1918 to September 15, 1918

Previous or subsequent service - 107th Battalion and 2nd Battalion C.E., France, February 25, 1917 to July 2, 1918, invalided to Canada, December 19, 1918, Stuck off strength June 2, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, September 9. 1918

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - May 23, 1885

Date of enlistment - March 16, 1916

Original unit - 107th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Garth

P.S. - I found the death of 2368304 Norman MacKay particularly sad.

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Hi Ken:

Here's part two.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Angus

Regimental number - 736139

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 113th battalion, December 7, 1915

Regimental record - France, November 11, 1916 to January 5, 1919; Struck off strength April 24, 1919

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 8, 1880

Date of enlistment - December 7, 1915

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Archibald Alexander Stewart

Regimental number - 15331

Final rank CEF - Corporal, Acting Sergeant

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Corporal

Original unit & date of enlistment - 6th Battalion, September 22,1914

Regimental record - France, Aril 26, 1915 to October 17, 1915; September 5, 1916 to October 10, 1916; Corporal, November 14, 1914

Previous or subsequent service - Reserve Units, England, October 11, 1916 to March 22, 1919; Acting Sergeant, October 20, 1918; Struck off strength April 3, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, October 8, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 11, 1887

Date of enlistment - September 24, 1914

Original unit - 6th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Carman

Regimental number - 130196

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 72nd Battalion, January 3, 1916

Regimental record - France, June 18, 1916 to September 17, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - Reserve Units, England, September 18, 1916 to February 26, 1918; Struck off strength June 26, 1918

Casualty - Wounded, September 7, 1917

Information from the NAC:

Attestation papers are not on NAC web site yet.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Donald M.

Regimental number - 77151

Final rank CEF - Major

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Lance Corporal

Original unit & date of enlistment - 30th Battalion, November 11, 1914

Regimental record - France, April 26, 1915 to June 14, 1915

Previous or subsequent service - C.O.C., France, June 15, 1915 to May 30, 1919; Sub. Conductor, W.O.I., December 24, 1916; Lieutenant, May 13, 1917; Captain, April 13, 1918; Acting Major, April 13, 1918; Major, January 1, 1919; D.A.D.O.S., April 13, 1918; O.B.E., Despatches (3 times); Struck off strength July 27, 1919

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Wasn't listed by regimental number or name on NAC web site.

From 'Mentioned in Despatches of the CEF' by Edward H. Wigney

Name: MacKay D. M.

Regimental number - nil

Rank - Acting Major

Unit - Staff, Canadian Ordinance Corps

London Gazette #31448

Date - July 8, 1919

Regimental number - nil

Rank - Lieutenant

Unit - Canadian Ordinance Corps

London Gazette #30706

Date - May 28, 1918

Regimental number - 77151

Rank - Sub. Conductor

Unit - Canadian Ordinance Corps

London Gazette #30107

Date - June 1, 1917

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, George

Regimental number - 151852

Final rank CEF - Sergeant

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 79th Battalion, August 21, 1915

Regimental record - France, June 28, 1916 to October 8, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - 4th C.R.T., February 24, 1917 to January 26, 1919; Sergeant, August 1, 1916; Struck off strength March 29,1919

Casualty - Wounded, September 7, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 9, 1887

Date of enlistment - August 21, 1915

Original unit - 79th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Hugh

Regimental number - 871451

Final rank CEF - Corporal

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Corporal

Original unit & date of enlistment - 183rd Battalion, March 10, 1916

Regimental record - France, April 14, 1917 to March 26, 1919; Corporal, February 22, 1919; Struck off strength March 29, 1919

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - March 14, 1877

Date of enlistment - March 10, 1916

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, John

Regimental number - 472035

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 65th Battalion, July 17, 1915

Regimental record - France, March 8, 1916 to April 24, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - KIA, April 24, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 4, 1876

Date of enlistment - July 17, 1915

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Buried at Bedford House Cemetery

Casualty details here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, John

Regimental number - 2503129

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - Canadian Forestry Corps, December 3, 1917

Regimental record - France, November 16, 1918 to January 9, 1919; Struck off strength March 28, 1919

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - March 18, 1889

Date of enlistment - December 3, 1917

Original unit - No. 10 Forestry & Railway Construction Depot

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Leslie Alexander

Regimental number - 77055

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 30th Battalion, November 7, 1914

Regimental record - France, April 26, 1915 to March 3, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - KIA, March 3, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 8, 1894

Date of enlistment - November 7, 1914

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery extension (Nord)

Casualty details here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Norman

Regimental number - 420875

Final rank CEF - 2/Corporal

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 43rd Battalion, December 18, 1914

Regimental record - France, July 17, 1915 to December 16, 1915

Previous or subsequent service - 1st Field Company C.E., France, December 17, 1915 to June 11, 1916; 2nd Field Company C.E., France, September 8, 1916 to April 10, 1918; 2/Corporal, September 19, 1917; M.M.; Struck off strength April 2, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, June 12, 1916, Wounded, August 16, 1917, Wounded, April 2, 1918

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 27, 1890

Date of enlistment - December 18, 1914

Original unit - 43rd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Spurgeon

Regimental number - 736402

Final rank CEF - Private

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 113th Battalion, January 29, 1916

Regimental record - France, November 12, 1916 to April 9, 1917

Previous or subsequent service - nil

Casualty - KIA, April 9, 1917

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 9, 1878

Date of enlistment - January 29, 1916

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Remembered at the Vimy Memorial

Casualty details here.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, William

Regimental number - 721027

Final rank CEF - Sapper

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 108th Battalion, November 15, 1915

Regimental record - France, April 14, 1917 to November 14, 1917

Previous or subsequent service - 13th C.R.T., France, March 28, 1918 to January 3, 1919; Struck off strength April 27, 1919

Casualty - Wounded, August 15, 1917, Wounded, November 8, 1917

Information from the NAC:

Attestation papers are not on NAC web site yet.

Information from 16th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Robert John

Regimental number - 420321

Final rank CEF - Sapper

Highest rank held in 16th Bn. - Private

Original unit & date of enlistment - 43rd Battalion, December 24, 1914

Regimental record - France, October 26, 1915 to April 19, 1916

Previous or subsequent service - 5th Army Troops Company C.E., France, June 29, 1917 to March 10, 1919; Struck off strength July 4, 1919

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 13, 1893

Date of enlistment - December 24, 1914

Original unit - 43rd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

I'll work on the 44th Battalion list next week.

Garth

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102nd Battalion, CEF....

Information from 102nd history:

Regimental number - 704135

Name - Mackay, Daniel Reid (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Rank - Corporal

Unit history - Evacuated sick January 19, 1917 to England

Address - Pittentrail, Broomfield, Rogat, Sutherland, Scotland

Garth

Just for your info Pittentrail is in the Parish of Rogart not 'Rogat'. Also it is quite common in Mac surnames for people to use lower case so you can find MacKays, Mackays, McKays and M'Kays!

Cheers

Adam

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Just for your info Pittentrail is in the Parish of Rogart not 'Rogat'. Also it is quite common in Mac surnames for people to use lower case so you can find MacKays, Mackays, McKays and M'Kays!

Hi Adam:

Thanks for pointing out the spelling error. I went back to the 102nd's history and found that's were the error was made. They dropped the 'r' and spelled it Rogat.

What about the use of the lower case 'k' in McKay (Mckay)?

Garth

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Kayjay,

I dopn't suppose your research has extended to McKie has it !? (also sometimes M'Kie)

I'm trying to find an Andrew McKie who was still young in 1918, possibly that's the year he joined up. He vcame from somewhere near Dalbeattie.

Julian

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Kayjay,

I dopn't suppose your research has extended to McKie has it !? (also sometimes M'Kie)

Sorry Julian,

The Mackies / Mckies are a totally diferent clan.

Regards Ken.

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Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the 64th Battalion, CEF. Their history is 'The Story of The 64th Battalion, c.e.f. 1915-1916' by Lt. Col. George C. Machum. The 64th was absorbed by several Reserve Battalions and the 40th Battalion. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada and the CWGC.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - Mackay, Carroll Everett (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 470264

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Sussex, New Brunswick - September 17, 1915

Died on active service.

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - December 27, 1895

Date of enlistment - September 15, 1915

Original unit - 64th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Date of death - August 17, 1916

Unit - 26th Battalion

Buried at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery

Casualty details here.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, Thomas Frederick Bertrand

Regimental number - 469572

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Sussex, New Brunswick - September 1, 1915

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 31, 1894

Date of enlistment - September 1, 1915

Original unit - 64th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - Mackay, James Currie (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 469425

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Sydney, Nova Scotia - August 24, 1915

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - June 8, 1890

Date of enlistment - August 24, 1915

Original unit - 64th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Edward

Regimental number - 471079

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Halifax, Nova Scotia - February 12, 1916

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 12, 1871

Date of enlistment - February 12, 1916

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - Mckay, Linden Robert

Regimental number - 470502

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Sussex, New Brunswick - September 23, 1915

Died on active service.

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - June 23, 1892

Date of enlistment - September 23, 1915

Original unit - 64th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Date of death - April 15, 1917

Unit - 24th Battalion

Buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery

Casualty details here.

Information from the 64th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Robert N.

Regimental number - 470104

Rank - Private

Taken on strength - Sussex, New Brunswick - August 28, 1915

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - May 25, 1897

Date of enlistment - September 13, 1915

Original unit - 64th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Garth

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Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the 44th Battalion, CEF. Their history is 'Six Thousand Canadian Men: Bring the History of The 44th Battalion Canadian Infantry 1914-1919' compiled and edited by E. S. Russenholt and published in 1932. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada and the CWGC.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Alexander Hugh

Regimental number - 461332

Rank - Private

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Disposition and date - Medically unfit*, August 20, 1918

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - March 1, 1891

Date of enlistment - January 5, 1916

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Angus

Regimental number - 1000510

Rank - Private

Original unit - 226th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, May 16, 1919

Theatre of service - France (Prisoner of War)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - May 17, 1880

Date of enlistment - January 25, 1916

Original unit - 226th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Bert Pleasanse

Regimental number - 461366

Rank - Private

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, February 11, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 3, 1896

Date of enlistment - January 18, 1916

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Charles Henry

Regimental number - 127263

Rank - Private

Original unit - 71st Battalion

Disposition and date - Medically unfit*, July 3, 1918

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

NOTE - This man served as ANSLOW, CHARLES HENRY/MCKAY, CHARLES HENRY

Date of birth - July 16, 1892

Date of enlistment - September 29, 1916

Original unit - 71st Battalion

Attestation papers (both) here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Christopher

Regimental number - 622093

Rank - Corporal

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, June 25, 1919

Theatre of service - France (U.K. 44th Battalion)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 23, 1888

Date of enlistment - December 17, 1914

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Clarence Kenneth

Regimental number - 902293

Rank - Private

Original unit - 193rd Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, April 18, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 27, 1898

Date of enlistment - April 18, 1916

Original unit - 193rd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, George Logan

Regimental number - 234451

Rank - Private

Original unit - 203rd Battalion

Disposition and date - KIA, August 22, 1917

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 9, 1891

Date of enlistment - March 20, 1916

Original unit - not listed

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Buried at Loos British Cemetery

Casualty details here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, George Scott

Regimental number - 622422

Rank - Acting Corporal

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, January 23, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - November 28, 1896

Date of enlistment - April 24, 1915

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, James (Jr.)

Regimental number - 229409

Rank - Sergeant

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, May 13, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - May 8. 1888

Date of enlistment - September 8, 1915

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, James Campbell

Regimental number - 622217

Rank - Private

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, June 6, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 17, 1885

Date of enlistment - March 19, 1915

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, John

Regimental number - 892640

Rank - Private

Original unit - 190th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, June 24, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - June 22, 1889

Date of enlistment - November 15, 1916

Original unit - 190th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, John Alex

Regimental number - 423366

Rank - Private

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - Medically unfit*, February 23, 1917

Theatre of service - France (29th Battalion) (Prisoner of War)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 1, 1889

Date of enlistment - June 8, 1915

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, John Edward

Regimental number - 622984

Rank - Private

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, March 27, 1919

Theatre of service - France (U.K. 44th Battalion)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 21, 1882

Date of enlistment - September 23, 1915

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Murdock Fred

Regimental number - 460579

Rank - Private

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, February 28, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - March 27, 1891

Date of enlistment - July 5, 1915

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - Mackay, Robert Martin (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 422749

Rank - Private

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Disposition and date - KIA, March 31, 1917

Theatre of service - France (2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 6, 1896

Date of enlistment - April 19, 1915

Original unit - 44th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CWGC:

Remembered at the Vimy Memorial

Casualty details here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Roderick Orme

Regimental number - 460801

Rank - Private

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Disposition and date - Medically unfit*, November 26, 1918

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 6, 1893

Date of enlistment - August 27, 1915

Original unit - 61st Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Stewart Duncan

Regimental number - 291455

Rank - Private

Original unit - 222nd Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, April 11, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 12, 1896

Date of enlistment - February 15, 1916

Original unit - 222nd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - MacKay, William

Regimental number - 830684

Rank - Private

Original unit - 144th Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, May 26, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - October 29, 1889

Date of enlistment - April 5, 1916

Original unit - 144th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 44th Bn. history:

Name - Mckay, William Thomas

Regimental number - 291330

Rank - Private

Original unit - 222nd Battalion

Disposition and date - Demobilized, May 26, 1919

Theatre of service - France

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - August 10, 1893

Date of enlistment - January 25, 1916

Original unit - 222nd Battalion

Attestation papers here.

*Medically unfit, by reason of wounds or sickness.

Garth

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Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers reorganized as the 6th Battalion, Canadian Engineers. Their history is 'From The Rideau To The Rhine And Back: The 6th Company and Battalion Canadian Engineers in the Great War' compiled by K. Weatherbe and published in 1928. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada

Information from the 6th FC/Bn. history:

Name - Mackay, Alexander Allen (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 651930

Rank - Sapper or Driver

Honours - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - July 8, 1894

Date of enlistment - March 9, 1916

Original unit - 160th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 6th FC/Bn. history:

Name - Mackay, Charles Archibald (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 166023

Rank - Sapper or Driver

Honours - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - November 1, 1882

Date of enlistment - September 24, 1915

Original unit - 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 6th FC/Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Alver

Regimental number - 2006278

Rank - Sapper or Driver

Honours - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 15, 1881

Date of enlistment - June 13, 1917

Original unit - Canadian Engineers (unit not listed)

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 6th FC/Bn. history:

Name - McKay, John

Regimental number - 454195

Rank - Sapper or Driver

Honours - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - December 21, 1877

Date of enlistment - April 23, 1915

Original unit - 59th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Information from the 6th FC/Bn. history:

Name - McKay, Walter Scott

Regimental number - 651263

Rank - Sapper or Driver

Honours - nil

Casualty - nil

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - April 26, 1897

Date of enlistment - January 4, 1916

Original unit - 160th Battalion

Attestation papers here.

Garth

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Hi Ken:

I think I was remiss in not explaining the reason for the discrepancy in the regimental numbers (A20089 and 420089) for George William MacKay of the 16th battalion.

Originally 37 CEF infantry battalions used the letter 'A' at the beginning of their regimental numbers. George MacKay enlisted with the 43rd Battalion and their block of regimental numbers was A20001 to A22000. These numbers were later changed to 420001 to 422000.

As point of interest, three other units originally had letters at the beginning if the regimental numbers. 'McG' was used by the 2nd and 3rd University Companies (McGill University), 'R' was used by the Remount Depot and 'TK' was used by the 1st Tank Battalion. These letters were later dropped as well.

Garth

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Hi Garth,

Phew, I have finally finished adding all the Information you have posted to my database.

Some comments for your interest.

You mentioned that you found the death of Pte 2368304 Norman Mackay of the 16th Battalion particularly sad, he only being 26 days with the unit when he was killed.

I'm sure this happened with many men, new to the front and had not yet learned to be as wary as the experienced men.

Regarding this particular Norman he came from the parish of Barvas on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. He had two brothers who also served, His Brother Donald was an R.S.M. with the 7th Seaforth Highlanders, he was discharged due to wounds and acted as a recruiting officer in Edinburgh.

His other Brother Murdo served as a Seaman with the Royal Naval Reserve during the war. So at least two of the three brothers came home after the war.

One of the men from the 44th Battalion Sgt 229409 James Mckay was decorated twice with the D.C.M. on 01/01/18 and the M.M. on 23/02/18.

Three of the other men you gave information about were also awarded the M.M. One from the 16th Battalion, One from the 102nd Battalion and one from the P.P.C.L.I.

I have also been working on a Mackay record of sacrifice for the first war and as near as I can tell the Clan Mackay lost 1,150 men and 1 woman (a Canadian Nursing Sister) due to active service during the war.

The youngest were just 16 (2 off - 1 Canadian, 1 Scot) and the oldest was 59 (East African Forces).

I believe that well over 8,000 of us served in the various services (including the U.S.A. army (of whom 18 died). I have still to gain access to the Naval records for service, although I am aware of all the naval casualties for WW1. so I am sure that that number of 8,000 will still rise by quite a bit.

Regards Ken.

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Guest woodyudet

Hi,

My Great-Grandfather was Private Jack [possibly listed as John] Mackay. He was in the Royal Welch Fusiliers [we believe 3rd battalion - possibly a territorial from Liverpool]. His medals include a 1915 star and we believe he served in France [in 1915?], Ireland [1916?] and Salonika. He survived the war. Any information you could find would be most appreciated. Unfortunately i don't have his number to hand as my father has his medals at present ...

many thanks,

cheers,

woody

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My Great-Grandfather was Private Jack [possibly listed as John] Mackay. He was in the Royal Welch Fusiliers [we believe 3rd battalion - possibly a territorial from Liverpool]. His medals include a 1915 star and we believe he served in France [in 1915?], Ireland [1916?] and Salonika. He survived the war. Any information you could find would be most appreciated. Unfortunately i don't have his number to hand as my father has his medals at present ...

Hi Woody,

There was only two John Mackays who served with the R.W.F. in WW1. (No Jack).

One was K.I.A. 22/04/18.

The other was Private 34179 (Don't know which battalion). He had transferred from the Welsh Regiment (was Pte. 12899).

This man's date of arrival in France with the Welsh Regiment was was 30/11/14. (So he just missed a 1914 Star). (I believe only the 2nd and 6th Battalions could be that date for France).

His Medal Index Card states that he was demobilised on 19/02/1919. I have no record of him being wounded.

Regards Ken.

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You mentioned that you found the death of Pte 2368304 Norman Mackay of the 16th Battalion particularly sad, he only being 26 days with the unit when he was killed.

I'm sure this happened with many men, new to the front and had not yet learned to be as wary as the experienced men.

Regarding this particular Norman he came from the parish of Barvas on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.

Hi Ken:

I saw on Norman McKay's attestation papers he was born in Arnol, Scotland. My wife and I spent half a day walking around the the village of Arnol in 1999. My first thought when I saw this was Norman probably was born in one of the 'black houses' in the village. He then emigrated from the wind swept coast of the Isle of Lewis & Harris to the Rocky Mountains.

He lived in Golden and enlisted in Revelstoke, both beautiful towns in my home province. I don't know, it seems such a shame that this young man left the mountains, forests and rushing rivers of British Columbia to die on the Western Front after only 26 days. For some reason, for me, he epitomizes the waste of human life during the Great War.

Garth

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Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force (CSEF). The history is 'CSEF: Canada's Soldiers In Siberia 1918-1919' compiled and written by J. E. Skuce and published in 1990. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - Mackay, Alexander (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number - 900624

Rank - Rifleman

Unit - 260th Battalion, Canadian Rifles

Transported on - SS Protesliaus

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (December 26, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (January 15, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Regimental number - 904624 (note - The CSEF history uses 900624)

Date of birth - September 8, 1889

Date of enlistment - September 26, 1918

Original unit - Siberian Expeditionary Force

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - MacKay, John Alexander

Regimental number - 2110098

Rank - Private

Unit - 16th Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps

Transported on - SS Madras

Departed - Vancouver, B.C. (January 31, 1919)

Arrived - Vladivostok (February 14, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 28, 1880

Date of enlistment - April 24, 1918

Original unit - Canadian Army Medical Corps (Training Depot No. 13)

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Alexander Duncan

Regimental number - 2771180

Rank - Sergeant

Unit - No. 20 Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Transported on - SS War Charger

Departed - Vancouver, B.C. (November 27, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (December 14, 1918)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - December 18, 1882

Date of enlistment - November 25, 1918

Original unit - No. 20 Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Archibald

Regimental number - 3040641

Rank - Private

Unit - No. 20 Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Transported on - SS Teesta

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (December 22, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (January 12, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 9, 1891

Date of enlistment - August 22, 1918

Original unit - 1st Central Ontario Regiment

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Daniel

Regimental number - 514627

Rank - Sergeant

Unit - Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery

Transported on - SS Teesta

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (December 22, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (January 12, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 2, 1887

Date of enlistment - July 24, 1917

Original unit - No. 2 Canadian Army Veterinary Corps (Mobile Veterinary Section)

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Emerth Porter

Regimental number - 3187588

Rank - Private

Unit - Base Guard

Transported on - SS Empress of Japan

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (October 11, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (October 26, 1918)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - November 19, 1896

Date of enlistment - June 17, 1918

Original unit - First Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - Mckay, Ernest

Regimental number - 2771335

Rank - Corporal

Unit - No. 9 Detachment, Canadian Ordinance Corps

Transported on - SS Empress of Japan

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (October 11, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (October 26, 1918)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 27, 1888

Date of enlistment - June 22, 1918

Original unit - No. 4 Detachment, Canadian Ordinance Corps

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Harold

Regimental number - 3256673

Rank - Private

Unit - Base Guard

Transported on - SS Empress of Japan

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (October 11, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (October 26, 1918)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - September 17, 1892

Date of enlistment - March 4, 1918

Original unit - 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, James William

Regimental number - 3356259

Rank - Rifleman

Unit - 260th Battalion, Canadian Rifles

Transported on - SS Protesliaus

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (December 26, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (January 15, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - January 23, 1889

Date of enlistment - August 29, 1918

Original unit - 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Robert

Regimental number - 2356345

Rank - Private

Unit - No. 20 Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Transported on - SS Teesta

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (December 22, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (January 12, 1919)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - December 5, 1886

Date of enlistment - February 14, 1918

Original unit - 1st Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment

Attestation papers here.

Information from the CSEF history:

Name - McKay, Walter James

Regimental number - 2776059

Rank - Corporal

Unit - No. 9 Detachment, Canadian Ordinance Corps

Transported on - SS Empress of Japan

Departed - Victoria, B.C. (October 11, 1918)

Arrived - Vladivostok (October 26, 1918)

Information from the NAC:

Date of birth - November 17, 1892

Date of enlistment - September 25, 1918

Original unit - Canadian Ordinance Corps

Attestation papers here.

This is the most interesting group of the clan MacKay. For example, 904624 Alexander Mackay tried to enlist in March 1916. The front of his attestation paper is marked "Discharged" and "Never approved" is written on the second page. Yet in September 1918 he volunteers to join the CSEF. What's the story here? He's also another man from Rogart Scotland.

2771180 Alexander Duncan McKay lists his previous military experience as five years in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and seven years in the Royal Canadian Dragoons. This means he probably served on the Western Front. Then he wants to go to Siberia?

Garth

P. S. Any chance of being inducted into the clan MacKay with full clan privileges? :lol:

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I saw on Norman McKay's attestation papers he was born in Arnol, Scotland, it seems such a shame that this young man left the mountains, forests and rushing rivers of British Columbia to die on the Western Front after only 26 days.

Hi Garth,

I was looking into Norman some more myself.

His attestation papers state that his date of birth was 16 Jan 1891. Which would have made him only 27 when he died.

But on the 1881 Census for Barvas (Arnol) he was already 6 years old, so he was really born in 1874/1875. So he was actually about 43 when he died.

I guess he knocked off some years in case they thought he was too old to serve.

The census also shows that he had a sister Mary who was 5 years older than him, as well as his two brothers.

I also spent a week on the Isle of Lewis about 10 years ago and saw the black houses that you mentioned.

Lewis has a certain bleak beauty about it, dosn't it. I was staying in North Tolsta which was not too far away from Arnol.

I walked along miles of empty beaches with not a person in sight. You can drive for ages along little quiet roads without seeing another car and only seeing the occasional small village.

I would guess that at the time he left Lewis, life would have been hard and work scarce its no surprise that many Lewismen and women emigrated to Canada to find something better. My younger brother emigrated to Canada when he was in his early twenties and lives near Toronto today.

Regards Ken.

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P. S. Any chance of being inducted into the clan MacKay with full clan privileges?

Hi Garth,

Firstly, thanks very much for snail mailing me the info on serial numbers, working my way through it.

Secondly, regading the clan Mackay, there is an ancient highland custom that families who were friends and allies to one of the larger clans, would either become a sept of the larger clan or would simply adopt the surname.

So the way I see it you have two choices.

The most drastic way is to change your surname to the parent clan or much easier just delare your family to be friends and allies in which case as a sept of the parent clan you are entitled to full clan rights and privileges including if you have no tartan of your own to wear that of the parent clan.

Lastly, you mentioned in your last post about Alexander Duncan Mackay, on my database I have a note that he also had the serial number 2675. So it could well be that he had previous service with that serial number.

Ken.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Ken:

Here's the list of McKay/MacKay's from the 2nd CMR, CEF. Their history is 'The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Horse) In France And Flanders 1914-1919' from the records of Lt.-Col. G. Chalmers Johnston, D.S.O., M.C. and published in 1931. Additional information is from the National Archives of Canada and the CWGC.

From the 2nd CMR history:

Name: McKay, Alexander

Regimental number: 435660

Rank: Private

Regimental history: Wounded August 18, 1916 (Observation Ridge); wounded September 29, 1916 (Hessian Trench); wounded August 30, 1917 (Cite St. Pierre); wounded August 8, 1918 (Demuin [south-East of Amiens])

From the NAC:

Date born: August 15, 1890

Date enlisted: September 1, 1915

Original unit: 50th Battalion

Attestation papers are here.

From the 2nd CMR history:

Name: McKay, Percival Albert

Regimental number: 117392

Rank: Private - Corporal

Regimental history: KIA Poziers Trenches, September 16, 1916

From the NAC:

Date born: December 10, 1887

Date enlisted: July 4, 1915

Original unit: 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Attestation papers are here.

From the CWGC:

Date of death: September 16, 1916

Cemetery: Serre Road Cemetery No. 2

Casualty details are here.

From the 2nd CMR history:

Name: Mackay, Robert Martin (note - lower case 'k' used in last name)

Regimental number: 422749

Rank: Private

Regimental history: KIA Vimy Ridge (raid), March 31, 1917

From the NAC:

Date born: January 6, 1896

Date enlisted: April 19, 1915

Original unit: 44th Battalion

Attestation papers are here.

From the CWGC:

Date of death: March 31, 1917

Remembered at the Vimy Memorial

Casualty details are here.

From the 2nd CMR history:

Name: McKay, James Scott Mitchell

Regimental number: 464146

Rank: Private - Lance Corporal

Regimental history: KIA Hessian Trench, September 29, 1916

From the NAC:

Date born: June 28, 1891

Date enlisted: August 30, 1915

Original unit: 62nd Battalion

Attestation papers are here.

From the CWGC:

Date of death: September 29, 1916

Remembered at the Vimy Memorial

Casualty details are here.

From the 2nd CMR history:

Name: McKay, John

Regimental number: 706505

Rank: Private

Regimental history: Nil

From the NAC:

Date born: July 14, 1896

Date enlisted: January 3, 1916

Original unit: 103rd Battalion

Attestation papers are here.

435660 Alexander McKay is an interesting story. Wounded four time (like clock work every August) and he seems to have survived the war. Do you have any additional information on Alexander?

Garth

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Hi Garth,

Thanks for the 2nd C.M.R. Info.

You mentioned 435660 Alexander Mckay.

He was the son of David & Mary Mackay of 17 High Street, Elgin.

(Elgin is a smallish town not far from Inverness, Scotland).

His Brother Private 435807 David Mackay (note Spelling) also served with the 31st Battalion. (2nd Calgary). He was also wounded at least once around August/September 1916, and he also apparently survived the war.

David was also awarded the Military Medal (L.G. 24/01/1919).

Regards Ken.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Ken:

I found this little gem in a used book store this morning for $5.00 CDN (£2.08), 'Record of Service University of British Columbia 1914-1918' published 1924. It's given me some additional information on two men I've been researching who came from Vancouver. There was also one man from your clan listed:

McKay, Angus Howard

McGill Colleges of British Columbia, Arts and Science, 1909-1911; 1914-1915

University of British Columbia, Science, 1915-1916

Canadian Army Service Corps, Vancouver, Reinforcements, Private, February 1917. Discharged, Sergeant, August 1919. No further details available.

From the NAC:

Serial number: 2004248

Date born: June 16, 1894

Date enlisted: February 10, 1917

Original unit: Canadian Army Service Corps, Reinforcement Draft

Attestation papers are here.

Garth

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I would be enormously grateful for anything you have on a James Edward Mackay, commissioned 2Lieut. (on probation) in the 1/4 Bn. of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 26 January 1916, from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was awarded the MC as recorded in the London Gazette of 1 January 1919, at that time listed as Lt. (A./Capt.). He was my grandfather, and I am conducting research into his war service.

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Hi Mat:

I checked the PPCLI's nominal roll and there is only one James MacKay listed:

21647 Pte. James MacKay

Original unit: 11th Battalion, CEF

Joined the PPCLI in the field: August, 1915

Struck off strength: January 26, 1919

You can check his CEF attestation papers here.

Please note, the National Archives of Canada and the PPCLI nominal roll spell his name McKay, however James writes his last name MacKay.

I'm sure Ken will provide you with the information you're looking for.

Garth

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