U Company, 4th Gordon Highlanders

[Chris_Baker]

1529 Pte James McDonald died at home at the age of 22 in July 1919. According to his medal index card he sailed with the 4th GH on 19 February 1915. He was at some point transferred to become 227485 in the Labour Corps (and true to form his CWGC record shows him with the GH details).

I am trying to figure out his enlistment. I reckon from his number it was 1912-13. But he would be aged only 15-16 at that time. Not impossible.

I wonder though whether he actually joined while at university, and whether he served with U Company. Could any Gordons experts out there throw any light on this?

[charlesmessenger]

Chris

He is not listed as a member of U Coy in John McConachie's The Student Soldiers, which relates the history of this coy.

Worth pointing out that the author Eric Linklater joined the 4th Gordons in spring 1914, while a 15 year-old grammar school boy.

Charles M

[Chris_Baker]

Thanks, Charles.