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Facts and Events
Occupation: Plumber, Private Seaforth Highlanders
Known as 'Willie' according to Dario Leslie
Army Service Records
From 26 Dec 1887 to 31 Aug 1889 and from 29 Apr 1904 to 30 Jun 1908 William was a private in the 1st Sutherland Highland Rifle Volunteers.
He signed on for service in the 5th Seaforth Highlanders Territorials on 25 Dec 1908
From 24 Dec 1912 to 24 Dec 1913 he was a private in the 5th Seaforth Highlanders and he signed on again on 24 Dec 1913.
He attended annual training each June in 1910, 1912, 1913 and 1914.
His Military History Sheet states he had 6 years 127 days service from 25 Dec 1908 to 30 Apr 1915 at Home.
From 1 May 1915 he served in the Expeditionary force until 9 Nov 1915. From 10 Nov 1915 until 24 Dec 1915 he was at Home. A Total of 7 years 68 days service.
5 Aug 1914 he was 'embodied' and served in WW1 Until discharge on 24 Dec 1915 permanently unfit for service with TB
He embarked 1 May 1915 and was admitted to hospital 13 Jun 1915 probably with a minor injury.
Readmitted to hospital 6 Nov 1915 as he had had coughs, colds and sweating since September
10 Nov 1915 Transferred to England.
13 Dec 1915 Medical Board discharged him as unfit for duty. Phthisis
Admitted to pension 16 Mar 1916. 25 shillings plus 2/6 for children.
The Sutherland Highland Rifle Volunteers was raised in 1859, and in 1864 it became the 1st (administrative) battalion, Sutherland Rifle Volunteers, based in Golspie; it consisted of 5 companies, based at Golspie, Dornoch, Brora, Rogart and Bonar Bridge. In 1867 the battalion adopted the Sutherland tartan kilt and belted plaid. The 5th Bonar Bridge Company was formed in 1868. These were part-time soldiers, not Regular Army units.
In 1881, the battalion was incorporated into the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, a Territorial Army unit based in Fort George. However it retained its distinctive name, tartan and cap badge, and its association with Sutherland. It fought in the Boer War along with the 2nd Seaforths. On 1st April 1908 the 1st battalion, Sutherland Rifle Volunteers was disbanded and between 1908 and 1914 was known as the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.
In 1914, the 1/5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion was mobilised and moved to France in May 1915 as part of the 51st Highland Division, where it fought in some of the fiercest battles of the 1914-18 war after which it was disbanded. The 1st Battalion consisted of solfiers who had volunteered for overseas service.
From http://www.historylinks.org.uk/Suthvolunteers.htm
1/5th (The Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion
August 1914 : When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base at Golspie, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford on 15th August. They were part of Seaforth & Cameron Brigade in the Highland Division
2 May 1915 : landed in France.
12 May 1915 : formation retitled to 152nd Brigade in 51st (Highland) Division
At Richebourg and Festubert in trenches. Later in Albert area. See War Diary of 5th Seaforths for details.
From Scottish War Graves Website 2007:
MacKAY, William
Rank: Private (Sniper)
Regimental Number: 217
Unit: 1/5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. T.F.
Died: Phthisis. 29.1.1918 Roslin Street Temperance Hotel, Brora
Age: 44
Parents: John MacKay (Crofter) and Williamina (Ross) MacKay of West Clyne
Spouse: Jane 'Jeannie' (Mowall Murray) MacKay of Roslyn Street, Brora
Born: Clyne 1873
Home: Brora
Occupation: Plumber
Enlisted: Brora 25.12.08 in 5th Seaforth Highlanders T.F.
Mobilised: August 1914
Arrived in France: 1.5.15
Discharged: Medical grounds 24.12.15. On sick list until death
Medals awarded: 1914-15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal
Buried: Buried in Brora Cemetery. (Funeral 1.2.18 )
Memorials: Listed on the Clyne War Memorial
Listed on the Clyne Parish Church War Memorial, Brora
Commemorated on the family headstone, Brora cemetery. (2 sons died in 1912 (Donald) and 1918(James))
(Not recorded in the Clan Mackay Society War Memorial Roll of Honour)
Private MacKay has a CWGC headstone and he is also Commemorated on the family headstone next to it.
Note that by 1918 her husband and two sons were dead but Jane Murray lived until 1963
Obituary of William Mackay Northern Times Thurs 31 January 1918
The Late Private William Mackay, Brora
We regret to announce the death of Private William Mackay, son of the late Mr John Mackay, West Clyne, Brora, and brother of Lt. Andrew Mackay, Golspie. The sad event took place on Tuesday.
From boyhood the deceased served in the Volunteer and territorial Forces. In 1914 when the Territorial Battalion was mobilised he went with them to Bedford and afterwards to France. Being a splendid shot he was put on special duty as a sniper and in that capacity rendered effective service to his country. He was slightly wounded and sent to the hospital at Albert.
When in hospital the demand for skilled tradesmen became urgent and Pte. Mackay was transferred to the Engineers where he was able to render good service. In 1915 he was invalided home and has been on the sick list ever since. Before the war he worked as a plumber in Brora in cooperation with his brother Lt Andrew Mackay, Golspie. He was married and leaves a widow and 6 of a family, his eldest son James was called up when he attained military age and is at present serving in Italy. Sincere sympathy is expressed with the relatives in their irreparable loss.
Notice on the front page under 'Deaths'
MACKAY At the Temperance Hotel, Rosslyn Street, Brora on 28 Jan after a severe illness, contracted in France. William Mackay late Seaforth Highlanders. Funeral on Friday Feb 1st at 12 noon
References
- ↑ Certificate (1).
- ↑ Clyne Lair Records.
- (see notes).
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