 | 45 |
 | Park School History Publications |
 | 1939 |
 |
Seaforth Highlanders
Back Row: Ackie Ross (Millcraig), Richard Geddes, Murdo Murray, Dune MacDonald, Colin Ross (Saltburn), ?, Ronnie Fraser.
Middle Row: Willie Ross (Decko), Ackie Urquhart (Saltburn), Andrew Shivas, Jack Rhind, Dave McCulloch, George Munro (Alness), Bobby Speed, Arthur Riach, Hugh Morrison, Sandy MacLennan, Paul Calder, Dune Urquhart, Ali Mitchell (Alness), Jocky Duff, Davie Ross, Andrew Fraser, Roddie MacDonald.
Front Row: Jonny Shivas, Colin Urquhart, Sgt. Kenny Ross, Capt. McBeath, Reid Ross, Davie Beaumont, Willie Pirie.
Picture Added on 17 April 2004.
Comments
Truly amazing! Richard Geddes was my cousin but I never met him (and never seen a picture of him)as he died before I was born. He was trapped in France with the Highland Division when the rest of the British Army was evacuated from Dunkirk. Most of the Division was captured at St Valery in Normandy. Richard was killed on June the 6th 1940 near Abbeville in a futile attempt to take the town back from the advancing German army. I visited his grave last year and felt great sorrow for the loss of a relative I never knew. He was always talked about in family conversations and seemed to be a very popular person.The story of why the Highlanders did not get away from Dunkirk is thought to have been due to Churchill putting them under the command of the French Generals to give them the (false) impression that the British Army would stay to fight the Germans. The Seaforths were disbanded sometime in the 60s. They wore the MacKenzie tartan and were based at Fort George. I guess many of the soldiers in this picture were killed or became prisoners in Polish salt mines.
Added by Bill Geddes on 24 December 2004.
Added by Bill Geddes on 24 December 2004.
My uncle also served with the Seaforths, but is not listed above. Can anyone please confirm if this is the 4th Btn? His name was James (known as Jimmy) Fletcher. He died on 4th June 1940, also near Abbeville, and we have no photographs of him either. If I could only find out if he is in this photo it would be brilliant! - and I can show my mum.
kind regards,
Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 13 May 2005.
kind regards,
Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 13 May 2005.
Name is spelt wrong - should be Maclellan not Maclennan.
Added by Anon on 03 June 2005.
Added by Anon on 03 June 2005.
Sitting second from the left in the front row is my uncle Colin Urquhart, who still lives in Gordon Terrace, Invergordon, with his wife Dot and son Ross.
Added by John Urquhart on 5th October 2005
Added by John Urquhart on 05 October 2005.
Added by John Urquhart on 5th October 2005
Added by John Urquhart on 05 October 2005.
Well it's a small world John! (see my entry of December 24 2004). For several years my family lived next door to your Uncle and Aunt in Gordon Terrace. I hope they are well and could you pass on my best regards? I never knew Colin was an army comrade of my cousin - I wonder if my Mother and father knew this? I remember Colin had a lucky escape in the early 50s when he worked for Balfour Beatty at one of the Hydro dams. The truck taking workmen to the site one morning was crushed by a falling telegraph pole just outside Dingwall and I believe there were fatalities.
Added by Billy Geddes on 14 October 2005.
Added by Billy Geddes on 14 October 2005.
It was nice to hear from you Billy. This site is very interesting. I did not realise that Colin worked at the Hydro dams. If I can find out anymore about this picture I will let you know. Billy, still remember the skiffle band at the back of your house in Gordon Terrace.
Added by John Urquhart on 18 October 2005.
Added by John Urquhart on 18 October 2005.
John, if we had only tried harder! I must have been one of the few kids in the Highlands with access to a guitar in the mid fifties. I was rubbish then and still can't play competently! WE COULD HAVE BEEN STARS!!!!
Added by Billy Geddes on 19 October 2005.
Added by Billy Geddes on 19 October 2005.
In reply to Lorna who posted an earlier message - I have just posted a picture of the grave of Richard Geddes and I notice I got the date of his death wrong as Richard's gravestone states June 4th. I guess he was killed in the same action as your uncle. I don't know if they were in the 4th battalion but this info should be easily obtained from the Seaforth Museum at Fort George.
Added by Bill Geddes on 04 March 2006.
Added by Bill Geddes on 04 March 2006.
Yes it should be Sandy Maclellan not Maclennan.........middle row 10th from left.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 13 April 2006.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 13 April 2006.
Thanks for the info Bill (only just found the message as I have changed my email address). I cannot find the picture you mentioned - is it in France? (My Uncle doesn't have a grave).
But anyway, just a quick note to let you know that I enquired at Fort George some time ago and was directed to the museum in Dingwall, who apparently have a lot of info on the 4th Seaforths. The Museum promised (a year ago) that they would find what info they could and get back to me. despite being in touch with them several times after that, they never told me one way or another if they could find anything. All they did say was that they had not looked yet. I decided to give up when they closed for winter at the end of last year....
Added by Lorna on 21 April 2006.
But anyway, just a quick note to let you know that I enquired at Fort George some time ago and was directed to the museum in Dingwall, who apparently have a lot of info on the 4th Seaforths. The Museum promised (a year ago) that they would find what info they could and get back to me. despite being in touch with them several times after that, they never told me one way or another if they could find anything. All they did say was that they had not looked yet. I decided to give up when they closed for winter at the end of last year....
Added by Lorna on 21 April 2006.
Hello Lorna, it is disappointing to hear that the Museum have not helped. I have had a look on the Web and I can confirm that your Uncle was in the 4th Battalion of the Seaforths. His service number was 2822820--My cousin was in the 4th also but a year older than James when he was killed.
My cousin is buried in the small Mareuil-Caubert cemetary on the D3 just 6 miles South of Abbeville. There are 65 graves here and about 25 of the bodies were not identified ie "unknown". I guess there is a strong possibilty that one of these is your uncle given that he was in the same unit and died on the same day as my cousin. It is a lovely little spot, very peacefull and well kept.
The action they were involved in was a hopeless attempt to seize Abbevillle back from the Germans. It failed partly because they were part of a mixed group involving French troops and there was very poor co-ordination during their attack. (One of the leading French officers was Colonel de Gaulle who of course eventually became President of France.
Your Uncle is remembered on the Dunkirk war memorial (in France)--presumably because he has no known grave--however he would have had no involvement in the Dunkirk evacuation because the Highland Division did not make it to Dunkirk and the Jocks were still fighting in France, days after the last soldier had been taken from Dunkirk beach. One of those little bits of hidden history which it suited the authorities to cover up....
Added by Bill Geddes on 23 April 2006.
My cousin is buried in the small Mareuil-Caubert cemetary on the D3 just 6 miles South of Abbeville. There are 65 graves here and about 25 of the bodies were not identified ie "unknown". I guess there is a strong possibilty that one of these is your uncle given that he was in the same unit and died on the same day as my cousin. It is a lovely little spot, very peacefull and well kept.
The action they were involved in was a hopeless attempt to seize Abbevillle back from the Germans. It failed partly because they were part of a mixed group involving French troops and there was very poor co-ordination during their attack. (One of the leading French officers was Colonel de Gaulle who of course eventually became President of France.
Your Uncle is remembered on the Dunkirk war memorial (in France)--presumably because he has no known grave--however he would have had no involvement in the Dunkirk evacuation because the Highland Division did not make it to Dunkirk and the Jocks were still fighting in France, days after the last soldier had been taken from Dunkirk beach. One of those little bits of hidden history which it suited the authorities to cover up....
Added by Bill Geddes on 23 April 2006.
Thanks Bill, I had done some digging on the internet and knew his service number and a bit about the various battles and that he never made it to Dunkirk, although his name is there (cwgc website) and it is also on the memorial in Dingwall.
I have a few books I'd like to buy when I get time to read them which should tell me a bit more about the situation: Saul David's "Churchill's Sacrifice of the 51st highland Division" and Jim Stockman's "Seaforth Highlanders 1939-45, a Fighting Soldier Remembers". Can you reccommend any others?
I also have a copy of his death certificate, but that doesn't tell me anymore than I already know.
Thanks for the info about Mareuil-Caubert cemetary; maybe one day I will get the chance to go there...
Thanks again. Kind regards, Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 23 April 2006.
I have a few books I'd like to buy when I get time to read them which should tell me a bit more about the situation: Saul David's "Churchill's Sacrifice of the 51st highland Division" and Jim Stockman's "Seaforth Highlanders 1939-45, a Fighting Soldier Remembers". Can you reccommend any others?
I also have a copy of his death certificate, but that doesn't tell me anymore than I already know.
Thanks for the info about Mareuil-Caubert cemetary; maybe one day I will get the chance to go there...
Thanks again. Kind regards, Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 23 April 2006.
I have heard of the books you list but I have not read them. The first one is fairly recent and got good reviews. I have a book written by Eric Linklater in 1942 "The Highland Division" - this was an official history of the 1940 campaign. "Return to St Valery" by Derek Lang was published in 1974 and records the memories of a Cameron Highlander who escaped and returned home (via Syria!).There is also an illustrated booklet published in 1990 by the 51st HD officers Dining Club! It was produced to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the HD defeat. I would try to get Saul David’s book if I were you, as it is a comprehensive report on the campaign including the politics behind the events and why the Highlanders were not taken off at Dunkirk. It’s on my list and you have now reminded me to get it - thanks. Bill. G.
Added by Bill Geddes on 18 May 2006.
Added by Bill Geddes on 18 May 2006.
Bill, the Seaforth Highlanders were not disbanded; they were amalgamated with the Cameron Hldrs and became the Queens Own Highlanders.
Added by on 18 May 2006.
Added by on 18 May 2006.
Thanks Bill. I had heard of Eric Linklater's book but had forgotten about it. I'll have a look online later and see if I can get copies of some of these books.
Kind regards, Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 19 May 2006.
Kind regards, Lorna.
Added by Lorna on 19 May 2006.
Jocky Duff was my stepfather - he died in 1992 of Parkinson’s Disease. He was caught at Dunkirk and walked to Germany - PoW for the rest of the war. All he would say about that was they were treated much better than the Poles. He is buried at Kincardine cemetery, Ardgay. Always fondly remembered.
Added by Ronald Macgregor on 22 December 2006.
Added by Ronald Macgregor on 22 December 2006.
Name is spelt wrong - should be MacCulloch not McCulloch.
Added by Anon on 26 January 2007.
Added by Anon on 26 January 2007.
Does anyone remember my great uncle L/Sgt Thomas Crawford McMillan who was killed in 1944 at Monte Cassino? Anyone who does or has any old pictures or stories I would love to hear from you. May they all rest in peace with our thoughts and prayers.
Added by Margaret McGarvey on 31 January 2007.
Added by Margaret McGarvey on 31 January 2007.
Andrew Fraser (known as Baldy), second from right middle row, was my uncle. He came from a large family living in Alness. I have a later photo of him taken when he was POW in Stalag V111B which I will post on site. As I have just stumbled on this great site I am spending a lot of time trawling through everything first and enjoying every minute of it.
Added by Jane nee Fraser on 27 February 2007.
Added by Jane nee Fraser on 27 February 2007.
Bobby Speed, seventh from left middle row, is my uncle. He is now in his nineties and living in Inverness. He was one of seven children born to Robert and Isbella Speed in Invergordon - their names were Bob, Bill (my father William who passed away last year), Norman, Jimmy, Ella, Nan and Bette. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers the Speed family...
Added by Jean Jahn nee Speed on 07 May 2007.
Added by Jean Jahn nee Speed on 07 May 2007.
My "great uncle" Davie Ross is 3rd right on the second row. I am priviledged to have such a wonderful man in my life full of stories from the past which keeps my family history alive! My dad is Hamish (Jimmy, Skipper) Ross and he is the nephew of Davie and thankfully/gratefully they are still very close and hopefully this helps each other deal with the every day things that life throws at you! I love hearing stories from the past and want to know everything about my relatives that have sadly left this lfe. I know that I will never have or indure (thankfully) the experiences these men have had to deal with in their life time!
Added by Wendy Clist (nee Ross) on 14 May 2007.
Added by Wendy Clist (nee Ross) on 14 May 2007.
Hello everybody, I have just recently discovered this site and am so happy to have done so. My name is Susi and my dad is Davie Beaumont seated second from the right. He will be 86 at the end of this month and still very fit and active. If anyone knows of my dad and has stories to tell I'd love to hear them.
Added by Susan Macdonald on 23 May 2007.
Added by Susan Macdonald on 23 May 2007.
It's great to hear that some of these veterans are still with us! With regard to my cousin Richard Geddes, I would be very interested to hear from any old soldiers who knew him or were perhaps engaged in the action at Abbeville where he died in the attempt to beat back the Germans. My e-mail is bill.geddes@tesco.net
Added by Bill Geddes on 24 May 2007.
Added by Bill Geddes on 24 May 2007.
Colin Urquhart (front row) is my Dad. He is now 87 and still living in Gordon Terrace, Invergordon with my Mam, Dot and brother, Ross. He is completely blind now but keeping pretty well otherwise. Still good pals with Davie Ross and still speaks about Bobby Speed, and others no longer with us. Talks from time to time about his wartime days - he too was a prisoner in Stallag VIIIB.
Added by Morag Morrison on 03 June 2007.
Added by Morag Morrison on 03 June 2007.
Re the Speed family: I thought they were from Saltburn. Can remember they used to live on the right hand side near the Invergordon end of Saltburn. My Mother was very friendly with Ma Speed when we lived in Saltburn. I met one of the Speed girls in Plymouth, but only briefly. Think she was married to a serviceman.
Added by Doug Will on 04 July 2007.
Added by Doug Will on 04 July 2007.
You are correct Doug, my father's family was from Saltburn, although I think some of them must have moved to Invergordon at some stage in their lives as I remember visiting them there when I was a child. I think the girl you met in Plymouth was probably one of my cousins. Unfortunately, I'm not in contact with any of my family in Scotland, and my memory is not as good as I would like it to be...
Added by Jean Jahn nee Speed on 30 July 2007.
Added by Jean Jahn nee Speed on 30 July 2007.
My Great Uncle, Sgt Kenny Ross, is 3rd from left on front row - died 11th June 1940 of war wounds at Gosport Military Hospital, Southampton - was awarded the Military Medal posthumously. I held his medal in 2001 - he was my Grandmother's brother. I'm also trying to find out about his Brother Donald Ross - died 1947 age 43. He was a warrent officer in RAF - buried at Kilmuir Easter.
Added by Kath Mckie on 06 October 2007.
Added by Kath Mckie on 06 October 2007.
My grandfather was George Samual Panther. He was in the Seaforths during WWI and wounded. He was invalided out of the army with TB and died in the 1950s. Do any of you know of a memorial to the Seaforth Highlanders (WWI) in France? Thanks. Jonathan Whymark
Added by Jonathan Whymark on 09 November 2007.
Added by Jonathan Whymark on 09 November 2007.
There are numerous Seaforth memorials dotted all over French battlefields but in memory of individuals. I do not know of one specific to the Seaforths. At St Valery (WW2) there is a monument on the cliff above town commemorating all the Highland regiments who fought there. Likewise at Beamont Hamel (WW1) there is a fine memorial to the Highlanders who fought there. If you find a general memorial to the Seaforths, let me know and I will visit and photograph for posting on this site.
Added by Bill Geddes on 09 November 2007.
Added by Bill Geddes on 09 November 2007.
Hi. Thanks for your reply. We found a memorial to the Seaforth Highlanders today at a place called Sunken Road Cemetry near Fampoux not far from Arras. I took a couple of still photos of the monument, but this has my Mum standing in front wearing her father's medal and medical discharge badge. We had a very moving day visiting relatives who came to France in WW1 and never went home. Thanks and god bless all those who keep the memories of those who fell alive.
Added by Jonathan on 11 November 2007.
Added by Jonathan on 11 November 2007.
My uncle was Arthur Riach in the picture above. He was my father's eldest brother. He was killed on the 4th June 1940.
I think it must have been in the same incident as Richard Geddes above.
His body is buried in Arques-La-Bataille Communal Cemetry. Row C Grave 1.
His service number was 2820991 Rank Corporal Arthur Scott Riach Aged 26.
I have not yet benn able to visit the cemetry but now I am retired I will make the effort in the future.
Any other info would be more than welcome
Added by Kenny Riach on 20 December 2007.
I think it must have been in the same incident as Richard Geddes above.
His body is buried in Arques-La-Bataille Communal Cemetry. Row C Grave 1.
His service number was 2820991 Rank Corporal Arthur Scott Riach Aged 26.
I have not yet benn able to visit the cemetry but now I am retired I will make the effort in the future.
Any other info would be more than welcome
Added by Kenny Riach on 20 December 2007.
I am researaching the history of Morrison Construction, founded by Alex Morrison of Tain in 1948. Born in 1921, he worked as a joiner before the war, was in the T.A. and joined the Seaforthers at the outbreak. He spent most of the war as a POW in Poland (I don't know which camp) from 1940 to `45, having been captured at St Valery. I believe that another joiner from the Tain area, Jackie Marshall, was taken with him. If anybody has any recollections of either man, or of the POW camp, I'd be very pleased to hear. My information so far is pretty sketchy. My name is Alan Wilkinson, and I am available by email, also by telephone on 01904 629 627. I am working for Alex's son Gordon on this project.
Added by Alan Wilkinson on 08 January 2008.
Added by Alan Wilkinson on 08 January 2008.
Alan, if Morrison Construction was in Tain, suggest you may have better luck on the Tain Museum Image Library?
Added by Harry O'Neill on 09 January 2008.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 09 January 2008.
Alan, I found a picture of Alex Morrison on the Tain Museum image library and sent it to you via email. If you do not get it, go onto the Tain museum image site and search businesses, it is on about the 4th page. The picture number is 346.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 09 January 2008.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 09 January 2008.
Back row 5th from left is Robert (Jack) Adam late of 10 Gordon Terrace Invergordon. Captured at St Valery and spent the duration of the war as a prisoner working in the Polish salt mines. After demob worked at Invergordon Dockyard as watchman and latterly as crew member on pilot boat.
Added by on 11 January 2008.
Added by on 11 January 2008.
Alan, I remember Forbie Urquhart telling me that when he came back from Canada in the early 50s to run a shop in Tain High Street he got Alex Morrison to do it up for him. Alex brought some new fangled stuff called plasterboard up from his yard at the bottom of Castle Brae balanced on the pedal of his bike. Changed times! Also, the shop was painted with another new product - emulsion - which gave off such lethal fumes that by 9.30am the decorators were lying out on the pavement to recover!
Added by Estelle Quick on 15 January 2008.
Added by Estelle Quick on 15 January 2008.
Amazing to see a photograph (the only one I've ever seen) of my father Ackie Ross (Millcraig) when he was in the army. I'm seeing faces to names he used to talk about. Like many others from this picture, he was captured at St Valery and ended up at Stalag VIIIB (I'm pretty sure I've seen a postcard from there...would that be right?) Dad died some 25 years ago.
Added by Les Ross on 07 February 2008.
Added by Les Ross on 07 February 2008.
Very interesting site! I’m having trouble finding any information on my Grandfather. He was Hugh Murray of the Seaforth Highlanders. He fought in the battle of Somme and Ypres. He survived, and much later settled in new Zealand where he died at the age of 85.
Added by Sandra on 24 February 2008.
Added by Sandra on 24 February 2008.
I've just came across this site while doing some research on the Seaforths 5th batallion WW2, buried in Reichswald Forrest war cemetery (Germany). Just came across Sergeant David Mackay RAFVR 578 SQ Age 19, service no. 1823109, from Invergordon, son of David and Helen Mackay. I would be grateful if anyone has any information on him or the whereabouts of family.
Also, my uncle, Private John Macleod from Scourie (SUTHERLAND) age23, 5th battalion Seaforths service no. 2829132 died 11 Feb 1945 and also buried in Reichswald Forest. Living in France, I would be very grateful for any info on these two soldiers.
Added by James Mackay on 13 March 2008.
Also, my uncle, Private John Macleod from Scourie (SUTHERLAND) age23, 5th battalion Seaforths service no. 2829132 died 11 Feb 1945 and also buried in Reichswald Forest. Living in France, I would be very grateful for any info on these two soldiers.
Added by James Mackay on 13 March 2008.
My father served with the 5bn Seaforth Highlanders under a Capt. Alexander Grant (also known as George?) Murray. My father Tony Buxey (aka "Buck") was given his hip flask to drink from in trenches near Courseulles(?) but Capt Murray was killed by the time he had his nip and wanted to return it.
Does anyone know of an A. G. Murray or his relatives as dad would like to return that hip flask? From what I can find out D.O.D. was 8/8/44 and he was possibly buried at Ranville Cemetery.
Added by Margot on 03 May 2008.
Does anyone know of an A. G. Murray or his relatives as dad would like to return that hip flask? From what I can find out D.O.D. was 8/8/44 and he was possibly buried at Ranville Cemetery.
Added by Margot on 03 May 2008.
Sorry that this enquiry is not about this picture. However, my father, Thomas Walter Lawrence, enlisted in the Seaforths about 1919- 1920, I imagine, as quite a young man (don't know his age) before transferring to the Royal Engineers. He served in India - I have photograph.
Can anyone help me obtain information - service records - anything about him as a Seaforth Highlander? Thank you.
Added by Mavis Gill on 08 May 2008.
Can anyone help me obtain information - service records - anything about him as a Seaforth Highlander? Thank you.
Added by Mavis Gill on 08 May 2008.
Re- T W Lawrence, try these sites for advice: www.cabarfeidh.com or, www.national archives.gov.uk
Good Luck!
Added by Joe MacDonald on 08 May 2008.
Good Luck!
Added by Joe MacDonald on 08 May 2008.
Added by Jackie Geddes nee Maclennan on 25 November 2004.