Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

BALMORAL CASTLE WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and Copyright © Transcribed Marilyn MacKenzie; researched Martin Edwards 2008

The Blamoral castle memorial is to be found on the East side of the B976, after the Dee Bridge, before the entrance to the Balmoral Estate (OS Map Reference NJ 263 948). It takes the form of a stone monolith with a Celtic Cross in relief and a two-stepped base at the bottom. The top of the memorial contains the names of the men who gave their lives in World War 1 (28 names) and the bottom the names of the men from the Second World War (6 names). The memorial was originally unveiled 3rd September 1922 by H.M. king George V. The sculptor was Sir James Taggart and the designer Mr William Kelly.

Some details of the men listed have been found in "WAR SERVICE ROLL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLDS AND ESTATE OF THE KING AND THE QUEEN" and these are marked *

THE BALMORAL WAR MEMORIAL
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V UNVEILED THIS MEMORIAL ON
3RD SEPTEMBER 1922 AND DEDICATED IT IN MEMORY OF THE
MEN FROM THE ESTATES IN THE AREA WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE GREAT WAR.
THE NAMES OF THE MEN OF THE CRATHIE PARISH WHO WERE
KILLED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR WERE ADDED TO THE BASE.
THE MEMORIAL IS BUILT OF THE SAME GRANITE AS BALMORAL
CASTLE. IT WAS DESIGNED BY DR W KELLY, WHO SPECIALISED
IN CELTIC CROSSES AND WAS SCULPTURED BY SIR JAMES TAGGART.
THE SWASTIKA WAS A SYMBOL OF WIDESPREAD ANCIENT USAGE
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUN AND ITS NAME IS FROM SANSKRIT
DENOTING WILL BEING, FOTUNE, LUCK. THESYMBOL APPEARED
ON THE BUILDINGS AND TITLE PAGES OF MANY OF RUDYARD KIPLINGS
WORKS. THE SYMBOL HAD NO SINISTER ASSOCIATIONS AT THE TIME
THE MEMORIAL WAS DESIGNED.

A.D. 1914 - 1919

MICHIE

John

[Listed as Lieutenant on memorial] Second Lieutenant, 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 15th July 1917.

ANDERSON

William Walker

[Listed as Sergeant, Cameron Horse on mmeorial] Lance Sergeant 53558, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 8th October 1917. Born Ferland, Aberdeen, enlisted Aberdeen, resident Balmoral. Formerly 15075, Cameron Highlanders.

CAMPBELL

Charles [Smith]

*Private, 3rd Battalion, Scots Guards (Home Service). Died of pleurisy. Plumber, Balmoral. Joined 13th June 1916. [Not listed on SDGW]

COUTTS

H

Lance Corporal, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. [Not listed on SDGW]

COUTTS

J

Private, Scottish Horse

COUTTS

R E

Private, Royal Army Service Corps

DICKSON

G

Private, Canadian Scottish

DUGUID

Robert

*Private 290869, 7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Killed in action at Arras 29th May 1917. Aged 20. Joined 3rd March 1915. Woods Labourer at Birkall. Enlisted Banchory, Kincardineshire. Son of George Duguid, of Daliefour Cottage, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 8 and 9.

DUNCAN

Henry

Private 7017, 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Killed in action in France 24th January 1915. Aged 35. Joined 5th August 1914. Roads Labourer at Balmoral. Born Glenmuick, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Ballater. Son of James Duncan, of Gimroc Cottages, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Buried in RUE-PETILLON MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 38.

DURRAN

William

Private 14566, Scots Guards. Killed in action 30th March 1918. Aged 22. Born and resident Crathie, enlisted Aberdeen. Son of James and Helen Durran, of East Lodge, Abergeldie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Buried in BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VI. Row F. Grave 6.

GREGSON

James

Private 342, 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Killed in action 29th October 1914. Born Port Errol, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Tarland. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 38.

GREGSON

Robert Cook

*Private S/17744, 1/6th Gordon Highlanders. Killed at Cambrai 23rd November 1917. Joined 1st May 1917. Born Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Aberdeen. Garden Labourer at Balmoral. Formerly 3rd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. No known grave. Commemorated on CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL, Nord, France. Panel 10.

HUNTER

John

*Lance Corporal 2685, 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died of wounds 30th October 1916 in United Kingdom. Born Crathie, enlisted Ballater. Joined 12th August 1914. Woods Labourer at Balmoral. Service included Home Service August 1914 to April 1915, France and Belgium 1st May 1915 to August 1916, Second Battle of Festubert 1915 and Somme 1916. Buried in the ruins in CRATHIE OLD CHURCHYARD, CRATHIE, Aberdeenshire.

JAMIESON

Peter

Private 463309, "B" Company, 47th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment). Died 11th November 1916. Aged 28. Born 16th February 1888, Cummingston, Aberdeen. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jamieson, of Balnault Farm, Crathie, Scotland; husband of Mabel Snow Jamieson, of 425, 20th Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia. Tailor by trade. Enlisted 30th July 1915 at Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, passed fit 21st August 1915. Height 5 feet 7 inches, girth 36 inches. complexion dark, eyes brown, hair black, religion Presbyterian. Buried in ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot I. Row Q. Grave 33. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4785 - 3

LAMONT

John

[Listed as Canadian Cavalry on mmeorial] Corporal 13254, 5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment). Died 1st September 1918. Aged 42. Born 1st July 1876 at Crathie. Son of William Lamont, of Heath Cottage, Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Widower. Teamster by trade. Passed fit 10th September 1014 and enlisted 18th September 1914 at Valcartier, British Columbia, Canada. Height 5 feet 8½ inches, girth 38 inches, complexion fair, eyes hazel, hair light brown, religion Presbyterian. Buried in UPTON WOOD CEMETERY, HENDECOURT-LES-CAGNICOURT, Pas de Calais, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 11. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5345 - 37

MACDONALD

J

Private, Gordon Highlanders

MACKINTOSH

J

Wireless Operator

MACLEAN

J

Leading Seaman

MCNERNEY

Alexander Marr

*Private 2725, 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died of wounds in France 29th July 1916. Aged 26. Enlisted Banchory, Kincardineshire. Joined 5th September 1914. Son of Thomas and Annie McNerney, of 25, Richmond St., Aberdeen; husband of Annie McNerney, of Tyna-baich, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Assistant Gardener at Balmoral. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot B. Row 37. Grave 8.

NICHOLSON

Thomas

*Private 316363, 13th (Scottish Horse) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Died of wounds 18th October 1918. Served Gallipoli, Egypt, Salonika and France 1918. Born Glemuick, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Tarland. Road Labourer at Balmoral. Joined 5th August 1914. Formerly Trooper 2201, 1/2nd Battalion, Scottish Horse. Buried in ROISEL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 13.

ROBERTSON

C

Private, Gordon Highlanders

ROBERTSON

J

Private, King's (Liverpool Regiment).

ROBERTSON

John King K

*[War Service Roll states Killed in action 26th August 1914] Gunner 47843, 37th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 27th August 1914. Boen Aberdeen, enlisted Inverurie, Aberdeen. Served at Mons. Estate Labourer, Woods, at Balmoral. Mentioned in General French's despatches. Joined 5th August 1914. No known grave. Commmeorated on LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL, Seine-et-Marne, France.

ROSE

Charles McHray

*Private 32624, 3rd Battalion transferred to "A" Company, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Died in the Persian Gulf 26th August 1917. Aged 19. Served in Mesopotamia March 1917. Joined 8th July 1916. Born and resident Crathie, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Aberdeen. Boy in Balmoral Gardens. Son of Charles and Annie Rose of Garroch Cottage, Micras, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XII. Row H. Grave 9.

SKENE

Charles

*Driver 173532, 107th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died of fever at Salonica 15th September 1918. Aged 32. Served Salonica. Born Culsh, Tarland, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, enlisted Aberdeen. Joined 1st June 1916. PYoungest son of Mr. and Mrs. Skene, of Francis Cottage, Ballater, Aberdeenshire; husband of Betsy Gordon Skene, of Polhollick, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Ten years in the service of H.M. The King at Balmoral and Birkhall Estates, 1906-1916. loughman at Invergelder and Groom at Birkhall, Balmoral. Buried in KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece. Plot/Row/Section E. Grave 1150.

SUTHERLAND

William

[Listed as Trooper on memorial] Private 2351, "F" Squadron, Scottish Horse Yeomanry. Died of wounds at sea 25th November 1915. Aged 25. Born Banchory, Kincardinshire, enlisted Crathie, resident Aberdeen. Son of John and Annie Sutherland, of 25, Hartington Rd., Aberdeen. For five years was a gardener at Abergeldie Castle, Ballater. No known grave. Commemorated on HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey, Panel 21.

TAYLOR

C

*Trooper, 1/2nd Battalion, Scottish Horse. Died of wounds. Served at Gallipoli. Joined 5th August 1914. Garden Labourer at Abergeldie, Balmoral.

TROUP

William Pope

*Private S/11224, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Killed 18th August 1916. Served in France at Battle of Guillemont 18th August 1916. Aged 25. Born and enlisted Aberdeen. Joined 16th February 1916. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Troup, of Greystone, Micras, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Native of Balmoral, Aberdeenshire. Foreman Gardener at Balmoral. Formerly 3rd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Buried in GUILLEMONT ROAD CEMETERY, GUILLEMONT, Somme, France. Plot XIV. Row F. Grave 10.

1939-1945

ALEXANDER

John G M

Sapper 1916741, 706 General Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Died 7th August 1940. Aged 28. Son of Alexander James and Mary Helen Alexander; husband of Edna Alexander, of Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Buried in SLIGO CEMETERY, County Sligo, Republic of Ireland. Grave 582.

BRACKEN

George

Able Seaman D/JX 145507, H.M.S. Galatea, Royal Navy. Died 15th December 1941. Aged 21. Son of Adolphus G. E. J. and Annie Bracken, of Crathie, Aberdeenshire. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 46. Column 2.

JOLLY

Charles

Able Seaman D/KX 87869, H.M.S. Gloucester, Royal Navy. Died 22nd May 1941. Aged 28. Son of Charles and Margaret Clark Jolly, of Ballater, Aberdeenshire. No known grave. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 53. Column 1.

KERR

William Donald

Pilot Officer 103063, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 14th June 1942. Son of Nicol and Margaret C. Kerr, of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. B.Sc. No known grave. Commmeorated on ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 248.

LOW

Alexander Reid

Private 13073090, 209 Company, Pioneer Corps. Died 1st January 1943. Aged 33. Son of William Milne Low and Agnes Low, of Crathie, Aberdeenshire. Buried in BONE WAR CEMETERY, ANNABA, Algeria. Plot VI. Row B. Grave 5.

MILNE

Archibald Charles

Leading Aircraftman 1573916, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 28th March 1946. Aged 21. Son of Andrew Charles and Margaret Milne, of Crathie, Aberdeenshire. Buried in RANGOON WAR CEMETERY, Myanamar. Plot 1. Row D. Collective grave. 4-19.

Last updated: 22 July, 2008

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