ALEXANDER MacKAY, Lance Corporal 251042, 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

WW1 Panel on Oban War Memorial.

Maternal grandparents' gravestone in Larkhall War Memorial.

ALEXANDER MacKAY, Lance Corporal 251042, 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial.
He formerly served as Private 5173, 2/1st Ross Battery, 18th Highlands (Mounted) Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.

ALEXANDER MacKAY is named on his maternal grandparents' gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery. He is also named on the Oban War Memorial.

His parents were Hugh Mackay, a Spirit Merchant, and Isabella Brown, who were married at Larkhall on 30th June, 1892.
His paternal grandparents were Alexander MacKay, a Farmer, and Elizabeth McLeod.
His maternal grandparents were James Brown, a Clothier, and Janet Williamson.

His father, Hugh MacKay, was born on 9th August, 1860, at Kendrom, Kilmuir, Inverness.
His mother, Isabella Brown, was born on 21st August, 1870, at 31 Church Street, Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

ALEXANDER MacKAY was born on 5th May, 1895, at 152 Raploch Street, Larkhall.

The 1901 LARKHALL Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at New Street, Shannum Cottage, Glengowan, Larkhall, as follows:
Hugh MacKay, age 40, Head, Spirit Dealer, b Kilmuir, Skye.
Bella MacKay, age 30, Wife, b Dalserf.
Jessie MacKay, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Dalserf.
ALEXANDER MacKAY, age 5, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
James MacKay, age 3, Son, b Dalserf.

The 1911 OBAN Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at Tigh-an-eas, Oban, Argyll, as follows:
Hugh MacKay, age 50, Head, Vintner, b Denholm, Inverness.
Bella MacKay, age 39, Wife, b Larkhall.
ALEXANDER MacKAY, age 15, Son, b Larkhall.
Hamish MacKay, age 13, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Betsy MacKay, age 9, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall.
Hugh MacKay, age 4, Son, b Larkhall.
Peggy MacKay, age 3, Daughter, b Larkhall.

ALEXANDER MacKAY joined the 2/1st Ross Battery, 18th Highlands (Mounted) Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, as Private 5173, on 29th November, 1915.
On 21st June, 1916, he was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry.
He was allocated several numbers to include 4830, 6/6175 and 251042.
On 30th June, 1916, he was appointed Lance Corporal with 5th Reserve Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

ALEXANDER MacKAY is noted as having died on 25th March, 1918, age 23.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for ALEXANDER MacKAY shows that he is commemorated at POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. There are 14,720 identified casualties listed on POZIERES MEMORIAL.

ALEXANDER MacKAY is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that ALEXANDER MacKAY was born in Larkhall and enlisted in Oban.
 

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for ALEXANDER MacKAY shows that he was awarded The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.
The MIC is undated, which indicates that he went to France after 1915.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his father Hugh received his Outstanding Pay of £5/1/1, and a War Gratuity of £12/-/-. This record also notes that ALEXANDER MacKAY was initially buried between Vaulx Vrancourt and Burynatre [?].

Lest We Forget!

Page 1 of his Attestation Records.

Page 2 of his Attestation Records.

Page 3 of his Attestation Records.

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC)

Medal Roll showing the award of The Victory Medal and The British War Medal

Soldier's Effects Record