Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
Pte. Alexander Macdonald
British Army 5th battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
from:Falkirk
(d.12th Oct 1917)
My great uncle, Alexander Macdonald, was 17 years old when he joined the Army. He had tried when he was only 16 years old, but his mother found out and he had to wait until he was 17.
Alexander was born at Culloden Ross & Cromarty, he was one of twelve children. His parents were Hector Macdonald of Skye & Christina MacRae. Alexander left many memories his time in service and we have many photographs of him alone and also with his unit during his years from 1913 to 1917. One comment on a photo with his unit " Aye smiling"
First he joined the Lord Lovat Scouts, then transferred to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He was called Sandy by his family. His brother Kenneth also died in 1917 from war wounds, at least his mother was able to say goodbye to Kenneth, he was her first born child. He was 25 and married. His daughter, Ivy, was born three months after his death. Alexander was one of 200 men who died on that dreadful day at Passchendaele, Belgium on 12th of October 1917. His name appears in the Roll of Honour page 543 at the Cameron Highlanders Museum. Alexander is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial Cemetery, the largest War Cemetery in the world, where almost 12,000 souls are buried.
Alexander was 21 years old when he died, he was greatly loved by his family, his many photographs, in particular, the one on his horse was on display in his parents home alongside one of his brother Kenneth, for future generations to admire and give eternal thanks to their sons and the many many brave men & women who gave their lives, to enable us to have the freedom we have today.
Their memories will live on forever. I have inherited all the photographs, my cousin has his medals
