The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[Adam Brown]

Skerray War Memorial, Tongue, Sutherland
Location: In front of Skerry Free Church
OS Ref: NC 672 624
Memorial Type: Obelisk
Unveiled By: Duke of Sutherland
Number of Great War Names: 25
Number of WW2 Names: 8

Another one off the beaten track. It has been moved in recent years into the grounds of the local Free Church. If you look closely when they put it back together they misaligned the obelisk.








Adam

[Adam Brown]

Here are the names in alphabetical order:

1914-1918

GUNN , George , Gunner , Royal Naval Reserve
MacDOUGALL , James , Private , 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Alexander , Private , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Alexander , Private , 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Angus G , Private , 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Daniel G , Private , Canadian Expeditionary Force
MacKAY , Donald H , Private , 6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Eric , Private , 15th Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force
MacKAY , Eric W , Private , 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , George G , Private , 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , George W , Private , 7th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers
MacKAY , Hugh , Lance Corporal , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , John , Private , Australian Imperial Force
MacKAY , John A , Lance Corporal , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , John D , Corporal , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , John G , Private , 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , John M , Private , 4th Regiment South African Infantry Force
MacKAY , Murdo , Private DCM , 11th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
MacKAY , Robert , Private MM , 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Robert H , Leading Seaman , Royal Naval Reserve
MacKAY , Thomas N , Private , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , William D , Piper , 8th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
MILNE , William G , Private , 43rd Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force
MUNRO , Neil , Private , 4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
NEWLANDS , David R , Corporal , 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders

1939-1945

GORDON , George , Signalller , Royal Artillery
GUNN , James , Corporal , Lovat Scouts
MacKAY , Hector , Corporal , Australian Army Labour Corps
MacKAY , James , Private , The Seaforth Highlanders
MacKAY , Donald , Stoker , Royal Naval Patrol Service
MacNICHOL , Archibald , Private , 5th/7th Bn Gordon Highlanders
MENZIES , Duncan , Lieutenant MC , 2nd Bn Black Watch
SIM , William M , Corporal , Scots Guards


A local Tongue man has written a very detailed book on those listed on the three parish war memorials, Tongue, Skerray and Melness.

It is called Never More by Alasdair Sutherland, published 1999.

Adam

[Adam Brown]

For more information on the names on this memorial please go to the appropriate list on this forum using the link below

First World War

Sutherland’s Great War Dead A-E

Sutherland’s Great War Dead F-L

Sutherland’s Great War Dead Mc / Mac

Sutherland’s Great War Dead M

Sutherland’s Great War Dead N-R

Sutherland’s Great War Dead S-Y

Second World War

Sutherland’s Second World War Dead A-L

Sutherland’s Second World War Dead Mc / Mac

Sutherland’s Second World War Dead M-Z

Post-War

Sutherland’s Post-1945 War Dead

.

[alasdair]

Hi I'm the author of 'Never More' on Tongue Melness and Skerray war Memorials. If anyone needs any help with research on other soldiers or any guidance on doing a similiar project give me a PM.
If its okay with the moderators anyone who would like a copy of 'Never More' send me a PM and I can arrange for a copy to be sent.
Thanks
Alasdair
Sutherland
_________________
Ali Sutherland

[apanderson]

A wee bit more info on Pte Murdo (Murdoch) Mackay transcribed from The Falkirk Herald:


Falkirk Herald, 2nd October 1915,
‘Bonnybridge, Pte. Murdoch McKay, 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders’
Mrs. McKay, 2 Drum Terrace, has received a report that he son, Private Murdoch McKay, 11th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders has been wounded. He enlisted on 1st October 1914. A kilnburner to trade, he was employed by the Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Co., Limited. A brother of Private McKay was killed in action on 23rd August 1914, while another brother, Private Alex. McKay, is with the Second, 5th Seaforth Highlanders.

Falkirk Herald, 30th September 1916,
‘Died at his Post, Gallant Bonnybridge Soldier Killed In Action - Second Member Of Family To Fall’
Last Saturday, we announced that Private Murdoch Mackay, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, had for conspicuous gallantry in the field, been recommended for recognition and today it is with regret that we have to record his death, he having been killed in action. An officer writing to his father, Mr. Mackay, Drum Terrace, High Bonnybridge, under date of 15th September, says: “Dear Mr. Mackay, It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of your son Murdoch Mackay, 6048, on the 15th inst., in the great attack on that date. He was one of my bombers, and has always behaved splendidly under all conditions. On the 21st August he acted most conspicuously in leading another officer and myself out to where his company officer lay wounded, and together we managed to save him. I recommended your son and the Colonel of our regiment highly commended him, and I hear that he has since been awarded the Order of St. George, third class. His coolness under fire was a great inspiration to his comrades, who all knew him and thoroughly respected him, and they all deeply sympathise with you in your loss, which is also ours. Your son, with his cousin, William Mackay, were two of my best men, always to be relied on at all times. They were constantly together in the trenches, sleeping, marching, fighting together, and at the end your son was assisting another wounded comrade. I hope that you have comfort in knowing that he died at his post, and may God give you comfort in this, your great loss”. Private Mackay, who was 21 years of age, enlisted about a year ago, prior to which he was in the employment of Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Co., Limited. A brother, Private James Mackay, Royal Scots, was killed in action about a year ago, while another brother, Private Alex. Mackay, Seaforth Highlanders, is at present in hospital wounded. The sympathy of the community is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Mackay and family in this, their second bereavement through the war.

[alasdair]

Here is a link to a website about Skerray War Memorial I have built

http://www.tongueskerraymelnesswarmemorials.co.uk/Tongue-War-Memorial.html
_________________
Ali Sutherland

[apanderson]

Link no longer seems to work.

Anne

[alasdair]

thanks fixed the link now
_________________
Ali Sutherland

[stuartn]

WMR 57665