The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay

Researching men from Banff who served in the Boer War, and I've got notes for a Colour Sergeant J Mackie, number 2025.

I've got notes that in his time in the army he won the MC, the DCM (possibly at Dargai), the QSA and KSA for his Boer War service, the 14-18 Trio (including a MiD), the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, as well as a Belgian Croix de Guerre. Oh, and medals for the 1903 and 1911 Delhi Durbars.

For someone with such a distinguished career, I was hoping there might be a photo of him out there. I'd also like to know more about his First World War service - he clearly received a commission and I'd like to know how far he progressed in his career.

Does anyone have anything more on him?

Thanks.

anne park

I have a small database of the men who served in the Boer War and died in WWI. Sadly not J Mackie.
Charles Wilson Lawson Fowlie Major 5th Gordon Highlanders F Coy born Banff 11/09/1873 Age 41 Killed in Action F & F 30-May-15 Son of John & Elizabeth Law Lawson Fowlie, Udny, Aberdeenshire. Macduff Roll of Honour: Page 3: Schoolhouse: date 30-4-15. Also page 35. City Roll of Honour : Mains of Bogfecil, Whiterashes. Aberdeen Grammar School RoH. Buchan Observer: 1914. Medal Card: 29 CarltonPl; Aberdeen. Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue Fr 0705 Plot VI Row E Grave 25 Fraserburgh Herald 1-6-15 City Grammar Macduff & Udny Green

anne park · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:04 am Post subject: J Mackie

What else do you have on him I checked on Ancestry and found a James Mackie MC but is it him. Very interesting card.

anne park · Last edited by anne park on Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:31 am; edited 1 time in total

Name: James Mackie
Age in 1911: 44
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1867
Birth Place: Banff, Scotland
County/Island: Military
Country: England
Marital Status: Married
Registration District Number: 641
ED, institution, or vessel: India
Listed as Hony. Lt married and born Banff.

anne park

James Mackie born in 1868 joined the army and rose through the ranks, from Private to Major. He served in India and on the North West Frontier (Afghanistan). His last military appointment was as Commandant of the Army Boys School at Dunblane, Scotland. His retirement years were spent in Stonehaven and was buried with full military honours.
No mention of South Africa....

anne park · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:38 am Post subject: In India in 1911 Census

The page of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders clearly gives James Mackie there so he would be there at the time of the 1911 Durbar.

David McNay · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:07 am Post subject:

All I have on him is everything I posted initially.

I've checked Find My PAst but not pre-WW1 service record for him there. I can only presume it was kept with his WW1 service record - I'll check Ancestry later but we all know what the chances of that are...

Would you know if the Gordons museum would have anything on him? For such a distinguished career I would have thought there would be at least one photo of him out there somewhere...

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:29 am Post subject:

Quartermasters were given "Honoray" officer rank.

London Gazette 25/9/1908 page 5918
2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders,
James Mackie, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant.
Dated 26th September, 1903.

London Gazette 29/12/1916 page 37
Awarded Military Cross
Qrmr. and Hon. C'apt. James Mackie, Gord.
Highrs.

London Gazette 22/1/1918
The undermentioned 'to be temp. 2nd Lts.
for service with Ind. Army Res. of 'Off. (ons
prob.). 25th Nov. 1917 :

Co. Serjt. -Maj. James Mackie, M.C., from.
Gord. Highrs., T.F.

London Gazette 9/7/1918 page 8170
Award of the Belgian Croix de Guerre
Quartermaster and Honorary Major James-
Mackie, M.C., Gordon Highlanders.
_________________
Ken

David McNay · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:53 am Post subject:

Excellent, many thanks.

I'll need to have a look in the Army Lists and see if he's in there.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:53 am Post subject:

Also London Gazette 17/7/1917 page 7251
Military Cross Citation
200710 C.S.M. James Mackie, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion toduty.
He directed and organised parties for
the capture of several machine guns. He
showed an absolute disregard for personal
safety, and, though, twice wounded, carried
on until wounded a third time
_________________
Ken

David McNay · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:05 am Post subject:

There's an entry in the Evening Times from 24th February 1915 of a Captain James Mackie, Gordon Highlanders being Mentioned in Despatches - could this be him?

Would the "honorary" rank be listed as a correct rank in the paper perhaps?

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:13 pm Post subject:

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:25 pm Post subject:

At the National Archives Index for MICs there is

Medal card of MacKie, James
Corps Regiment No Rank
Gordon Highlanders Honorary Captain
Gordon Highlanders Honorary Major and Quarter Master

There is also

Medal card of MacKie, James
Corps Regiment No Rank
Gordon Highlanders 2949 Private
Indian Army Reserve of Officers Second Lieutenant
_________________
Ken

David McNay · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:18 pm Post subject:

I think a visit to the Mitchell Library will be in order....

anne park · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject: Gordon Highlanders Museum

I'll look the Army Lists tomorrow and ask if there is anything else......