The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Keptie

Courier & Advertiser for Wednesday 9th November 2011 has a Craigie section recording this info

I've been contacted by Catherine Bates who writes, " On a trip to BLAIRGOWRIE recently, I was having a look at the War Memorial and noticed the following names:

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH CLERK RATTRAY, a senior commander in the ATS

ELIZABETH MARGARET CHRISTIE , a leading aircraftwoman in the WAAF

MARY O'NEILL DOWALL , a nursing sister in the Nursing Services

Although I'm sure it is not unique , I haven't noticed women mentioned on any other war memorial I have seen . After some investigation on the web , I found that Charlotte Elizabeth Clerk RATTRAY died as the result of a minor accident in March 1945 when the army car in which she was travelling was involved in a collision with a lorry at Hornsea East Yorkshire . She was 33.

Mary DOWALL or "Scottie" was a nurse and died in an air raid at St Matthew's Hospital London in October 1940.

"She and her sister had spent their childhood in RATTRAY . Five weeks prior to her death she had spent time with relatives at Carsie. The hospital received a direct hit and patients and staff were buried under tos of wreckage . Doctors , nurses and other staff battled bravely to rescue the injured while the air raid was still in progress. "Scottie " was 26 years old.

"Elizabeth (Betty) CHRISTIE was in the Woman's Auxillary Air Force and died aged 22 in December 1944. I was unable to find any further information.

"Now that I know a bit more about them , they are no longer simply names on a war memorial. They are a poignant reminder of those young people who lost their lives and continue to loose their lives during wartime . Lest We Forget ..........

email : cragie@thecourier.co.uk

For info

pat w anderson

Adam Brown

Keptie · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject: Blairgowrie

Re the above : the book BLAIRGOWRIE & RATTRAY WAR MEMORIAL : Behind the Names edited and compiled by MARK DUFFY and printed by William Culross & Son Ltd , Queen Street, Coupar angus perthshire PH13 9 DF www.culross.co.uk 2006 has all three of the female casualties names .

An excellent publication with 100% information from newspapers

Will notify the Craigie section of this publication and maybe the printers or Blairgowrie shops will have some on sale for the Courier and Advertiser reader to purchase!

pat w anderson

David McNay · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:46 pm Post subject:

Or just ask Mark since he's a member here!

Keptie · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: Blairgowrie

Dave Yes Ive emailed the Courier Craigie section with this EXCELLENT publication and emailed Mark too so see what the correspondent does to obtain this Excellent publication ... Maybe the Craigie team will come back to me as they know me from my writings over the years !
yours aye
pat