ROYAL NAVY

James Allan Birnie

Writer

Born                       1916 at Botriphnie, Banffshire.

Address                 Station House, Lossie.

Parents                   A R Birnie, Stationmaster, and Mary Helen Lamb

Married                  No.

Occupation           Civilian employed by Air Ministry.

Where died           HM Cruiser Hermione, torpedoed 25 Mar 1941 in East Med.

Other                      Father informed in July 1942 son missing, presumed killed.

Alexander Campbell

Seaman RNR  P/X 20994A

Bye-name              Nicky.

Born                       1918.

Address                 Seafield, Union Street, Lossie.

Parents                   John Campbell and Mary Slater.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Covesea.

Where died HMS Cape Howe, 4443t, on 21 June 1940, torpedoed off the South-West Approaches. Thirteen men survived on a raft, picked up on 27th June 150 miles off Ushant.

Mervyn Cordiner

Able Seaman RNR  D/JX 344751

Born                       1924

Address                 52, Queen St, Lossie.

Parents                   John J Cordiner and Mary Wilson.

Married                  No.

Occupation           4th year apprentice painter with A Stewart, Argyle Street.

Where died HMS Maharatta 25 Feb 1944. Sunk by U956 in Barents Sea,escorting a convoy to Russia, 17 survivors. 

Benjamin Crockett

Seaman RNR  TP/X 19660A

Bye-name              Benjie.

Born                       1919.

Address                 19, Queen Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Edward Crockett and Margaret Ann Stewart.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Kia-Ora.

Where died           HMS Blackburn Rovers, on 2 June 1940, at Dunkirk. She was     sunk, the crew got away in a small boat, but were killed by an exploding depth-charge.

George Crockett

Engineman RNR  LT/X 2002ES

Bye-name              Doddie.

Born                       1916.

Address                 62  Dunbar Street.

Parents                   Wm Crockett and Elizabeth Stewart (Leeb).

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Verbena.

Where died           HMT River Clyde, 5 August 1940, by a mine off Aldeburgh.


Andrew Flett

Chief Skipper  RNR

Bye-name              Andra.

Born                       1898.

Address                 Glenelg, Queen St.

Parents                   John Flett and Mary MacIntosh.

Married                  to Isabella Murray.

Children Ian, Joseph, Alec, and Isobel.

Occupation           Fisherman, Skipper of the Plough.

Where died           On the armed troop-carrier Lisbon Maru, with 2000 Japanese     troops, crossing from HK to Japan when she was hit 100 miles off Ningpo, Shanghai, by the US submarine Grouper on 2 Oct  1942. The troops were taken off by a destroyer,  but the prisoners were kept confined in the hold even afterthe ship settled on a sandbank, so that approx 846 were lost. A few escaped, and about 970 continued as POW.

Other                      Taken prisoner at the fall of Hong Kong, on boom defence.

Douglas H Sim

L Tel   D/JX 18646

Bye-name              Dougie

Born                       1921.

Address                 Elgin House, King Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Robert J Sim, Postmaster, and xxxxxxxx yyyyy

Married                  to Margaret Maclaren.

Children                 Derrick

Occupation           Post Office.

Where died           Died of TB after the war, in Liverpool, in 1946.

Joseph Smith

Stoker   RNPS       LT/KX 104790

Bye-name              Joe.

Born                       1920.

Address                 Glencairn, Kimberley Street, Lossie and 13 Union St.

Parents                   Raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Margaret Ann Smith and William Stewart, after the death of his Father.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Ray of Hope.

Where died           Off Harwich onboard HMT Fleming, 24 July 1940.

Alexander Souter

Seaman   RN Patrol Service    LT/JX 280042

Bye-name              Nunca.

Born                       1921.

Address                 32, Kinneddar Street.

Parents                   George Souter and Elsie Campbell.

Married?                No

Occupation           Fisherman, cook on the Planet.

Where died           HMT Tervani, 7 Feb 1943, sailed from Algiers did not return.


James Souter

Leading Seaman  RNR    LT/X  9371B

Bye-name              Soupies.

Born                       1911.

Address                 King Street, Lossie.

Parents                   George Souter (Soupies) and Elizabeth Smith, 2 Seatown.

Married                  to Catherine Ralph, 27 King Street.

Children Betty and William.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Gracie.

Where died           HMT Myrtle, hoisting a magnetic mine onboard from their sweep in Thames Estuary on 14 June 1940 when it exploded.

J Souter

Sea/G

Where died

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

Alexander Stewart

Seaman, RNPS  LT/JX 241906

Bye-name              Alec.

Born                       1906.

Address                 82, Menzies Road Torry, Aberdeen.

Parents                   John Stewart and Isabella Farquhar 7, Grampian Road Torry,  Aberdeen.

Married                  To Ann McLeod Smith, 20, High Street, Lossie.

Children                 Ian.

Occupation           Line Fisherman.

Where died           HMT Uberty, 7 May 1941, bombed on way back from patrol       off Lowestoft.

Other                      Brother of Joseph Stewart, RN, nephew of James Stewart MN.

A. Stewart

Seaman RNR

Bye-name              Possibly a repeat of A Stewart RNPS who was also RNR.

 

George Stewart

CPO   LT/JX 738SB

Bye-name

Born                       24 Sept 1900.

Address                 49, Seatown, Lossie.

Parents                   George Stewart and Christina(Teenie) Stewart, 27, Seatown.

Married                  to Jessie(Janet) Imlach, Buckie.

Children                 Twins, Janet and Christina.

Occupation           Skipper of the Daisy.

Where died           HMS Europa (shore base) Lowestoft 12 May 1943.

George Stewart

2nd Hand  LT/JX 167014   RNPS

Bye-name              Geordie Pencils.

Born                       1913.

Address                 23, Union St, Lossie    Possibly Aberdeen

Parents                   William Stewart(Maisie) and Catherine Stewart.

Married                  No

Children                 No

Occupation           Line fisherman in Aberdeen.

Where died           HMT Burke, Dover 19 August 1940  Shot by German aircraft while playing football at Dover Castle.

George Stewart

CPO  

Bye-name             

Born                       1915.

Address                 Shamrock House, Brander Street, Lossie.

Parents                   George Stewart (Dogger) and Jane Crockett.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Reaper.

Where died           HMT Recoil, at sea, 28 Sept 1940, buried Parkstone Cemetery, Poole.

 

George Stewart

CPO

Born

Address

Parents

Where died

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle

 

James Stewart

Seaman  RNR  LT/X 9385

Bye-name              Jimmie Robbie.

Born                       1911.

Address                 33, Seatown.

Parents                   Robert Stewart and Mary Stewart.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Salvia.

Where died           HMS Firefly 3 Feb 1940 aged 28, hoisting a mine aboard,  when a destroyer passed at speed.

 

John Stewart

Acting Leading Aircraftman  (Ty) RN  FAA/FX 7310 

Bye-name              Johnnie.

Born                       1920.

Address                 11, Union Street.

Parents                   James Stewart and Elizabeth (Betsy) Thain.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Chemist's Assistant with J Murray, Queen St, Lossie.

Where died           HMS Victorious, aircraft carrier 12 August 1942. Ship  survived the war to be scrapped at Faslane '69.

Other                      He had survived when the Ark Royal was torpedoed in 1940.

 

John Stewart

Ordinary Seaman  C/JX 408 971

Bye-name              Johnny.

Born                       1925.

Address                 12, Union St Lossie.

Parents                   John Stewart and Annie McLeod.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Construction work at the aerodrome.

Where died           HMMTB 621, 25 Feb 1944, off Yarmouth.

Other                      After a battle, accidentally killed when another Allied ship (?US) discharged a gun during cleaning.


Joseph Stewart

Skipper RNR

Bye-name              Skipper.

Born                       1914.

Address                 195, Victoria Road Torry, Aberdeen.

Parents                   John Stewart and Isabella Farquhar, Aberdeen and 20,Union                     Street, Lossie.

Married                  to Nellie Stewart, 30 Union St, Lossie.

Children                 Joseph.

Occupation           Line Fisherman.

Where died           HMS Kindred Star, 9 April 1944. Died in Portland Naval Hospital following a road accident.

Other                      Brother of Alexander Stewart RN, nephew of Jas Stewart MN.

 

William Stewart

Able Seaman RNR  PX/67593

Bye-name              Bochel.

Born                       1904.

Address                 4, Union Street, Lossie.

Parents                   George Stewart (died 8 June 1941) and Jessie Scott 

                                39, Commerce Street.

Married                  to Elspeth McLeod (Cloudie).

Occupation           Fisherman on the Daisy.
Where died           HMS Fiji, an 8000t cruiser, sunk by German and Italian bombs off the island of Antikithera, Crete during the evacuation, on 23 May 1941. A total of 231 men were lost,  but 534  picked up by destroyers Kandahar and Kingston.

Other                      His sister Anna Bella was killed when the SS Athenia was torpedoed, 3 Sept 1939.

 

 

MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEET

 

Alexander Cormack Christie,

Chief Electrician

Bye-name              Sandy.

Born                      1914.

Address                 Dunearn, James St, Lossie.

Parents                   William Christie, Builder, and Barbara Cormack.

Occupation           Electrician at the Electricity Station Lossie.

Where died           MV Melbourne Star, 12000t, on 2 April 1943. Torpedoed 600m SE of Bermuda, 4 survivors. 31 passengers and 82 crew lost

Other                      Brother of Robert G M Christie, RAF.

Donald Gee Fletcher

Radio Operator

Bye-name              Donnie.

Born                       1921.

Address                 Baptist Manse, King Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Donald Fletcher, Baptist Minister and Ellen Gee.

Occupation           MN.

Where died           SS Empire Purcel, a 7040t steamship, bombed  27 May 1942, on trip from Middlesborough to N Russia via Reykjavik.

William Flett

3rd Electrician

Bye-name              Willie.

Born                       1919.

Address                 21, Union Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Alexander Reid Flett and Jessie Stewart.

Occupation           Plumber and electrician with Morrison, Lossie.

Where died           SS Orama, a 19840t steamship on 8 June 1940. Sunk by  gunfire from the cruiser Admiral Hipper, evacuating troops from Norway. 280 men were saved, with nineteen men lost.

John Gault

Second Hand

Born                       1894.

Address                 7 Grampian Road,Torry, Aberdeen.

Parents                   William Gault and Jane Ann Smith, Granville, James Street.

Married                  to Isabella Flett.

Children                 William and Mary.

Occupation           Line Fisherman.

Where died           FV Kinclaven, (A 17) Aberdeen steam trawler of 178t, lost  with all ten of the crew off the Faroes ca 27th March 1941.

John Main

Ordinary Seaman

Bye-name              Diddy.

Born                       1903.

Address                 7, Abbey Place, Torry, Aberdeen.

Parents                   William Main and Jane Stewart, 44 Commerce Street

Married                  to Nellie King.

Children                 John and Marlene.

Occupation           Line Fisherman.

Where died           FV Nisus,  A 318 a trawler on 15 March 1941, in Faroese waters.


William McLeod

Engineer

Bye-name              Willie.

Born                       1908

Address                 72, Queen St, Lossie.

Parents                   James McLeod (Fiddler) and Margaret (Maisie) McKenzie.

Married                  to the then late Isobel Main

Children                 William

Occupation           Fisherman on the Atalanta

Where died           Accidentally drowned at Lyness, Orkney

Other                      Buried at Lyness Naval Cemetery

Alexander Souter

Able Seaman

Bye-name              Sye Potts.

Born                       1924.

Address                 13C, High Street Lossie.

Parents                   Alexander Souter and Annie Stewart, 13C High Street.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Freda May.

Where died           SS Empire Gilbert, 6640t on 2 Nov 1942, Iceland, between Spitzbergen and Jan Mayen Island in a convoy from the Tyne to Archangel.

Other                      Three survivors were taken POW by the U-boat after 3 hrs in the water.

James Stewart

Skipper

Bye-name              Jamie Stiff.

Born                       1896.

Address                 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen

Parents                   Alexander Stewart and Catherine McKenzie

Married                  to Elspeth Stewart (Loll)

Children                 Katherine and William

Occupation           Line fisherman.

Where died           FV Fern Bank, a steam trawler, bombed on 17 Nov 1941 12m NW of Myggenaes Light, Faroes. He survived but was machine-gunned in the lifeboat and died later. In the attack 4 men died. Uncle of Alexander and Joseph Stewart RN and  of William Stewart MN.

John Stewart

Sailor

Bye-name              Paper John. (A corruption of Potato Jones, a popular  blockade-runner during the Spanish Civil War.)

Born                       1923.

Address                 Dalmeny, High Street, Lossie.

Parents                   John Stewart (Mysie) and Catherine C Murray.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fisherman on the Lydia Ann.

Where died           SS Empire Gilbert, 2 November 1942, see A Souter above.

Other                      Three survivors were taken POW by the U-boat.

J Stewart

AB                          No entry in the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.

 

 

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS

 

James A Allan

Pte          2817381   Territorial Army

Bye-name              Jimmy.

Born                       1914-1916.

Address                 49, Church Streeet.

Parents                   James Allan and Edith Alexander.

Married?                Yes.

Children                 Johnny Allan, Vancouver, BC

Occupation           Plasterer with Johnny Wilson, Father of James Wilson, REME.

Where died           France   21 May 1940. Possibly at St Valery.

Other                      His Mother was killed in the Church Street air crash on  20th May 1945, along with his adopted sister Vera.

                                Buried in Bus House Cemetery, Near Ypres, Belgium.

Hendry Andrews

Pte                          2820182    Territorial Army

Bye-name

Born                       1918.

Address                 1, Dee Street, Lossie.

Parents                   James Andrews and Louisa Whyte.

Married                  No

Occupation           Farm servant at Midtown Findrassie, then construction work at the aerodrome.

Where died           France, on or after 24 May 1940, possibly at Dunkirk.

Other                      Buried in Bus House Cemetery, Near Ypres, Belgium.

Andrew Robertson Christie

Pte                          2822367  Territorial Army

Born                       1922.

Address                 41, Clifton Road.

Parents                   Andrew Christie and Jessie Scott.

Married                  No.

Where died           Madagascar, 5-7 May 1942, when the Seaforths were part of      a force taking the Island from the Vichy French. 17 Seaforths were killed.

Other                      Buried in Diego Suarez War Cemetery.

Robert Ferguson Henderson

Sergeant                2813279     Territorial Army

Address                 4, Allan Lane Lossie.

Married                  to Elizabeth (Bessie) Stewart.

Children Jean, Stewart (Sonny), and Robert.

Occupation           Estate worker with Pitgaveny Estates.

Where died           In the battle for Dunkirk on or after 12 June 1940.

Other                      Buried at Bailleul.


Arthur J M Jenkins

Pte  2821470 Territorial Army

Born                       1917.

Address                 1, Rose Lane.

Parents                   Wm Jenkins and Elizabeth McRae.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Plasterer with John Wilson, King St.

Where died           At Sea, near Sicily, 10-12 July 1945.

James Donaldson Matthews

Pte   2820501   5th Batallion       Territorial Army

Bye-name              Jackie.

Born                       7 June 1920.

Address                 39, Church St, Lossie.

Parents                   Mary Matthews.

Married                  to Isobel ?????

Occupation           Labourer.

Where died           Western Europe, 18 Nov 1944, near Arnhem in Holland.

William Rosie

Pte  2818152     2nd Btn Seaforths.    Territorial Army

Bye-name              Bill.

Born                       in Orkney Islands.

Address                 Coral Peel, Inchbroom Road, Lossie.

Parents                   James Russell Rosie and Elizabeth Jane XXX.

Where died           11 or 12 June 1940, St Valery, France.

 

John Stewart

Lance Corporal     Territorial Army

Bye-name              Johnny Bunnack.

Born                       29 December, 1918.

Address                 6, Seatown Lossie.

Parents                   William Stewart and Jane Souter.

Married                  to Jessie Hay.

Children                 William.

Occupation           Plasterer.

Where died           France, 10 June 1940. Posted missing from then until 1943.

Other                      Buried in Artes village Cemetery, Near Dieppe.

 


OTHER SERVICES

John A Cameron

Pte   5th Batallion  KOSB  14717769

Bye-name              Jocky.

Born                       1928.

Address                 39 Church St Lossie.

Parents                   John Cameron and Mary Mathews.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Labourer.

Where died           W Europe, 2 April 1945, aged 17.

Other                      Lied about his age to enlist.

                                Half-brother of J Matthews, Seaforths.

George Stewart Cordiner

Driver  RASC  1069060

Bye-name              Dod.

Born                       1903.

Address                 Bay View, Clifton Road Lossie.

Parents                   Robert Cordiner and Margaret Mitchell, 15 Victoria Street.

Married                  to Jean Anderson.

Children Bertie, Jean, Margaret, John, George and Reggie.

Occupation           Fish Merchant.

Where died           Woking, Surrey on 27 Jan 1942.

G Cormack

Sapper  SAE

Born

Address

Parents

Where died          

Other                     

John S Coull

Senior Fireman, Canadian Fire Services.

Bye-name              Johnnie.

Born                       1907

Address                 48, Seatown, Lossie.

Parents                   James Coull and Maggie Jane Stewart.

Married                  to Enna Tongeson, Muskoga Apartments, Winnipeg, Canada

Children                 One daughter, Joyce.

Occupation           Fireman.

Where died           Enemy action at Wimbledon, London, 3 July 1944.

Other                      A fireman, returned from Canada at outbreak of war. Two of his cousins also died, Jack Long and John C Cowie, RAF.

James G Dean

Gunner  Royal Artillery  934334

Bye-name

Born                       1919.

Address

Parents                   Robert and Mary Dean.

Married                  to Gladys Laing.

Occupation           Labourer at the Aerodrome.

Where died           North Africa 21 April 1943.

Alexander Grant Gilbert DCM

Captain   Kings African Rifle Corps

Bye-name

Born

Address

Parents                   Youngest son of Wm and Elspet Gilbert, Rowan Brae, Stotfield.

Married?

Children

Occupation

Where died           Military Hospital, Nairobi in May 1944.

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

William C Grant

Sapper    Dock Operating Company

Bye-name              Rhuie.

Born                       10 Dec 1913

Address                 17, Quarry Court Lossie.

Parents                   William Grant and Maggie Reid.

Married  No.

Occupation           Farmworker, then unloading cargo boats at Lossie Harbour.

Where died           At Sea, missing, believed drowned, 17 June 1943.

John Long

F/Sgt NZAF

Bye-name              Jack.

Born                       1919.

Address                 New Zealand.

Parents                   David Long, Nairn and Christine(Teenie) Campbell.

Married?                No.

Occupation           Possibly an electrician.

Where died           Rear-gunner in a Wellington, returned from being an                                                                   instructor for a raid on which his plane was shot down.

Other                      Not in NZ records, nor in RAF at Edinburgh Castle.

David W Low

Lieutenant, 1st Batallion, Manchester Regiment

Born

Address                 Braeriach, James St, Lossie.

Parents                   Jimmy Low, Net Manufacturer, and May Sinclair

Married                  To José Waldeck of Mayfield Ave Finchley, London. ?child.

Occupation           Student, probably joined up straight from Gordonstoun.

Where died           Malaya, 18 Feb 1942. Died of wounds.

Other                      POW?

John Stewart McLeod

Lance Corporal  2325601  RC Sigs

Bye-name

Born                       1920.

Address                 Seatown

Parents                   Alexander McLeod (Fee) and Jean Stewart.

Married

Occupation           Regular soldier from age of 16.

Where died           29 Nov 1944, in Thailand, in air raid. Captured at Singapore.


Robert Bruce Mearns

Sergeant  57446  RASC

Bye-name              Robbie.

Born                       1914.

Address                 19 Pitgaveny St, Lossie.

Parents                   William Mearns and Jessie Dawson.

Married                  Yes.

Children                 No.

Occupation           Shop assistant in Carries, Queen St, Lossie.

Where died           France, on 19 May 1940. aged 26.

Charles Mitchell

Pte  2824895   Black Watch

Bye-name              Charlie.

Born                       1915.

Address                 Woodbine Cottage, Stotfield, Lossie.

Parents                   Charles Mitchell and Anabella Ross Mitchell.

Married                  to Catherine Mathieson, 10 Kinneddar Street.

Children Charles.

Occupation           Greenkeeper, Moray Golf Club.

Where died           Died of wounds in Italy 30 July 1944, aged 29.

Other                      Buried in Florence Military Cemetery.

William Reid

Craftsman REME

Bye-name              Wilks.

Born                       1910.

Address                 9 Victoria Crescent Elgin.

Parents                   William Reid and Janet or Jessie Main 42 Seatown.

Married                  to Mary Watson, Elgin.

Children                 Lorna and Marion.

Occupation           Plasterer with J Brodie, Elgin.

Where died           Killed in action near Uden, Germany, 1 March 1945.

William Riddell

Driver     RASC

Bye-name              Willie.

Born                       1914.

Address                 Macduff St, Lossie.

Parents                   Jimmie Riddell, Retired Policeman and Elizabeth Paul.

Married  No.

Occupation           Attendant at Moray Mental Hospital.

Where died           5 July 1940.

Other                      Died at 8, Church St Lossie  " late of the RASC"   ?TB

Robert Mowatt Stewart

Private  RC of Signals  2328420

Bye-name              Bobby.

Born                       1921.

Parents                   Mr and Mrs Stewart (Beesh), Queens Lane, Lossie.

Married to             Flora Munro Donaldson, 26 Elgin Road, Lossie.

Children Jean.

Occupation           Regular soldier for 5 Years.

Where died           In an accident at a firing range in England on 12 Feb 1943.

Other                      Brother of Wm C Stewart, RAF.


John Taylor

Pte RAMC             7354699

Born                       1918.

Address

Parents                   John A Taylor and Mary O Campbell, 12 St Gerardines Rd.

Married                  To Catherine Stewart, Dunbar Street.

Children No.

Occupation           Joiner with Wm Ritchie.

Where died           21 July 1944, Normandy, France. Buried at Ranville, France.

Other                      Brother of Alex Taylor  RAF.

George Imlah Wildegoose

Pte RAOC              14823721

Born                       1926.

Address                 Newlands Farm, in the middle of the present airfield, later Inchbroom.

Parents                   William Milne Wildegoose and Isabella Herkless Anderson  of The Cottage, Glenferness, Nairn.

Occupation           Farm servant.

Where died           Middle East, 21 Sept 1945.

James Law Wilson

2/Lt REME

Bye-name              Hearts.

Born                       1921.

Address                 40, King Street, Lossie.

Parents                   John Wilson, Builder and May Smith.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Science student at Aberdeen University.

Where died           Died of TB at Bangour Military Hospital, UK 12 Dec 1943.

William J Youngson

Gunner Royal Artillery  2816490

Bye-name              Willie.

Born                       1911

Address                 12 Church St, Lossie.

Parents                   David Youngson and Bella Edwards.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Hairdresser.

Where died           At Sea, ship torpedoed on 16 Mar 1942.

Other                      A gunner with the 3rd Maritime Regiment, attached to the Royal Scots, onboard a Defensively Equipped Merchantman (DEM) on his second trip, with a convoy in the Persian Gulf.

William R Younie

Corporal                 2359716   RC Signals

Bye-name              Bill.

Born                       1907

Address                 Rose Cottage, 4 Elgin Road, Lossie.

Parents                   John Younie, Janitor and Isabella Ross, 4, Elgin Rd.

Married                  Yes.

Children A daughter.

Where died           Normandy, France 7 June 1944, just after D Day.

Other                      Buried in Ryes British Military Cemetery, France.

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Alexander Whyte Campbell

Sergeant W/O   545658 

Bye-name

Born                       9 July 1917.

Address                 41, Argyle Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Elizabeth Whyte and Alexander Campbell.

Married                  to Christine Hunter of East Mains Farm, Lossie.

Children No.

Occupation           Fisherman, later Bricklayer.

Where died           Coastal Command, 24 Oct 1940.

Other                      Only married for three weeks, when his plane failed to return from a reconnaisance trip to Norway from Wick.

Lewis Duthie Campbell

Sergeant Obs     755497 RAFVR

Bye-name              Lewie

Born                       1920 in Buckie.

Address                 Claremont, Kimberley St, Lossie, but he lived mostly in Buckie with an Aunt.

Parents                   John Campbell and Helen Ann Duthie.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Student?

Where died           Plane crashed at Hayling Island on take-off leaving for Middle East, 27 Aug 1940. Five killed, the pilot survived.

Robert George Merson Christie

LAC                        982397 RAFVR

Bye-name              Bertie.

Born                       1920.

Address                 Dunearn, James Street, Lossie.

Parents                   William Christie, Builder and Barbara Cormack.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Bank Clerk.

Where died           Far East, 9 June 1943, a prisoner-of-war in Java.

Other                      Brother of Alexander Christie MN.

John Campbell Cowie

Sergeant                1822254 RAFVR

Bye-name              Johnny.

Born                       1923.

Address                 36, Great Western Road, Buckie.

Parents                   William Cowie, Buckie, and Jane Campbell.

Married                  to Jeannie Scott.

Children Joan.

Occupation           Fisherman, cook on the Anner(BCK), then at Scapa Flow.

Where died           Bomber Command, 22 Oct 1943 on a 1000 bomber raid over         Kassels.

Other                      Cousin of Jack Long, RNZAF, and Alec W Campbell, RAF.

John Gray

Flight Sergeant 620057

Born                       1918

Address                 Belonged to Glasgow.

Parents                   Alex. McCracken Gray, Shipwright, and Margaret McKenzie.

Married                  To Isabella Souter Stewart, 25 Dunbar Street, Lossie.

Children Duncan (McKenzie), Lynn and Alexander.

Occupation           Engineer.

Where died           Shot down over Essen, on 16, Dec 1943.

 

James Cameron Harthill

Flying Officer 139722 RAFVR

Bye-name              Hamish.

Born                       1917.

Address                 Dunvegan, Stotfield Road Lossie.

Parents                   James Harthill and Ishbel Cameron.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Assistant Golf Professional with Moray Golf Club.

Where died           Flying from North West Africa, 24 November 1943, on a raid, shot down over Genoa, where he was buried.

John Cameron Harthill

Flight Sergeant 931579 RAFVR

Bye-name              Ian.

Born                       1919.

Address                 Dunvegan, Stotfield Road Lossie.

Parents                   James Harthill and Ishbel Cameron.

Married                  No

Occupation           Electrician with the Electric Station, Lossie.

Where died           Bomber Command 24 Feb 1944, on a raid over Sweinfurt.

                                Buried at Bad Tolz.

James MacNicol Kellas

Flight Lieutenant  83369 RAFVR

Born                       1903

Address                 Coulardbank Farm., Lossie.

Parents                   Hugh Kellas and Martha Montgomery MacNicol.

Married                  Yes.

Children one son.

Occupation           Electrical Engineer with General Electric, installing electrical equipment on airfields.

Where died           Accident on 3 Nov 1942, in England.

Other                      Graduated BSc Eng at Edinburgh University. On research work with Coastal Command when killed. Buried at Hexham, Northumberland.

Robert Brander L G Levack

Flight Lieutenant 128636 RAFVR

Born                       In Paris, 1921

Address                 Boulah Bembah, School Brae, and 22, Rue Pierre Curie, Paris.

Parents                   Robert B Levack and Therese Sophie Mirguet.

Married?                No.

Where died           East Asia Command, 16 May 1944, in Madras.

Robert Alexander Milne

Flying Officer  129931  RAFVR

Bye-name              Robbie.

Born                       1914.

Address                 High Street, Lossie.

Parents                   Robert Milne , Retired Police Sergeant, and Elizabeth Shiach.

Married                  Yes.

Children                 Two girls.

Occupation           Worked in the Public Assistance Office, Elgin.

Where died           Bomber Command 22 March 1944.


John Munro

Sergeant                638862 RAFVR

Bye-name              Jackie.

Born                       1919

Address                 64, Dunbar St, Lossie.

Parents                   John Munro and Jane Main.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Shop assistant in Carries, Queen St, Lossie.

Where died           At Lania, Greece on 7 Dec 1940.

Ernest Reid

LAC                        1370819

Born                       1913

Address                 Brockweir, Argyle Street.

Parents                   Probably Aberdeenshire.

Married?                Yes.

Occupation           Insurance Agent with the Prudential.

Where died           21 Nov 1942, EAC. West Kirby.

James Robertson DFC

Flying Officer 155090 RAFVR

Bye-name              Jim.

Born                       1914.

Address                 42, (now 56) Macduff Street Lossie.

Parents                   William Robertson and Helen Whyte.

Married                  to Agnes Stephen, 10 Forteath Street, Elgin.

Children one daughter, Moira.

Occupation           Post Office Engineer.

Where died           Bomber Command, 28 October 1944.

Other                      Awarded DFC after raid on Peenemunde in 1944, the development site for the V2 rockets. He was lead Navigator. Later killed in UK.

John Scott

Flight Sergeant

Bye-name              Johnny.

Born                       1920

Address                 9 Kinneddar Street, Lossie.

Parents                   John Scott (Jock Dark) and Margaret McLeod.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Hairdresser in Youngsons, then clerk in the BBC in Glasgow.

Where died           Bomber Command, 30 Aug 43 missing over Germany.

John Scott

Sergeant                644319

Bye-name              Speedie.

Born                       1920.

Address                 38B, Off Commerce Street, Lossie.

Parents                   John Scott and Jessie Slater (Jess Tam).

Married                  No.

Occupation           Motor Mechanic with Adam Main.

Where died           6 December 1944.

Other

J Stewart

LAC

Possibly a repeat of LAC John Stewart RN, who was "attached to the Fleet Air Arm", since LAC is not a Navy rank.

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle

 

 

Peter Stewart

Flight Sergeant W/Op Air Gunner 632138 RAFVR

Bye-name              Patty or Patsy.

Born                       1921.

Address                 10 Union Street, Lossie.

Parents                   James Stewart and Catherine Stewart (Katie Loll).

Married                  No

Occupation           Fisherman, cook on the Briar (which was sunk on 12 Oct 1942, run down by HMT George Cussins. All 6 crew saved.)

Where died           Bomber Command, 16 Sept 1942, his Wellington bomber shot down and all crew killed.

Other                      Buried in Military Cemetery, Rhineberg, Near Dusseldorf

William Campbell Stewart

AC 1794046 RAFVR

Bye-name              Willie.

Born                       1925

Parents                   Mr and Mrs W Stewart, (Beesh), 51, Clifton Road.

Married                  No

Occupation           Butcher with Hutchison, Clifton Road, Lossie.

Where died           Died in an air-crash, South East Asia, 9 June 1945.

Other                      Brother of Robert Mowat Stewart, Royal Corps of Signals.

P Stuart

Sergeant

Bye-name             

Born                      

Address

Parents  

Married

Occupation

Where died

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle

Alexander Munro Taylor

Flight Sergeant 1561460 RAFVR

Bye-name              Codger.

Born                       1922

Address                 Clifton Road, later 12, St Gerardines Road.

Parents                   James A Taylor and Mary O Campbell.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Fish Buyer at Lossie Fishmarket for Alexander of Glasgow.

Where died           Bomber Command, 30 May 1943, in air operations over Belgium.

Other                      Buried in Belgium.   Brother John, RAMC, also killed.

James Jenkins Taylor

Flight Sergeant  1377207

Bye-name              Chatters.

Born                       1913 in Lossie.

Address                 London.

Parents                   Eldest son of Mrs Summers, 47, Clifton Road, Lossie.

Married                  Gwen, lived in Shepherds Bush, London.

Children Hamish/Henry.

Occupation           Painter with K M'Gillivray, then 8 years with McVitie and Price, in London.

Where died           Killed over Germany, Mar 1944 with the Pathfinders. Buried       in Germany with the rest of the crew

Other                      Not in Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle

 

Ronald West DFC and Bar

Flight Lieutenant 89405 RAFVR

Bye-name              Ronnie.

Born                       1918.

Address                 Chilcoot, Beach Brae, Lossie.

Parents                   David West, Artist, and Jessie Christie.

Married                  No.

Occupation           Student. Joined RAF in 1939.

Where died           Air Defence of Great Britain, 24 May 1944.

Other                      Fighter pilot, shot down several Junker 87's, DFC in 1942,           also bar in 1942.



ADDITIONAL SERVICEMEN, NOT ON THE MEMORIAL

Wm Baird, Sgt, Recce Corps

from Renton, married to Edith Gillespie, of 40, Moray Street. Regular soldier for 18 years. Family - William, and Greta.

Philip M Beange, Sgt RASC 939385

died 6 Mar 1943 at Shipley, Yorkshire. Married to Helen Thomson, children Philip, Ellen and George. Lived at Coulardbank Cottages Lossie. He was born in  Aberdeen, Nov 1901, was a baker with Austins of Elgin.

William Cordiner, Corporal, Motorcycle Rider, Austalian Army

born in Lossie and emigrated to Australia with his parents, William Cordiner and Annie Smith (Wokie) of Pitgaveny, Sydney. Married to Ellice XXX. Died 31 Oct 1945 in an accident. His Uncle was George Cordiner RASC.

George Hay, Pte Seaforths, 2824015

Died of wounds in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on 5 Feb 1945, aged 28. A farm servant at Easter Covesea.  Single. Parents Robert Hay and Helen Adam, 11 Moray Street, Lossie.

Alistair Lobban,  L/Corporal RE 2927665

Died 27 June 1940. Married to Jeannie Mowatt, Queens Lane, later 42 Clifton Road, Lossie.

Ronnie MacKinnon

Died of wounds Sept 1944 aged 28. Husband of Jean Helen Smith,     33A Queen Street. His Father lived at 34 High Street, Elgin.

Sgt Robert Reid (Paddy) McLean, Sgt RAF

From Ireland, married to Betty Main, Argyle Street. Killed in an accident in the Middle East, 10 July 1941. Son Robert in Vancouver.

Alex "San" Mitchell, RN

HMT Wyoming, struck a mine off Harwich, 20 May 1944. Born  1905. Lived in Buckie after marriage to Mary Helen Pirie. Children - Edward, George-Alec and Margaret.

Also his brother,

John Mitchell, RNR

On HMT James Ludford, while lifting a mine off Shields, 14 December 1939. Born 1900 in Lossie, but lived in Buckie after  marriage to Elizabeth Jane (Lizzie) Pirie, sister of the above. Children - Elizabeth, twins William and George, and Maggie Jessie.

Their parents were William Mitchell and Elizabeth Edwards.

Trooper Wm Bill Porter

Died following an accident in Italy, on 15 Jan 1944. His parents lived at Little Drainie, just South of Drainie Kirk, Lossiemouth.

Cpl Edward Pirie, ACC

Aged 32, killed in action in Italy, Nov 1944. Husband of Nan Crockett, 1, Brander Street, daughter Elizabeth. He was son of Alex Pirie, Linkwood Distillery and Mother 11, Land Street, Rothes. Nan's parents were Wm Crockett and Martha Cooper Murison.


Alexander Slater Skipper

Cedar Villa, Stotfield Road. Sandy aged 37, wounded onboard HMT Rosedean by accidental discharge of a rifle by a soldier on deck, the bullet passing through the deck. Died on Hospital Ship Amapoora. Parents Alex Garden Slater, and xxxxxx, Roseneath, Stotfield Road, Lossie. Married to Helen (Nellie) Addison, children Mary, Nan and Dennis.

Captain Alexander Smith, MN

"Wheelies" aged 59, of 60, Queen Street. Drowned when the tanker Ben Haan was sunk, thought to have struck a mine off Islay. Married to Eliz Smith (Leeb Bo). Children   Alec, Eleanor, and George (in Vancouver).

Geo Smith Leading Seaman RN

(Syke) 13, Union Street,and 37 Menzies Road, Torry, died in accident at Cardiff  when working in the tiller room of his ship on 22 Oct 1942, aged 37. Married to Helen Reid, children, Nettie, Alec and William.

Jas Stewart, Master Mariner, USA

Killed in Guantanamo, Cuba, 8 Mar 1942 aged 52 after his tanker was attacked by a submarine. Because of his survival suit, it was not realised that he was bleeding to death. He emigrated to USA some years earlier. Parents, James Stewart and Jessie Mitchell, 16, Commerce St. Married to Mary 'Cole' Mitchell, with two daughters, Jessie Isobel, and Hazel. Lived at 108 Oak Street, New York.

William Stewart, Cook

on the FV United, on ferrying duties at Scapa Flow, died 24 Nov 1940. Born Lossie.  Mentioned in Edinburgh Castle Memorial. Son of William Stewart and  Maggie Farquhar, 22, Union St. His death in Lossie was not war-related.

Wm G Whyte, Driver

Died in Germany on 28 Sept 1941. Married to Margaret Grant, children, Margaret, Billy and Pat. She lived at 3, Ramsay Lane, Lossie with her sister Mrs Katie Watt, then moved to Bradford after the war. He was from Buckie.

George Wilson, Royal Marine Commandos

"Podge", 33, Elgin Road. Killed at the landing in Walcheren, Holland on 2 Nov 1943, aged 23. The Wilson family left Lossie around the beginning of the war, possibly to Elgin, then later to England. Both Wilsons were plasterers with Colin Menzies. Parents, William Wilson and Jessie FS McLeod.

 

 


 THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

 

Annie Bella Stewart, daughter of Mr and Mrs George Stewart (Stanies),    39 Commerce Street, Lossie, drowned when the SS Athenia, 13,581 tons, en route from Glasgow to Montreal, was torpedoed nine hours after war had been declared, 56 44'N 14 05'W. Of the 1418 passengers and crew, all but 112 were saved, mainly by the Norwegian freighter Knut Neilson and the Swedish yacht Southern Cross. Her brother William was killed 23 May 1941, and her Father died on 8 July 1941. She worked in the USA and was returning there after a holiday in Lossie.

 

Robert John Wilson, born 1906, son of Alexander Wilson and Margaret Alexander, brother of Sophie. He was working in Canada on railroad construction when the war started. He left his work to return to the Territorials and was never seen again. It is thought that he had managed to board a ship which was sunk in the Atlantic in late 1939.

 

Hugh Wood, formerly of 4 High Street, and his children John and Margaret,  in the Clydebank Blitz in March 1941, his son Hugh surviving. His parents were William Wood, Boatbuilder and Jean Wood.

 

The two couples killed in the bombing on the night of 12th July 1941 all in 6 Dunbar Street.

Clarissa Leighton, 61, nee Redman,

Joseph Hartley Leighton 61, retired shipwright         

Eliza Wilson, 68,                 

John Wilson, 61, cooper.

The Leightons had come to Lossie because they had a daughter whose husband was stationed at the Aerodrome, after their home in Portsmouth had been destroyed by bombs, and were lodging with the Wilsons, whose daughter was Mrs Helen Campbell, 4 James Street, Lossie, also Elizabeth, Hugh and William.

 

Those killed when a Wellington bomber crashed on their houses at 45 and 49 Church Street, (now 65 and 69) opposite the Cross, on the morning of Sunday 20th May 1945. The war in Europe ended on 8th May.

Mrs Johan (Joey) Flood (nee Phimister) 37,and her five sons,

Jackie 14,    James 12,    Sinclair 7,    George 5,    David 3.

(Mr John Flood and his only daughter Jeannie, 10, escaped through a window, having been in the kitchen making a cup of tea.)

Mrs Edith Allan 66, widow of James Allan, and her adopted daughter

Vera Drummond aged 19.

Mrs Allan's son James was killed on 21 May 1940 in the Seaforths.

She had another son, John, who survived the war.

Eight others in the two ground-floor flats in the block, including a baby a few weeks old, survived.

 

The three crew-members of the Wellington were also killed.

Pilot Officer RD Rickard of Manchester

Pilot Officer DR Cameron

Sergeant CGW Mawby of London.

 

A few months earlier, a bomber crashed near the Seatown, about 200 yards away, narrowly missing the houses. The crew of 5 perished but there were no civilian casualties.