There is a plaque in Kenmore Church commemorating seven local servicemen who gave their lives in World War 2: 

Donald Anderson, Guardsman, Scots Guards; 
Donald Beaton, Private, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; 
Kenneth A M Gillies, Captain, The Black Watch, RHR; 
Robert Hutchison, Major, The Black Watch, RHR; 
Donald Mackercher, Corporal, Royal Air Force; 
Dugald McNiven, Home Guard; 
Hamish McRae, Sapper, Pioneer Corps. 

We don’t know much about these servicemen, but what little we do know is recorded below.

DONALD ANDERSON, GUARDSMAN, SCOTS GUARDS 

Donald Anderson was born on 9 February 1919 at Stix, Aberfeldy.  

His parents were James Anderson, wood cutter, and Jessie Anderson maiden surname Robertson, who were married on 12 July 1911 at Dull. Donald was one of four brothers, and was the fourth-born of James and Jessie’s six children. 

The 1921 census, taken on Sunday 19 June 1921, shows Donald Anderson as aged 2 years and living at Styx, Dull and Weem, with his parents and siblings Lizzie, James, Alexander and twins John and Margaret.  Donald’s widowed maternal grandfather Thomas Robertson a retired labourer, lived with the family.  The census records that Donald’s parents, and his grandfather, spoke both Gaelic and English. 

In November 1937, when Donald was aged 18, his mother Jessie died.  The Perthshire Advertiser recorded her as being:

 “a well-known native who was of an ‘obliging and cheerful nature, and frequently went out to nurse sick persons”

She was a member of the Women’s Guild of Kenmore Church. 

Donald Anderson enlisted in the Scots Guards on 31 January 1938 at Perth.  His papers show his trade as labourer, his age as 18, and that he was unmarried.  He was 5ft 9 ½ inches tall, with a fresh complexion, dark hair and brown eyes.  His next of kin was recorded as his father James Anderson of Styx Cottages, by Aberfeldy. 

Donald was stationed with the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards in the UK from the date of his enlistment until 18 November 1938, and in Egypt from 19 November 1938 until 25 November 1942.    

Donald’s army record shows him as declared missing on 13 June 1942 and recorded as a POW on the same date.  

A report by the Rev A J Symonds listing prisoners of war who died at Prisoner of War Camp PG53, Sforzacosta, Italy includes Donald Anderson, Guardsman, army record number 2695866 who died on 25 November 1942.  

Donald was awarded the 1939/1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Defence Medal, and the War Medal. 

The final page of Donald Anderson’s service record shows his father James’s address as 7 Balnaskeag, Kenmore. 

Official Scottish Death Service Returns show Donald Anderson aged 23, born Scotland, died 25.11.1942 in Italy whilst a POW.  His army number was recorded as 2695866 Gdn.  

Donald Anderson’s service record shows him as being buried at Macwata, Middle East.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show Donald Anderson as being buried or commemorated at Ancona War Cemetery, Italy. (Source www.cwgc.org)  

The 9 January 1943 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser carried the following item under the heading ‘Soldier Dies In Italian Prison Camp’ – 

“Mr James Anderson, Styx, has received intimation that his son, Guardsman Donald Anderson, Scots Guards, has died in a prisoners of war camp in Italy.  Deceased was one of four sons on active service.  He enlisted in the Scots Guards two years before the war, and served with his Battalion in Egypt from the beginning of the campaign.  He was taken prisoner at Tobruk in June.  The circumstances of his death have not been made known. “ 

 Donald’s brother Alexander, a Signalman, was a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp in Malaya. It is believed he returned home in 1945.

DONALD BEATON, PRIVATE, ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS  

 

Donald Beaton was born on 28 April 1922 in Kenmore.  His parents were Hector Beaton, cattleman and Annie Beaton who were married on 29 November 1911 in Oban.  

Donald was the youngest of Hector and Annie’s five children, the others being Katie, John, Angus (who died aged 13 in a drowning accident near Remony Point in 1931), and Jessie.  

The 19 August 1944 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser carried the following item under the heading ‘Acharn Lad Killed in Italy’ 

“Mr and Mrs Hector Beaton, Acharn, Aberfeldy, have received intimation that their youngest son, Donald, has been killed in action in Italy.  Deceased was serving as a private with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and went overseas some eighteen months ago.  He was 22 years of age, and for some years before joining the Forces he was employed on the Drummond Hill plantations with the Forestry Department.  He was very popular among his fellow workers, and will be much missed. “

The Army Roll of Honour and Official Scottish Death Service Returns state that Donald Beaton of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) was killed in action in Italy on 25 July 1944. 

KENNETH A M GILLIES, CAPTAIN, THE BLACK WATCH RHR  

Kenneth Alastair Mackenzie Gillies was born on 30 March 1919 at Mains of Kenmore.  His parents were William Alexander McKinnon Gillies, Minister of Kenmore Parish, and Margaret Gillies 

Kenneth was the youngest of three children – his sister Barbara Sinclair Gillies was born on Tiree in 1907, and his sister Margaret MacKenzie St Clair Gillies was born in Fort William in 1911. 

Official Scottish Death Service Returns show that Kenneth Alastair Mackenzie Gillies P/162563, 2nd Lt (Acting Captain), age 23, was killed in action on 11 or 12 January 1943 in Libya. 

The 13 February 1943 edition of the Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser included an article headed ‘Killed in Action in Middle East’ – 

“Intimation has been received that Captain Kenneth A M Gillies, only son of Rev Wm A Gillies, BD, Minister of Kenmore, has been killed in action in the Middle East.

“After his training as a cadet officer at Perth and Aldershot, Captain Gillies was gazetted over two years ago to the Black Watch.  He served in Shetland for some months and later was attached to the Highland Regiment where he helped to train young soldiers under twenty, although he himself was little over that age. 

“Before the 51st Division embarked for Egypt, he was recalled to his own battalion.  In the course of the fighting at Alamein he was promoted Captain, and at one stage of the battle he was appointed to command his company.  After the battle he was for a short time on leave. 

“Captain Gillies was educated at Breadalbane Academy, Aberfeldy and George Watson’s College, Edinburgh.  When he joined the Army he was a medical student at the University of St Andrews, and an enthusiastic member of the OTC. 

“Having taken chemistry on the BSc standard he was keenly interested in explosives and mines, and was regarded in his battalion as an authority on such matters.  One night he captured an enormous ammunition and explosive store from the Italians.  He said it almost made him weep to destroy it, but as he and his men were at the time more or less surrounded by the enemy he had no alternative but to put it up. 

“He was well known and much loved in the Aberfeldy and Kenmore districts, where he took part in all manly sports and was a frequent winner of prizes at Gun Club and rifle competitions.  He was of a most cheerful buoyant and happy nature, and one born to inspire and to lead men.  

“He was keenly interested in nature, and his letters from the Middle East were full of his observations of animals, birds and flowers that came under his notice. 

“A memorial service for him was held at Kenmore Church, when a large and sorrowing congregation gathered to pay tribute to a brave and beloved Captain of the famous Black Watch. 

“The father of Captain Kenneth Gillies is widely known as the author of that important and comprehensive work ‘In Famed Breadalbane’.  It is a standard work and provides the history, the Antiquities, Lands and People, and annals of a wide Highland district.  The whole book is presented with accuracy, meticulous care, clearness and dignity. 

“With regard to the death in action in the Middle East of Captain Gillies, it has now been disclosed that he was strongly recommended for a military decoration for the part he played in the great Battle of Alamein.”

The article goes on to say: 

“In a letter home after the battle, Captain Gillies himself referred to his promotion, and added that his name had been put up for an award for gallantry, but he added ‘I do not expect to hear anything more about it as many others did better than I’. “  

ROBERT HUTCHISON, MAJOR, THE BLACK WATCH RHR 

Robert Hutchison was born on 24 June 1914 at Kirkcaldy, Fife.  His parents were John Key Hutchison, flour miller and merchant, and Ethel Hutchison.  

The 18 August 1943 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser included the following  item headed ‘Perthshire Officer Dies Of Wounds’ – 

“Intimation has been received by Mr and Mrs J K Hutchison, of Kinloch, Fife and Bolfracks, Aberfeldy, that their elder son, Major Robert Hutchison, serving with the Black Watch in Sicily, died of wounds received in action on 1st August. 

“The late Major Hutchison was an officer in the Territorial Army when the war began, and went overseas with the 51st Division in June 1942.  He sustained wounds at El Alamein, and after recovery fought with the H L I.  Before the invasion of Sicily he rejoined his former regiment, the Black Watch, and was serving with them when he was again wounded.  Major Hutchison was well known in the Kenmore and Aberfeldy districts, and was most popular with all classes.”

The 24 August 1946 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser included the following item headed ‘Dedication’ – 

“At a special service held in Kenmore Church a bronze mural tablet was dedicated to the memory of Major Robert Hutchison, 7th Bn, The Black Watch, who was killed in action in Sicily on 1st August 1943.  Among those present were his parents Mr and Mrs J K Hutchison, of Bolfracks, Aberfeldy, and Kinloch, Fife; their son Major D Hutchison; and their daughters the Misses Joan and Peggy Hutchison; Col C Cathcart and Capt D F Russell, brother officers, many friends of the family and the estate servants.  The service was conducted by the Rev William A Gillies, DD”. 

Official Scottish Death Service Returns show that Robert Hutchison Capt (Temp Maj), The Highland Light Infantry (Territorial Army), aged 29, No 66747 died on 1 August 1943 at 174 Field Ambulance, Sicily, of wounds received in action.  There is a brass plaque dedicated to Major Hutchison in Kenmore Church.

DONALD MACKERCHER, CORPORAL, ROYAL AIR FORCE 

Donald McKercher was born on 25 June 1912 at Glendochart, Killin.  His parents were Clement Guthrie McKercher, gamekeeper, and Janet McKercher.

Donald was the fourth of Clement and Janet’s seven children. 

The 1921 census shows schoolboy Donald McKerchar aged 8 living at Upper Farrochill between Bolfracks and Duntuim, with his mother Janet aged 42, and siblings Mary aged 13, Thomas aged 12, Isabell aged 11, Catherine aged 6, James aged 4, and Clement aged 4 months.  

Donald’s brother Thomas, an assistant gamekeeper, died aged 17 in a shooting accident in January 1926.

The surviving three MacKercher brothers – Donald, James and Clement were all in the Forces in WW2.  

Donald MacKercher, gamekeeper, aged 26 of Northfield, Bonhill and Isabella Barr, clerkess, aged 27 of 3 Station Road, Dumbarton, were married on 22 March 1939 at 3 Station Road, Dumbarton.  Groom’s parents were Clement Guthrie MacKercher , gamekeeper, and Janet MacKercher.  

The 14 June 1944 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser included the following item headed ‘Died On Active Service’ – 

“Intimation has been received by Mr Clement McKercher, Fort Lodge, Kenmore that his eldest son Corporal Donald McKercher, RAF, has died in a hospital at Calcutta.  Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was a gamekeeper in Dumbartonshire, and joined up at the beginning of hostilities.  His brother James, also in the RAF, is in India.  After a separation of seven years, the two brothers met in the East.  The youngest brother, Clement, served in West Africa with the RAF, and is at present in this country.  Deceased leaves a widow who lives at Dumbarton”.  

Official Scottish Death Service Returns show that Donald MacKercher, LAO 992259, died on 9 June 1944 at 47 British General Hospital, Calcutta, India. 

DUGALD MCNIVEN, HOME GUARD 

Dougall McNiven was born on 22 February 1903 at Kirkton, Balquidder.  His parents were Duncan McNiven, gamekeeper, and Catherine McNiven maiden surname Andrew who were married at Glen Ogle Head, Killin.  Informant was his father Duncan McNiven. 

Dougall was the eldest of three children, his siblings were his sister Morag and brother Robert. 

The 1921 census shows Dugald McNiven as aged 18 and an out-of-work seaman deck hand employed by the Loch Tay Steamboat Company, living at Gate Lodge, Kenmore with his father Duncan McNiven, aged 44, an out-of-work pierman employed by the Loch Tay Steamboat Company, his mother Catherine aged 38, a caretaker employed by Breadalbane Estate Office, his sister Morag aged 15, a clerkess employed by Bread(albane) Estate Office, and his schoolboy brother Robert Andrew aged 10.  

Dougald McNiven and May Helena Cowper were married at Scoonie, Fife in 1935.  The couple had two sons, Duncan born in 1937 (died 1988 in Aberfeldy), and David born in 1938 (died 2005 in Aberfeldy).  Dougald’s widow May Helena Cowper remarried in Perth in 1952 to George Morgan, and died in 1989 in Aberfeldy, Dull & Weem.  

Dougald McNiven, master mariner married to May Helena Cowper, died aged 37 on 18 August 1940 at the Royal Infirmary, Perth.  Usual residence The Square, Kenmore.  His parents were Duncan McNiven, gamekeeper, and Catherine McNiven maiden surname Andrew.  Informant was his father Duncan McNiven, The Reading Room, Kenmore.  

The 23 August 1940 edition of the Blairgowrie Advertiser included an item headed ‘Grenade Explosion – Casualties in North Perthshire Accident’ –  

“A well known Perthshire laird Major T D Mirrieless of Garth was instantaneously killed on Saturday as a result of the explosion of a hand grenade.  The accident occurred in the grounds of Garth House while members of the Home Guard were undergoing a training course in the use of hand grenades. 

“Several other persons were injured.  Four of them – Captain D McNiven of the Kenmore, the LMS steamer on Loch Tay; Mr A Fraser, plumber, Kenmore; Mr A McCallum, forester, Kenmore; and a soldier, Sergeant Wallace – were conveyed by ambulance to Perth Infirmary where Captain McNiven succumbed to his injuries”.  

The 24 August 1940 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser included an item headed ‘Kenmore Victim of Grenade Explosion – Last Tributes to Captain Dugald McNiven’:

“The funeral of Captain Dugald McNiven, one of the victims of the grenade explosion which occurred during Home Guard training at Garth House last Saturday evening, took place on Wednesday from Kenmore Church to the churchyard. 

“As a result of the explosion, Major D Mirrielees of Garth was killed outright and Captain McNiven was severely wounded in the chest by splinters from the grenade, despite which he bravely assisted his comrades.  Along with the three other injured men, Mr A C Fraser, Mr Ronald McCallum, and Sergeant Wallace of the Black Watch, he was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary, but before morning he died from haemorrhage and shock. 

“Captain McNiven was the son of Mr Duncan McNiven and Mrs McNiven, caretakers of the Kenmore Reading Rooms and Library.  He was 37 years of age and married.  His widow is left with two young boys to mourn his loss.  Captain McNiven as a lad entered the service of the Loch Tay Steamboat Company.  From there he passed to the British Mercantile Marine, and for several years he sailed the seven seas as a seaman.  On the death of Captain Stewart of the ‘Queen of the Lake’, Captain McNiven was chosen by the Company to succeed him.  For this post he was eminently qualified by his experience in handling ships, and by his pleasant and affable manner.  He was well acquainted with the lore and the traditions of the Breadalbane district in which he had been born and brought up, and with great charm he could tell tourists stories connected to the lands around the beautiful loch.  He was gifted with the art of literary composition, and not a few of his efforts found their way to print. 

“Captain McNiven was a member of the Masonic Lodge Tay and Lyon, and for a time acted as secretary.  When the Local Defence Volunteers, now the Home Guard, were formed, he was one of the first to join at Kenmore.  In this movement, as in everything he took up, he showed great enthusiasm. 

“There was a very large and representative company of mourners at his funeral.  Almost every local member of the Home Guard was present, as well as many brethren of the Masonic Lodge….’”

The November 2003 edition of the Killin News included an item headed ‘Queen of the Lake’:

“The Captain of the “Queen of the Lake” in 1938 was indeed Dugald McNiven, a native of Loch Tayside; his father came from Ardeonaig and his mother from Glenoglehead. As a boy he lived with his parents, sister and brother at Morenish where his father was a gamekeeper and piper to Sir Joseph Todd of Morenish Lodge and as far as we know he attended Killin School. After the end of the 1914-18 war the family moved to Kenmore and Dugie, as he was known, joined the Merchant Navy and spent several years at sea before getting married and coming back to settle down in Kenmore with his wife May and his two little sons Pat and David. We do not know the dates but we assume he became Captain of the “Queen of the Lake” in the early 1930’s until it was withdrawn from service. Sadly he died at the early age of 38 as a result of injuries sustained in an accident while serving with the Home Guard. He was a talented, popular, and well known figure in the community, sorely missed.“ 

 

HAMISH MCRAE, SAPPER, ROYAL ENGINEERS  

According to his service record, Hamish MacRae was born in Edinburgh on 7 June 1921, and enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 15 October 1942 in Brighton, aged 21.  His next of kin was recorded as his father James MacRae of Pier House, Kenmore, Aberfeldy. 

Hamish’s parents were James MacRae and Amelia MacRae.

Hamish’s brother Peter McRae was born in August 1922. His father James was a chauffeur. 

According to various Perthshire Advertiser newspaper reports, Hamish was a pupil at Acharn Public School.  He played the violin at social events in the local area and in 1939, aged 17, placed second in the Perthshire Music Festival under-18 violin solo class.  

The 14 October 1944 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser includes an item headed ‘Kenmore Sapper Wounded’ – 

“Mr and Mrs James McRae, Kenmore, have received intimation that their elder son Hamish McRae has been wounded in North west Europe. He is a sapper, and crossed to Normandy at the beginning of the invasion. “

The 21 October 1944 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser included as item headed ‘Sapper Dies Of Wounds’ –  

“It is now officially reported that Sapper Hamish McRae, RE, elder son of Mr and Mrs James McRae, Pier House, Kenmore, previously stated to have been wounded, died in a hospital in Holland in September.  He was 23 years of age.  Before joining the Forces he was employed with the Forestry Commission on the Lochtayside plantations. 

“In a letter to his parents, his lieutenant says ‘At this end, we who had known your son for so long feel sorry for you.  To us his death meant the great loss of a fine and cheerful fellow. “

Official Scottish Death Service Returns show Hamish Macrae aged 23 No 14314240 Spr died on 28 September 1944 in North-West Europe of a fractured right femur and head injury as the result of a battle accident. 

_____________________

All the information above was collected from official records and newspaper archives. Name spellings vary in official documents and have been transcribed here as they appear in the documents. Many thanks to Fiona Smith for her excellent research. If you have further information on any of these brave men, or others who lived locally and died in WW2, please let us know.