The 5th Battalion (Buchan & Formartin)
the Gordon Highlanders
in the Great War

 
Introduction
 

  2677 Fred McKenzie

Above
A soldier of the Battalion in Service Dress, 1915
2677 Corporal Fred McKenzie


 

On Tuesday 20th October 1914, the Peterhead newspaper, the Buchan Observer, published a list of names and addresses of men from the local Territorial Force, the 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who had volunteered for foreign service.

There were about 1000 names published, but for various reasons not all the men listed proceeded to France with their unit in May 1915. 

That list is reproduced here together with additional information where it was available.  In addition, various other lists are included,  showing casualties that were reported in the Battalion War Diaries or in local newspapers.

The period covered was originally limited to 1914 to 1916, a time before heavy losses and conscription altered the strong regional identity of the Battalion.  I have since added information on other major engagements - in 1917 and 1918.  This is mainly to show the changes that occurred in the composition of the Battalion in those years. 

 
 
 
 
   Recent additions:
 
 
 




 



 
Acknowledgements
Many people have contacted me regarding the names of people who appear in this site – both requesting and supplying information.  I welcome enquiries and I'm more than willing to supply any information I have, not all of which is on this site. Contributors are acknowledged at the appropriate places. 
 
I would appreciate any feedback, especially regarding errors or additional information that could be included.
 
Carolyn Morrisey
Melbourne 2014

 


Compiled by Carolyn Morrisey 2005
Last updated 8th May 2015