War Diary entry showing the missing from 26th March 1916

Buchan Observer 11th April 1916
Casualties among Buchan Soldiers
Peterhead men killed and wounded

Mrs George McRobbie, Fair View, Ronheads Peterhead, received official information that her husband L.Cpl G.C. McRobbie, Gordon Highlanders has been killed in action.  He leaves a young family of three – two boys and a girl.  In a letter to Mrs McRobbie the chaplain of the battalion wrote: “You will have already received the official news of your husband’s sad death. As chaplain of the battalion I write to give you the information at my disposal.  Your husband was on duty in the front line with his platoon when a mine was exploded almost immediately beneath where he was.  He and a large number of others were buried beneath the debris.  Most of them died instantaneously with the explosion which was terrific.  You will have the comfort of knowing that he suffered no pain.  Although the place was under fire an effort was made to recover the bodies and was continued for three nights.  Only five bodies were recovered but your husband was not one of them.  He still lies where he fell.  Our boys took every risk and made great efforts to recover the bodies, but without success.  When we knew that recovery was impossible I went up to the spot and standing as near the crater as possible I conducted a short service.  Christian words have therefore been said over them.  A cross will be erected in the cemetery near-by on which your husband’s name will be inscribed.  The commanding officer joins with me in offering you our sincere sympathy.”

Mr John Gill, Baker, 12 Love Lane, Peterhead, has been notified that his fourth son Pte William Gill, Gordon Highlanders, has also been killed in action.  Pte Gill who was 23 years of age was employed with Mr John Reid, contractor, Peterhead, prior to the outbreak of the war. A letter in similar terms to the above has been received by Mrs Gill from the chaplain at the front explaining the circumstances of the death of her son, who was killed on the same occasion and buried with his comrades, and conveying the sympathy of the commanding officer and the chaplain of her loss.

Letters have also been received by the parents and relatives of other local Gordon Highlanders who met their death at the same time.

Information has been received by Mrs Duncan 88 Longate Peterhead that her husband Pte Charles Duncan has been killed in action. Pte Duncan who was 25 years of age enlisted in May 1915. In civil life he was a carter in the employment of Mr James Sutherland, carting contractor, Peterhead. He leaves a widow and a young family of three.

Mrs John Robb 32 Constitution Street Peterhead has also received information that her brother Pte John Geddes, Gordon Highlanders, has been killed in action. Pte Geddes who was 29 years of age was a widower and leaves three young children. He enlisted on January 16 1915, prior to which he was a carter with Mr John Reid, carter and contractor, Peterhead. Mrs Robb has received a letter from the chaplain similar to the above with expressions of sympathy on the death of Private Geddes who, he says, was a promising soldier and died a soldier’s death.

Mr and Mrs Alexander Kindness, 1 High St New Deer, have received intimation that their second son, Pte Fred Kindness has been killed in action.  He was in his 10th year and was a farm servant prior to enlistment.

Mr Henderson, shoemaker, 52 Cross St Fraserburgh has received word that his son Myles Henderson has been killed at the front. Before joining the Gordons he was a tailor with Mr Purdie, High Street and was a young man of fine physique. His brother Lance-Corporal Henty Henderson has been missing since the battle of Loos.

Buchan Observer 25th April 1916
Back from the Dead
Missing Buchan Gordons reported Prisoners

Mrs John Robb, 34 Constitution Street Peterhead, who some time ago received intimation from an army chaplain that her brother, Private Geddes, Gordon Highlanders had been killed in action, and later on was officially notified that he was killed, has now received the glad news from her brother that he is a prisoner of war in Germany.

On a postcard dated April 13, Private Geddes says “I am a prisoner in Germany and am at present in Reserve Lazarette Mariahilf, Aachen.  I am well and receiving good treatment.”

Mr Henderson, shoemaker Cross Street Fraserburgh received good news from Germany.  Three weeks ago he was officially informed that his son Myles Henderson, a Gordon Highlander, had been buried alive owing to the explosion of a mine, but on Friday he received a postcard from his son stating that he was a wounded prisoner at Aachen, but was getting on well.

Mr Alexander Turriff, Overside St Fergus, some time ago received intimation from an army chaplain that his son Private James Turriff, Gordon Highlanders, had been killed in action. He has now received a postcard from him that he is quite well and a prisoner of war in Germany.

Buchan Observer 2nd May 1916
Four Peterhead Gordons Prisoners
Previously Reported Killed

The welcome news was received in Peterhead on Thursday that four local Gordon Highlanders, previously reported as killed and later officially reported as missing, are all prisoners at Dulmen Westphalia, Germany.  Their names are Lance Corporal G. Mc Robbie, Privates Charles Duncan, William Gill and R. Wemyss.
Mrs McRobbie, Fair View Roanheads has received a postcard, dated 3rd April from her husband, Lance Corporal G. McRobbie, which informs her that he is in the best of health and that his new address is – “British Prisoner of War, L.Cpl McRobbie, Company 3 Barracks, Dulmen Westphalia, Germany”.
Privates Duncan and Gill write to their relatives and Private Slessor to a friend, from the same address as above, all stating that they are well.  Their homes addresses are respectively 62 Longate, 12 Love Lane and 44 Longate, Peterhead.