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Lieut., 5th Battn. The Gordon Highlanders (T.F) attached to 51 Division, Cyclist Coy. Son of the Rev. Thomas McWilliam, M.A., Minister of Foveran Parish Church, co. Aberdeen, by his wife, Helen, daughter of the late George Murray Porteous of Crieff, formerly of Calcutta, India. Born New Byth, co. Aberdeen, 4th Nov. 1982. Educated at Fordyce Academy; Banff Academy, and the University of Aberdeen where he graduated M. A. in 1913. As a student of Law, he was indentured in the offices of Messers. Davidson & Garden, Advocates, Aberdeen. He joined U Coy., 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F) in 1910; volunteered for foreign service after the outbreak of war. He obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. 5th Gordon Highlanders 26th August 1914 and was trained at Bedford. He was subsequently offered, and accepted, service in the Cyclist Coy. where he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May 1915…He was killed in action near Arras 18th March 1916 and was buried at the cemetery of Louez. His Commanding Officer wrote: 'We all feel his loss deeply…As an officer he could always be relied on to give his best. He was well known by the Headquarters Staff…The Division knew his worth. His death is a loss not only to the officers but to the whole company,' and the Chaplain 'Of all the men I’ve met out here he was the most lovable. Keen, generous bubbling over with humour, always the same good-natured, good-hearted fellow. Everybody liked him and loved him. He was absolutely fearless, and cared nothing for danger. When he was hit he was repairing a communication trench and exposing himself to the same risk as the men under him. He was a fine example of the disinterested officer. …He was one of the best , and we shall all miss him more than we can say.' Lieut. McWilliam was unmarried. De Ruvignys Roll of Honour |
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