On 11 Apr 1917 Second Lieutenant James Montgomerie McAlpin MA died in France.
James McAlpin was born 26 May 1889, in Partick, the son of Thomas Letham McAlpin (Chief Marine Engineer) and Annie née Montgomerie. Although not a native of the parish his inclusion on Rogart’s war memorial is due to his wife, Mary née MacKay, being the daughter of Gabriel MacKay, Achvoan and later Tordarroch.
James’s father had died in 1901 leaving Annie a widow at the age of 37, but James was able to attend Glasgow Provincial Training College from 1907 to 1910 where he graduated MA. According to his first matriculation slip (R8/5/28/5), McAlpin enrolled in 1907 for classes in Latin and Mathematics. He listed his term time address as West Graham St, and his home address as 123 Main St, Wishaw. According to the Register of Members of the General Council for 1911 (DC183/11/38), McAlpin became a teacher in Wishaw upon graduating.
In 1914 James Montgomerie McAlpin enlisted at Govan the 6th Cameron Highlanders as a Private, (regimental number S/1276 before being commissioned on 12 March 1916 as a Second Lieutenant in 8th Bn., King’s Own Scottish Borderers. James is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 6) at the entrance to the Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery in France, listed on the Rogart war memorial and Glasgow Provincial Training College war memorial.
James’s son, also named James Montgomerie McAlpin, was born posthumously at Achvoan. Mary, his widow, subsequently married Donald Campbell Jack in 1937.
Thanks to Ian MacKay for sharing his research.