John Robert Sutherland

On 7 October 1918 Private John Robert Sutherland was killed in action, in Belgium. He was aged 34 years.

Born in Pittentrail, Rogart to parents John Sutherland (a road surveyor, Strathnaver) and Catherine née Sutherland of Santiago Villa, 31 Denny Street, Inverness. He enlisted at Partick, Glasgow into 8th Battalion Scottish Rifles with the regimental number of 36189.

Of the Craigton Sutherlands, the family had suffered great loss in recent years. In 1910 the oldest son, QSM Joseph William Sutherland had died in South Africa; in 1917 daughter Jane died in Farr; father, John Sutherland died at Inverness in April of 1918; the youngest son, Alexander, died in France in June of 1918 and now, four months later another son was lost to the war.

John was buried at Plot 3 Row H Grave 13 Oxford Road Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium with the grave inscription “Until the day dawn”. His name is listed on the Rogart war memorial (along with his brother Alexander) and also on the Kinlochbervie war memorial (also with his brother Alexander). He is commemorated on the family headstone in St. Callan’s churchyard, Rogart, (where it is stated as killed on 6 October 1918) and Syre war memorial, Strathnaver (where it is stated he died on 10 October 1918.)