On 22 January 1915 Private John James MacKay of Tannachy, died in Bedford, aged 19.
Son of James MacKay and Isabella née Sutherland of North Tannachy, John was born in Rogart in 1895 and that was also where he enlisted in ‘B’ Company, 1/5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders Territorial Force.
John had contracted measles and was then seized by an attack of scarlet fever at the Bedford Isolation Hospital where, it was said, he had received expert nursing care.
He had been “a dutiful son, and from his early boyhood he industriously helped in providing for the maintenance of the home, while was also ever ready to be of help to neighbours in the busy seasons of the spring and harvest, as well as at other times”.
His remains were conveyed from Bedford to Pittentrail by rail. At his funeral there was a large gathering of bereaved relatives as well as a detachment of the Rogart Territorials.
He was buried in Rogart new cemetery and listed on the Rogart war memorial. John James MacKay’s name is also recorded in the Clan Mackay Society war memorial roll of honour
Thanks to Ian Mackay for the research he has undertaken.