May 4, 1888

Born in Leith, Scotland

Jun 9, 1915

Attested into the 35^th Battalion at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 

Ø      Number 405630

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Beatrice Macrae, mother, 23 Balfour St., Dundee, Scotland

o       There is a note in the file to also notify Miss Thomson, 27 West Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Upholsterer

Ø      Previous military experience given as the 48^th Highlanders, Canadian Militia

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

Oct 16, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

His service number on the Embarkation Roll is recorded as 405130.  This number is erroneously repeated a few times in his service file.

Oct 25, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England

Nov 24, 1915

Admitted to the Aldershot Military Hospital.  There is no reason given in the file for this

Dec 8, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 1, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 2, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1916

Left the CBD to join the battalion

Apr 20, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trench near Voormezeele, Belgium, south of Ypres

Sep 15, 1916

During the battalion’s advance on a German strong point in a sugar refinery near Courcelette, Private Macrae was first reported to be missing, then later confirmed to have been killed in action and was buried in the Ovillers Military Cemetery, Ovillers-La-Boiselle France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross (shown below) were sent to his mother, Mrs. B. Macrae, 121 Brompton Rd., Hawkhill, Dundee, Scotland

The remainder of his medals and Plaque are missing.  If you know of their location, please contact the webmaster