Cromarty Archive

Item found in the garden of 21 High St

Item found in the garden of 21 High St

Date Added: 27 May 2011 Contributor: Estelle Quick Year: 1915 Picture No: 2950

This is a photo of something the MacBeaths found in their garden at 21 High Street ages ago. It's a metal plaque engraved "Presented to Mrs J Macdonald by friends in the 10th Batt. Seaforth Highlanders for hospitality while in Cromarty 17-3-15". It has come off the top of something, presumably some memento or ornament. Has anyone seen one of these before? And is the Mrs Macdonald John Macdonald's grandmother?

6 Comments

Estelle ..that is so wonderful to see ..that would have been my Grandmother who lived at 51 Church Street ..where I was brought up...I think my grandad was also in the Seaforth Highlanders ....I may still have his hat and Badge!!
Can I ask you please email me about this? ..Many Thanks John
Comment left on 27 May 2011 at 09:59 by John Macdonald
I've just been reading up about the 10th battalion. It was formed at Cromarty in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's 4th New Army. In March 1915 it moved to Fort George so this ties up with the date on the plaque. There's a short section on this in Angus Fairrie's excellent book on the Queen's Own Highlanders. Comment left on 28 May 2011 at 23:57 by Estelle Quick
My grandfather was also in the Seaforth Highlanders in WW1, having enlisted at Fort George, and was injured at the Battle of the Somme. Our research shows that the regiment trained in the hills and fields above Cromarty prior to going to fight, so your shield makes perfect sense as many of the soldiers would have been around the town then. A lovely find! Comment left on 10 July 2011 at 15:58 by Jeremy Price
John or Jeremy, I wonder if either of you have any photographs of members of the Seaforths? We have been trying to find a photograph of our Grandfather Andrew Clark, who was in Cromarty in 1915. Comment left on 02 August 2011 at 10:06 by Hazel clark
Have you tried the regimental museum at Fort George? They have a huge photographic and documentary archive. Their website is www.thehighlandersmuseum.com. Comment left on 02 August 2011 at 18:09 by Estelle Quick
I have contacted them Estelle and they have no actual record of my Grandfather although he did get the Military Medal in 1917. I suspect the only way to get any pictures will be for me to go there next time I am in the U.K. Problem is, none of us have any idea what he looked like!! Comment left on 02 August 2011 at 23:27 by Hazel Clark
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