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In
2017-18
Groam
House
Museum
organised
a
project
to
explore
the
impact
of
WWI
in
the
area,
both
for
those
at
home
and
serving
abroad.
Before
this
project
we
knew
little
more
than
that
local
men
had
served
abroad.
For
several
months,
over
30
participants
researched
archives,
visited
other
collections,
trawled
through
newspaper
accounts
and
contacted
families
to
share
memories
and
photographs.
A
picture
of
life
on
the
Black
Isle
emerged.
A
creative
writing
course
then
used
this
research
as
inspiration
for
short
stories.
As
this
display
shows,
a
huge
amount
of
information
was
discovered,
including
two
long-forgotten
facts.
There
were
troops
stationed
here
-
the
little-known
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion.
Even
more
surprisingly,
a
boom
stretching
between
Fort
George
and
and
Rosemarkie
was
built,
part
of
defences
to
protect
Inverness
and
the
US
Navy
mine-assembling
base.
Binders
of
information
are
available
at
Groan
House
Museum
and
Fortrose
Library
with
further
details
and
a
list
of
all
those
from
the
local
area
known
to
have
served.
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
Click
on
the
picture
above
to
start
your
tour,
or
click
on
the
overview
of
the
exhibition
to
your
left
to
navigate
your
own
way
around
The
impact
of
World
War
I
on
Rosemarkie,
Fortrose
and
Avoch
Photo
Copyright
Imperial
War
Museum
This
project
and
exhibition
were
funded
and
supported
by
the
Heritage
Lottery
Fund,
The
Highland
Council
and
Groam
House
Museum.
Leave
exhibition
OUR
BOOK
AND
GIFT
SHOP
Before
you
leave……
Don’t
forget
to
have
a
look
at
our
selection
of
books
relating
to
local
history
and
heritage,
the
works
of
George
Bain,
Celtic
art
and
the
history
of
the
Picts
and
of
Scotland.
In
our
shop
you
will
find
lots
of
relevant
gifts
at
a
wide
range
of
prices
-
from
postcards
to
pieces
of
jewellery
and
hand
crafted
items.
Leave
exhibition
The
impact
of
World
War
I
on
Rosemarkie,
Fortrose
and
Avoch
Our
exhibition
is
the
result
of
extensive
new
research
by
local
participants
to
find
out
more
about
the
men
who
went
to
war
and
about
those
who
stayed
behind.
It
illistrates
life
in
the
villages
before
the
war,
how
life
was
impacted
during
the
war,
and
how
life
was
changed
afterwards.
Move
the
cursor
over
the
scene
to
the
left
to
see
what
is
on
display,
and
click
on
any
item
to
see
more
detail.
Alternatively
move
the
cursor
over
the
layout
plan
below
and
left
to
see
what
is
on
display
-
and
click
on
the
individual
markers
to
explore
more
detail.
Back
to
introduction
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
Case
1
Case
2
Browsing
table
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
(display
hidden
from
this
view)
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
Use
the
mouse
to
browse
through
the
panorama
of
the
exhibition
above,
or
use
the
map
to
the
left
-
click
on
the
black
bars
to
select
items
for
closer
view
Leave
exhibition
Browsing
table
WELCOME
TO
GROAM
HOUSE
MUSEUM
The
downstairs
exhibition
to
your
left
focuses
on
the
Picts
of
Rosemarkie.
From
the
700s
AD
onwards,
the
centre
for
Christianity
for
the
Inner
Moray
Firth
was
in
this
area.
Upstairs,
our
“The
Impact
of
World
War
I
on
Rosemarkie,
Fortrose
and
Avoch”
reveals
the
results
of
new
research
by
local
participants
on
how
the
war
affected
people
locally.
Also
in
the
museum
is
our
shop,
which
includes
a
well-selected
range
of
gifts
and
crafts
at
a
range
of
prices,
and
a
wide
range
of
books
on
the
Picts,
Scottish
history
and
Celtic
art.
We
are
an
independent
museum,
staffed
by
volunteers,
and
dependent
on
donations
and
sales
to
keep
going.
Please
support
us.
Exhibition
of
Pictish
stones
Museum
shop
Attendant
desk
Donations
box
Museum
shop
(books)
Upstairs
to
exhibition
Welcome
panel
Use
the
mouse
to
browse
through
the
panorama
of
the
exhibition
above,
or
use
the
map
to
the
left.
Leave
exhibition
Exhibition
area
-
right
hand
wall
Life
before
and
during
World
War
I
Back
to
introduction
Life
during
World
War
1
Cyclist
Battalion
and
Northern
Barrage
Life
before
World
War
I
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
information
on
each
group
of
panels;
click
on
a
group
of
panels
to
see
the
group
in
more
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Exhibition
area
-
left
hand
wall
Serving
in
the
war,
and
impact
of
the
war
Back
to
introduction
The
impact
of
the
war
Serving
in
the
war
effort
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
information
on
each
group
of
panels;
click
on
a
group
of
panels
to
see
the
group
in
more
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Exhibition
area
-
shelved
alcove
Back
to
introduction
Lower
shelf
Upper
shelf
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
summary
of
each
shelf;
click
on
the
shelf
to
see
more
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
Browsing
table
You
are
here
Alcove
-
top
shelf
Alcove
overview
“My
friends
the
Miss
Boyds”
Knitted
socks
Bronze
medal
“Dead
Man’s
Penny”
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
summary
of
each
item;
click
on
items
to
see
more
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
Browsing
table
You
are
here
Alcove
-
shelf
two
Alcove
overview
Donald
Patience
notebook
Ditty
box
Donald
Patience
photo
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
summary
of
each
item;
click
on
items
to
see
more
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
Browsing
table
You
are
here
Right-hand
wall
-
Section
1
Life
before
the
war
Wall
overview
Tourism
and
industry
Pre-war
Transport
Rifle
range
and
railway
Life
before
World
War
I
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Right-hand
wall
-
Section
2
Activities
locally
during
the
war
Back
to
Wall
overview
Signal
Station
and
mooring
buoys
for
minelayers
USS
Black
Hawk
Proposed
boom
between
Fort
George
and
Rosemarkie
The
northern
barrage
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Right-hand
wall
-
section
3
Life
in
the
area
during
World
War
I
Back
to
Wall
overview
Life
in
the
area
-
fundraising
Life
in
the
area
-
opportunities
Life
in
the
area
-
rationing
Life
in
the
area
during
WWI
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Left-hand
wall
-
section
1
Serving
in
the
war
effort
Back
to
Wall
overview
Places
where
local
people
served
Contribution
of
women
Avoch
Parish
Church
memorial
Serving
in
the
war
effort
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Left-hand
wall
-
section
2
Memorials
and
returning
to
normal
Back
to
Wall
overview
Returning
to
normal
Military
buildings
War
memorials
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Centre
display
-
side
1
Men
who
went
to
war
Back
to
introduction
The
Davidson
Brothers
Robert
Mustard
Ross
William
MacLeman
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Centre
display
-
side
2
Men
who
went
to
war.
Back
to
introduction
Alexander
Brook,
Hugh
Sutherland
Alexander
Leitch
Lewis
and
Hugh
Macintosh,
Donald
MacLeman
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on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Centre
display
-
side
3
Men
who
went
to
war
Back
to
introduction
Neuve
Chapelle
1915
John
Hossack
William
Smith
Robert
Jack
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on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
title
of
each
panel;
click
on
panels
to
see
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Case
1
Documents
Back
to
introduction
National
Health
Insurance
card
Local
pass
Certificate
of
Registration
Unemployment
book
Black
Isle
Farmers
minute
book
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on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
case
above
for
detail
of
each
item;
click
on
items
to
see
more
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Case
2
Making
life
more
bearable
Back
to
introduction
Greetings
cards
from
the
troops
Princess
Mary
gift
Cigarette
packet
US
Mine
layer
cartoon
Princess
Mary
letter
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on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Move
mouse
over
the
display
above
for
summary
of
each
item;
click
on
items
to
see
more
detail.
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
You
are
here
Browsing
table
Browsing
table
Details
of
the
volunteers
who
undertook
the
research
and
compiled
the
exhibition;
detailed
materials
from
the
research.
Back
to
introduction
The
research
team
Click
on
the
map
to
move
to
other
parts
of
the
exhibition
Introduction
Case
2
Case
1
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Soldiers
who
went
to
war
Life
before
and
during
the
war
Serving
in
the
war,
impact
of
the
war
Alcove
exhibits
Stairs
down
Browsing
table
You
are
here
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
LIFE
BEFORE
WORLD
WAR
I
Before
World
War
I,
Rosemarkie,
Fortrose
and
Avoch
were
quiet
communities,
with
populations
in
1911
of
339,
970
and
1782
respectively.
The
major
landowner
was
Mr
Fletcher
of
Rosehaugh
and
to
a
lesser
degree
the
Flowerburn
estate
near
Rosemarkie.
Farming
was
the
main
occupation,
and
fishing
in
Avoch.
Many
in
Avoch
were
also
employed
on
the
Rosehaugh
estate.
Photo
Groam
House
Museum
collection,
ROMGH.PA.94.030
Click
on
the
picture
(left)
to
return
to
overview
or
click
on
the
arrow
to
go
to
next
picture
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mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
picture.
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
Click
on
the
picture
or
arrow
to
progress
to
the
next
picture
LIFE
BEFORE
WORLD
WAR
I
Fishing
was
an
important
occupation
in
Avoch.
Many
in
Avoch
were
also
employed
on
the
Rosehaugh
estate.
Photo:
Avoch
Heritage
Association
Move
mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
picture.
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
Click
on
the
overview
to
take
a
wide
view
of
the
exhibition
space
and
navigate
around
Move
mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
or
reduce
picture.
Hawkhill
Hotel
Tourism
was
also
important,
especially
for
Rosemarkie
and
Fortrose.
Surprisingly
this
continued
throughout
the
war
years.
Avoch
also
had
visitors
during
the
Glasgow
Fair
fortnight,
mainly
people
with
family
connections
to
the
village.
WOOLLEN
MILL,
AVOCH
There
was
small-scale
industry
in
the
1800s:
weaving
in
all
three
villages,
ropemaking
in
Rosemarkie
and
shoemaking
in
Fortrose.
This
picture
shows
Geddes
Mill
in
Avoch,
built
in
1854.
It
closed
in
1908,
then
was
converted
into
housing,
called
“Factory
Buildings”.
In
1911
it
housed
14
families,
including
many
fishermen.
The
building
was
demolished
in
the
1950s.
Photo:
Avoch
Heritage
Association
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BEFORE
THE
WAR
Even
before
WWI,
the
Naval
Fleet
was
a
familiar
sight.
Cycle
hire
records
show
that
crews
regularly
came
ashore
to
Fortrose.
This
pre-war
picture
shows
the
pier
at
Fortrose.
The
admiralty
considered
but
then
rejected
using
it
during
the
war,
due
to
its
poor
state
of
repair
Photo
Groam
House
Museum
collection:
ROMGH.PA.94.141.1
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This
photo
from
before
the
war
shows
Chanonry
Point,
from
where
the
ferry
went
to
Ardersier
and
Fort
George.
The
building
in
the
foreground
is
the
Black
Isle
Combination
Poorhouse
which
was
used
to
billet
soldiers,marines
and
sailors
in
WWI.
Photo
Groam
House
Museum
collection:
ROMGH.PA.94.008
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Now
a
Catholic
Church,
the
Drill
Hall
was
originally
built
in
1881
for
the
local
territorial
forces.
There
was
an
associated
firing
range
at
Feddonhill.
Transport
communications
in
the
area
included
bus,
ferry
and
railway.
A
railway
branch
line
from
Muir
of
Ord
terminated
at
Fortrose
station,
giving
access
to
the
Black
Isle
for
tourists
and
later
for
troops.
Hastie’s
omnibus
provided
a
road
connection
between
Cromarty
and
North
Kessock
linking
with
the
ferry
to
Inverness.
Chanonry
Point
was
also
connected
to
Fort
George
by
ferry
which
was
used
during
the
war
to
transport
troops
and
laundry
to
and
from
Rosemarkie
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or
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picture.
Ordnance
Survey
Maps
2
nd
edition
Ordnance
Survey
map
1904
showing
Feddonhill
rifle
range
and
Fortrose
Railway.
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or
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picture.
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion
Detachments
of
the
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion
(HCB)
were
quartered
at
the
Black
Isle
Combination
Poorhouse,
Fortrose,
throughout
the
war.
Their
duties
were
patrol
and
topographical
surveys.
Locally,
they
also
trained
the
volunteer
force.
The
clubhouse
of
the
Fortrose
and
Rosemarkie
Golf
Club
was
used
as
a
guard
house.
Cyclist
battalions
were
“Mounted
Troops”.
Each
soldier
and
bicycle
formed
a
one-person
fighting
unit
carrying
full
equipment
and
rations.
Photo
Groam
House
Museum
Collection
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or
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picture.
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion
Newspaper
item:
Ross-Shire
Journal
1
January
1915
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picture.
The
Northern
Barrage
In
April
1917
800,000
tons
of
allied
shipping
-
equivalent
to
17
Titanics
-
were
sunk
by
German
U-boats.
As
part
of
their
contribution
to
stop
this,
the
U.S.
Navy
shipped
over
components
and
vessels
to
build
and
lay
sea
mines
between
Orkney
and
Norway.
In
the
Highlands,
bases
were
built
at
Inverness
and
Dalmore,
near
Invergordon,
in
Spring
1918.
U.S.
Navy
personnel
assembled
and
laid
most
of
the
mines,
escorted
by
the
Royal
Navy.
After
the
war,
the
difficult
task
of
removing
them.
Photo
Copyright
Imperial
War
Museum
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picture.
The
Northern
Barrage
Photo
shows
the
gun
emplacement
on
Chanonry
Ness
Photo
Copyright
Imperial
War
Museum
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Crown
Copyright
What
this
meant
for
our
area
Moorings
were
laid
off
Avoch
and
Kessock
for
the
minelayers.
A
channel
was
dredged
('the
Yankee
Channel')
to
allow
large
ships
to
approach
Inverness.
A
signal
station
was
built
at
Castleton,
west
of
Avoch,
mirroring
signals
at
Fort
George.
An
anti-submarine
boom
was
constructed
in
Inverness,
then
stretched
between
Fort
George
and
north
of
Rosemarkie,
with
two
gates
to
control
shipping
access.
Searchlights
and
a
gun
emplacement
were
placed
on
Chanonry
Ness.
Men
were
billeted
in
the
Black
Isle
Combination
Poorhouse
at
Fortrose,
sharing
quarters
with
the
Highland
Cyclist
Battalion
and
poorhouse
inmates.
To
the
left
is
an
Admiralty
Chart
updated
in
1918
specifically
for
the
Mine
Laying
Squadron,
showing
the
lit
'Yankee'
channel,
long
since
silted-up.
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March
1917:
German
U-boats
sink
3
neutral
US
merchant
ships
April
1917:
the
USA
declares
war
in
Germany
9
May
1917:
U.S.
Navy
proposes
a
minefield
between
Shetland
&
Norway,
to
contain
U-boats.
Estimated
cost
$200,000,000
U.S.
minelayers
arrive
Inverness
26
May
1918.
First
mines
laid
13
minelaying
excursions
made
Last
excursion
ready
on
30
October
1918
but
held
pending
the
Armistice
Massive
mine
clearing
operation
from
20
April
-
19
September
1919
The
Northern
Barrage
The
U.S.
Navy
used
10
minelayers
with
4,047
crew
capable
of
laying
5,834
mines
in
a
single
excursion.
In
addition
there
were
1,000
men
assembling
mines
at
each
base.
By
the
end
of
October
70,117
mines
were
laid
along
230
miles,
56,571
by
the
U.S.
Navy
and
the
rest
by
the
Royal
Navy.
The
U.S.
claimed
four
U-boats
were
sunk,
with
two
more
'probables';
Germany
admitted
three
were
lost.
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Rosemarkie
-
Fort
George
Boom
The
proposed
boom
between
Rosemarkie
and
Fort
George
was
constructed
between
April
and
July
1918.
Documents
state
that
the
anchors
on
the
Rosemarkie
side
were
a
bit
further
south
than
on
the
plan
to
the
left.
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picture.
Imperial
War
Museum:
Copyright
unknown
Rosemarkie
-
Fort
George
Boom
No
photo
or
trace
remains
of
the
boom
but
the
photo
to
the
left
shows
a
typical
WWI
boom
with
a
warship
entering
the
“gate”
Back
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USS
Black
Hawk
Flagship
of
Commander
US
Mine
Force
and
Force
repair
ship,
camouflaged,
Inverness.
The
Northern
Barrage
and
other
mining
operations
publication
No
2,
1920.
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glass
to
enlarge
or
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picture.
Admiralty
chart
Details
from
the
Admiralty
chart
updated
in
1918,
showing
the
signal
station
(circled
in
blue)
and
two
of
the
mooring
buoys
for
the
minelayers
(circled
in
red)
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Life
in
the
area
during
World
War
I
There
were
many
changes
at
home
during
the
war.
Blackout
regulations
were
in
force,
with
no
street
lighting.
Pubs
were
under
government
control
with
strict
licensing
laws.
The
newspapers
show
a
climate
of
fear,
where
the
public
was
urged
to
look
out
for
suspicious
people
and
to
watch
what
they
said
about
shipping
and
troop
movements.
At
the
same
time,
some
things
continued
as
normal.
Some
Avoch
“fisher
girls”
still
left
to
go
south
for
the
herring.
Many
local
societies
continued
to
meet.
Tourism
continued
to
attract
visitors.
Newspaper
item:
Highland
News
24
October
1914
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Life
in
the
area
(continued)
Fundraising
for
the
troops
and
a
variety
of
war
causes
was
a
constant
activity
in
all
communities,
by
individuals,
school
pupils
and
various
groups
and
organisations.
Significantly
people
continued
to
donate
throughout
the
war
years.
The
Black
Isle
Summer
Fete
in
1917
raised
over
£5,000,
worth
over
£320,000
in
2017
money.
It
featured
a
number
of
war
relics,
including
a
Berlin
bread
ticket!
Newspaper
item:
Ross-Shire
Journal
31
August
1917
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Life
in
the
area
(continued)
Lack
of
manpower
in
fishing
and
farming
contributed
to
food
shortages
locally,
especially
towards
the
end
of
the
war.
By
early
1918
food
controlling
orders
had
been
introduced.
Rationing
was
in
force
for
sugar,
tea,
butter,
margarine
and
meat,
and
bread
prices
were
fixed.
As
food
became
scarcer,
new
regulations
were
also
introduced
to
discourage
hoarding.
Authorities
discouraged
families
sending
food
to
the
troops.
Restrictions
for
animal
foodstuffs
followed
in
October
1918.
Coal
was
also
rationed.
As
can
be
seen
from
the
form
(left)
rationing
continued
after
the
war.
Military
personnel
were
a
part
of
local
life
in
sporting
competitions
and
attending
social
events.
The
bands
from
the
U.S.
Navy
and
U.K.
regiments
provided
music
for
some
occasions.
The
band
from
the
U.S.S.
San
Francisco
which
played
at
Fortrose
is
pictured
here.
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This
photo
has
been
loaned
by
Grace
MacKenzie
of
Fortrose.
It
was
taken
in
1917
and
is
of
the
staff
of
what
at
the
time
was
called
Sea
View
Laundry,
although
closer
inspection
reveals
“Rosemarkie
Laundry”
carved
on
the
stone
at
the
extreme
right
of
the
photo,
behind
the
head
of
the
man
with
the
white
apron.
Presumably
the
gentleman
at
the
extreme
left
hand
sde
is
John
Robb,
although
no-one
can
verify
this.
On
the
back
row,
third
left
is
Annie
Davidson,
known
as
Nando,
and
fourth
left
is
Molly
MacAskill.
Fifth
left
is
Jessie
Jean
Patience,
while
next
to
her
is
Janet
Reid
(Mrs
Patience),
mother
of
Isobell,
Jean
and
Catherine
Patience
of
Avoch.
Seventh
left
is
J
MacLeman.
In
the
moddle
row,
second
left
is
Janet
Patience
(Cent)
and
extreme
right
is
J
Patience.
Front
row
second
left
is
Annie
Ralph.
It
has
been
suggested
that
he
lady
third
from
the
right
in
the
front
row
is
a
MacIver,
but
no-one
can
confirm
this.
Life
in
the
area
(continued)
Wartime
brought
opportunities
as
well
as
hardship.
The
old
mill
in
Rosemarkie
was
converted
into
a
laundry
just
before
the
war,
and
renamed
Ootsey.
During
WWI
it
was
run
by
John
Robb,
who
also
owned
a
local
inn
and
shop.
He
expanded
the
business
with
state-of-the-art
equipment,
and
held
several
contracts
with
military
establishments
at
Fort
George,
Cromarty,
Invergordon
and
Inverness.
Laundry
came
across
the
ferry
from
Fort
George,
and
was
then
carted
to
Rosemarkie.
John
Robb
employed
26
workers,
20
of
them
women,
and
a
number
of
carters.
Laundry
would
be
dried
along
the
shore,
as
far
as
the
lighthouse.
Rosemarkie
Connections
by
Freda
Bassindale
(2015).
Photo
courtesy
of
Grace
MacKenzie
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to
enlarge
or
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Black
Isle
Farmers
Society
Minute
Book
The
minute
book
of
the
Black
Isle
Farmers
Society
provides
information
about
the
area
during
WWI,
including
their
participation
in
fundraising
activities.
Loan
from
private
collector
Back
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exhibition
layout
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take
a
wide
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exhibition
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mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
or
reduce
picture.
Unemployment
book
Public
transport
became
very
limited
during
the
war,
with
no
steamer
and
local
bus
services
apart
from
on
a
few
special
occasions.
From
1916
there
were
travel
restrictions
in
place
north
of
Inverness.
Residents
and
visitors
required
registration
cards,
complete
with
photographs.
Loan
from
Cromarty
Courthouse
Museum
Back
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of
exhibition
layout
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on
the
overview
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take
a
wide
view
of
the
exhibition
space
and
navigate
around
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mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
or
reduce
picture.
Certificate
of
Registration
Public
transport
became
very
limited
during
the
war,
with
no
steamer
and
local
bus
services
apart
from
on
a
few
special
occasions.
From
1916
there
were
travel
restrictions
in
place
north
of
Inverness.
Residents
and
visitors
required
registration
cards,
complete
with
photographs.
Loan
from
Cromarty
Courthouse
Museum
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
Click
on
the
overview
to
take
a
wide
view
of
the
exhibition
space
and
navigate
around
Move
mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
or
reduce
picture.
Local
Pass
Public
transport
became
very
limited
during
the
war,
with
no
steamer
and
local
bus
services
apart
from
on
a
few
special
occasions.
From
1916
there
were
travel
restrictions
in
place
north
of
Inverness.
Residents
and
visitors
required
registration
cards,
complete
with
photographs.
Loan
from
Cromarty
Courthouse
Museum
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
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on
the
overview
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take
a
wide
view
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the
exhibition
space
and
navigate
around
Move
mouse
over
magnifying
glass
to
enlarge
or
reduce
picture.
National
Health
Insurance
Contribution
card
Public
transport
became
very
limited
during
the
war,
with
no
steamer
and
local
bus
services
apart
from
on
a
few
special
occasions.
From
1916
there
were
travel
restrictions
in
place
north
of
Inverness.
Residents
and
visitors
required
registration
cards,
complete
with
photographs.
Loan
from
Cromarty
Courthouse
Museum
Back
Overview
of
exhibition
layout
Click
on
the
overview
to
take
a
wide
view
of
the
exhibition
space
and
navigate
around
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mouse
over
magnifying
glass
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enlarge
or
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picture.
Princess
Mary
Christmas
Gift
In
October
1914
the
17
year-old
Princess
Mary
launched
an
appeal
for
Christmas
gifts
for
the
troops.
All
soldiers
were
sent
a
box.
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Princess
Mary
Gift
to
the
troops
All
soldiers
were
sent
a
box,
some
with
cigarettes
and
tobacco,
some
with
sweets.
Back
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exhibition
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Princess
Mary
gifts
for
the
troops
All
soldiers
were
sent
a
box,
some
with
cigarettes
and
tobacco,
some
with
sweets.
This
example
still
has
100
year-old
cigarettes.
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of
exhibition
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US
Mine
Force
The
U.S.
Navy
published
several
books
about
their
work
on
the
Northern
Barrage
in
Scotland,
assembling
mines
and
laying
them
between
Norway
and
Orkney.
Despite
its
formal
title,
“The
Northern
Barrage,
Mine
Force,
United
States
Atlantic
Fleet,
the
North
Sea,
1918”
this
book
is
a
popular
account,
with
cartoons,
photographs
and
songs.
The
books
have
been
reprinted
and
are
available
on
the
Internet.
Loan
from
private
collection
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Greetings
cards
Distinctive
cards
were
sent
back
home
by
soldiers.
The
Christmas
Greetings
card
on
the
left
was
sent
to
a
relative
in
Invergordon
by
Danny
Young
who
lived
and
worked
on
his
grandfather’s
farm
at
Craighead
above
Rosemarkie.
Other
cards
were
embroidered
like
the
one
on
the
right.
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enlarge
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picture.
Bronze
medals
which
became
known
as
“Dead
Man’s
Pennies”
were
issued
to
all
families
of
personnel
killed
during
the
war.
On
loan
from
a
private
collection
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Ladies
War
Work
Parties
were
formed
in
Avoch
and
Fortrose.
They
knitted
hundreds
of
pairs
of
socks
-
but
were
told
to
avoid
red
yarn
because
if
the
foot
rubbed,
the
yarn
might
poison
the
foot!
Socks
knitted
by
Su
Wompra
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or
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picture.
In
“My
Friends
the
Miss
Boyds”
Jane
Duncan
draws
heavily
on
her
childhood
experience
of
family
life
on
a
Black
Isle
croft.
The
novel,
set
in
1918,
is
vivid,
funny
and
touched
with
tragedy,
evoking
the
world
she
knew
as
a
child
living
in
a
closely
woven
community
in
the
then
remote
Black
Isle.
Loan
from
private
collection
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or
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picture.
Donald
Patience
served
in
the
Royal
Naval
Reserve.
His
ditty
box
was
donated
to
Groam
House
Museum
by
his
son
Jim
Patience.
Groam
House
Museum
Collection
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Donald
Patience
served
in
the
Royal
Naval
Reserve.
His
ditty
box
was
donated
to
Groam
House
Museum
by
his
son
Jim
Patience.
The
ditty
box
contained
a
notebook
(left)
describing
his
travels,
including
to
Malta
Groam
House
Museum
Collection
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or
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picture.
Donald
Patience
served
in
the
Royal
Naval
Reserve.
His
ditty
box
(left)
was
donated
to
Groam
House
Museum
by
his
son
Jim
Patience.
Groam
House
Museum
Collection
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picture.
George
Macintyre
Jack
from
Avoch
(Avoch
Heritage
Project)
Rev.
Brechin
who
was
the
Superintendent
of
the
Scottish
Church’s
Huts
on
France
(Ross-Shire
Journal)
Serving
in
the
War
Effort
Hundreds
of
men
from
the
area,
from
the
Rector
of
Fortrose
Academy
to
labourers
and
clergy,
served
in
the
war
on
all
fronts.
In
Avoch
many
fishermen
were
members
of
the
Royal
Naval
Reserve
which
was
called
up
soon
after
the
war
was
declared.
This
resulted
in
less
fishing.
The
local
Seaforth
Volunteer
Force
was
mobilised
immediately
and
was
sent
to
France.
Many
were
killed
and
wounded
in
the
battles
of
Neuve
Chapelle
and
Aubers
Ridge.
Other
local
men
joined
a
variety
of
regiments.
Links
were
still
strong
with
men
and
families
who
had
emigrated.
Many
joined
foreign
regiments
or
returned
to
fight
with
local
ones.
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War
memorial
in
Avoch
Parish
Church
with
pictures
of
men
from
the
parish
who
were
killed
in
the
war.
Conscription
and
War
Memorials
By
1916
it
was
clear
that
there
were
not
enough
volunteers,
and
conscription
was
introduced.
Some
professions
were
exempt,
but
the
rules
kept
changing
during
the
war,
The
newspapers
have
accounts
of
tribunals
where
men
appealed
their
call-up.
At
least
three
Avoch
fishermen
did
so
as
conscientious
objectors.
Almost
a
hundred
men
from
our
area
were
killed
and
commemorated
on
local
war
memorials.
Countless
others
were
wounded
and
returned
home
to
try
and
rebuild
their
lives.
The
exhibition
also
features
a
few
stories
about
some
of
these
men.
Binders
at
Groam
House
and
at
Fortrose
Library
provide
information
gathered
so
far
on
those
who
served.
We
hope
people
will
help
to
update
this
information.
Back
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Ross-Shire
Journal
5
July
1918
Ross-Shire
Journal
20
September
1918
Women
during
the
war
Women
were
involved
in
the
war
effort
in
a
number
of
ways.
A
few
served
as
nurses
abroad.
At
least
30
women
from
Avoch
went
to
Nottingham
to
work
at
Boots
the
Chemist
and
others
went
south
to
work
in
munitions
factories.
At
home,
some
women
took
up
traditional
male
tasks
such
as
postal
delivery.
Despite
the
crisis
of
labour
for
farming,
there
is
no
evidence
of
Women’s
Land
Army
postings,
although
there
were
meetings
and
courses
to
try
and
encourage
more
women
to
help
with
farming.
Back
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exhibition
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enlarge
or
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Avoch
Munitioneers
-
Avoch
Heritage
Project
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Impact
of
the
war
The
loss
of
young
men
is
clearly
shown
on
the
war
memorials
of
which
there
are
a
number
in
our
community.
Many
others
returned
injured
or
maimed
and
were
unable
to
take
up
their
previous
jobs.
Even
for
those
who
were
fit,
jobs
were
difficult
to
find.
Many
Avoch
fishermen
joined
the
mercantile
service
or
found
work
abroad,
including
Canada.
War
memorial
at
Fortrose
(large
photo),
Avoch
(below)
and
Rosemarkie
(lowest)
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Groam
House
Museum
Collection
Military
buildings
Military
buildings
in
the
area
were
sold
off,
and
some
were
purchased
locally.
The
Signal
Station
at
Castleton
was
considered
for
a
local
cottage
hospital,
but
eventually
was
converted
to
sheds
in
Avoch.
A
hutment
from
Cromarty
was
sent
to
Killen,
ad
a
urinal
from
the
camp
was
sited
at
the
burn
near
Henrietta.
An
army
hut
was
erected
in
Avoch
for
ex-servicemen.
In
Fortrose,
the
town
council
donated
a
site
for
the
“comrades
hut”.
It
is
not
known
where
the
photograph
to
the
left
from
the
Groam
House
collection
was
taken,
or
who
the
soldiers
pictured
here
were.
The
hutment
in
the
background
is
the
kind
which
would
have
been
sold
off
after
the
war.
War
trophies
were
offered
to
Fortrose,
including
a
German
gun.
There
was
clearly
no
interest
in
havng
it
on
display.
First,
it
was
refused
a
place
in
the
Cathedral
enclosure.
By
1921
the
gun
was
lying
on
the
beach
below
the
Fortrose
Episcopal
Church,
with
a
proposal
to
move
it
to
the
harbour.
It
is
not
known
what
happened
to
it.
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Both
photos,
Groam
House
Museum
Collection
Life
after
the
war
Life
was
never
the
same
after
the
war,
but
gradually
some
aspects
of
life
returned
to
normal.
The
road
which
had
been
badly
damaged
by
troops
and
traction
engines
going
to
Cromarty
was
finally
repaired.
The
bus
service
between
Cromarty
and
the
Kessock
Ferry
resumed
in
1919.
Street
lighting
and
the
lighthouse
were
illuminated
again.
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glass
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enlarge
or
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picture
at
left.
William
MacLeman
Before
the
war,
William
MacLeman,
a
reservist,
served
with
the
Rhodesian
Mounted
Police.
On
the
outbreak
of
war
he
returned
home
to
Rosemarkie
and
reported
for
duty
at
Fort
George.
Lieutenant
MacLeman
was
one
of
the
so-called
“Old
Contemptibles”,
the
name
adopted
by
members
of
the
British
Expeditionary
Force
who
were
fighting
in
France
at
the
start
of
the
war
and
were
described
by
the
Kaiser
as
a
“Comtemptible
little
Army”.
In
due
course
he
was
drafted
to
Mesopotamia.
He
gained
his
commission
for
gallantry
and
leadership
in
action,
and
was
severely
wounded
in
the
face
and
legs.
After
the
war
he
emigrated
to
Uganda.
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Copyright
Betty
Forester
Robert
Mustard
Ross
Robert
Mustard
Ross
from
Rosemarkie,
a
Lovat
Scout,
later
attached
to
the
Cameron
Highlanders,
saw
action
at
Gallipoli,
Suvla
Bay
and
Egypt
as
a
stretcher
bearer.
He
was
badly
wounded
by
strafing
from
diving
aircraft
at
Gallipoli,
losing
the
sight
in
one
eye
and
with
shrapnel
wounds
to
his
head
and
right
hand.
He
spent
many
months
in
hospital
and
experienced
an
early
x-ray
which
“fizzed
and
sparked”.
After
his
discharge,
he
and
his
wife
together
tried
to
find
work
in
service,
but
it
was
difficult
for
a
disabled
person.
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Roll
of
Honour
published
1915
The
Davidson
Brothers
Mr
William
Davidson,
a
painter
from
Fortrose,
had
six
sons
serving
in
the
war.
Two
served
in
the
Seaforths,
but
the
others
were
in
different
regiments
including
South
African
and
Australian
regiments.
Willam,
who
came
over
from
North
America
to
join
the
Scottish
Rifles,
went
missing,
presumed
dead,
in
May
1918
in
Flanders.
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mouse
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magnifying
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picture.
Lewis
and
Hugh
Macintosh
Lewis
Macintosh
and
his
brother
Hugh
were
both
members
of
the
Royal
Naval
Reserve.
Lewis
was
one
of
nine
R.N.R
men
from
Avoch
who
took
part
in
the
defence
of
Antwerp
in
1914.
He
was
captured
and
spent
the
war
in
a
prisoner
of
war
camp
at
Groningen
in
Holland,
returning
in
November
1918.
Hugh
died
when
his
ship
H.M.S
Flint
was
torpedoed
in
the
English
Channel.
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exhibition
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around
Donald
MacLeman
Donald
MacLeman
served
on
H.M.S
Alert,
a
ship
whose
exploits
at
the
Dardanelles
won
“worldwide
admiration”.
Eight
months
after
he
was
reported
missing,
his
sister
received
a
postcard
from
him
saying
that
he
was
a
prisoner
of
war
in
Baghdad.
He
told
his
sister
that
he
was
quite
well
and
he
hoped
she
would
not
worry.
However,
he
died
while
still
a
prisoner.
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enlarge
or
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picture.
Avoch
Heritage
Project
Alexander
Leitch
Private
Alexander
Leitch
from
Avoch
enlisted
in
the
Motor
Transports
in
October
1915.
After
six
months
training
he
proceeded
to
France,
and
was
with
the
Motor
Transports
until
drafted
into
the
Royal
Warwickshire
Regiment.
He
then
served
for
over
two
years
in
France
and
Italy.
He
was
badly
wounded
in
the
left
arm
and
hand
and
had
his
forefinger
blown
off.
On
his
return
to
Avoch
he
was
unable
to
find
employment
in
his
trade
due
to
his
injuries,
and
set
up
a
taxi
business.
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Hugh
“Scotty”
Sutherland
In
March
1915
Hugh
Sutherland
succeeded
in
his
third
attempt
to
join
the
Army.
Within
months
he
was
serving
with
the
Regular
Seaforths
in
France
where
he
witnessed
some
severe
fighting.
In
October
1915
he
was
discharged
when
it
was
discovered
that
he
was
still
only
15.
At
home
he
soon
wearied
of
orderly
duties
at
Invergordon
and
joined
the
Navy.
After
training
he
was
drafted
into
a
motor
launch,
where
he
served
for
the
rest
of
the
war.
He
volunteered
for
dangerous
duty
during
the
naval
operations
at
Zeebrugge
on
May
1918
and
was
gassed
in
the
process.
This
won
him
a
Distinguished
Service
Medal,
for
gallantry.
He
published
a
book
about
his
experiences
in
the
war.
Alexander
Brook
Alexander
Brook,
a
Seaforth
Highlander
from
Fortrose,
was
stationed
near
Cambrai
when
the
Germans
commenced
their
“big
push”
on
the
21
March
1918.
Several
soldiers
were
taken
prisoner
and
were
made
to
work
for
the
enemy
digging
trenches,
often
exposed
to
the
British
fire.
He
escaped,
and
made
his
way
by
night
to
Genappe,
where
a
kind-hearted
Belgian
gave
him
some
civilian
clothing.
During
his
captivity,
no
parcels
or
letters
reached
him
and
rations
were
meagre
and
poor
quality.
He
was
better
off
than
many
as
he
acted
as
an
interpreter.
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Robert
Jack
Sergeant
Robert
Jack
was
a
joiner
in
Avoch
and
a
member
of
the
Territorial
Force.
He
was
sent
to
France
with
the
Seaforth
Highlanders
and
was
wounded
at
Aubers
Ridge,
one
of
the
deadliest
battles
for
the
Seaforths.
In
a
letter
to
his
mother,
published
in
the
Ross-Shire
Journal,
he
describes
the
horror
of
the
day,
his
multiple
injuries
and
his
rescue
by
Indian
soldiers.
He
never
recovered
sufficiently
to
rejoin
the
unit
permanently.
Letters
of
this
sort
were
not
published
in
the
later
years
of
the
war.
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William
Smith
Sergeant
William
Smith,
a
meal
miller
from
Avoch
serving
with
the
Seaforth
Highlanders,
wrote
home
between
the
battles
of
Neuve
Chapelle
and
Aubers
Rudge,
describing
a
rosy
existence
in
the
trenches
and
the
life
of
luxury
which
the
Germans
had
enjoyed
before
the
attack.
This
was
not
the
general
experience
of
trench
warfare
for
our
troops.
He
was
with
two
other
Avoch
boys,
his
brother
Quartermaster
John
Smith
and
Bob
Jack
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Avoch
Heritage
Project
-
the
meal
mill
Ross-shire
Journal
25
May
1915
Courtesy
Billy
and
Alastair
Hossack
John
Hossack
John
and
George
Hossack
from
Rosemarkie
served
in
the
Seaforths.
John
was
killed
in
November
1917
at
Cambrai
and
his
body
was
never
found.
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A
year
has
passed
yet
in
our
hearts
his
memory
lingers
sweet,
A
memory
that
time
will
ne’er
efface.
With
tear
bedimmed
eyes
we
think
how
once
his
loving
smile
we’d
greet,
But
now
alas
no
more
we’ll
see
his
face.
The
foe’s
desire
for
greed
and
power
he
did
his
best
to
foil,
And
in
the
doing
he
gave
his
noble
life.
And
now
he
sleeps,
his
last
long
sleep
beneath
a
foreign
soil,
Unheeding
all
the
turmoil
and
the
strife.
Faithful
to
duty
he
did
his
little
part,
A
humble
member
of
the
Seaforth
Clan.
And
we
at
home
who
mourn
his
loss,
within
our
heart
o’
hearts,
Are
proud
to
know
he
proved
himself
a
man.
With
tear
dimmed
eyes
we
look
across
the
sea,
And
picture
in
our
thoughts
a
soldier’s
grave.
Where
you
dear
son
now
lie
so
peacefully,
Beneath
he
soil
you
gave
your
life
to
save.
A
year
ago
you
made
the
sacrifice,
and
we
To
fate’s
decree
now
sadly
humbly
bow.
Our
eyes
into
the
future
cannot
see,
But
that
which
God
ordains
is
right
we
know.
Poem
written
by
John’s
mother
on
the
anniversary
of
his
death.
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“The
4th
Battalion
Seaforth
Highlanders
in
action
at
Neuve
Chapelle.
1915”
by
Joseph
Gray
(1890-1962).
Many
local
soldiers
were
killed
or
wounded
at
Neuve
Chapelle
in
March
1915
and
then
at
nearby
Aubers
Ridge
in
May.
Research
behind
the
exhibition
The
Rosemarkie,
Fortrose
and
Avoch
in
World
War
I
exhibition
was
researched
and
written
by
Hilary
Aitchison,
Ivan
Brazier,
Freda
Bassindale,
Alasdair
Cameron,
Barbara
Cohen,
Philip
Cohen,
Andy
Golder,
Don
Holding,
Sandy
Jack,
Richard
Jenner,
Alan
Kinghorn,
Jim
Leslie,
Naomi
Lloyd,
Sandy
MacGregor,
Catherine
MacKay,
Magdalene
Maclean,
Peter
Moran,
Lewis
Patience,
Mary
Smyth,
Margaret
Stewart,
Evelyn
Topp,
Janet
Witheridge
and
Robin
Witheridge,
led
by
Susan
Kruse
of
ARCH.
Funding
was
provided
by
the
Heritage
Lottery
Fund,
The
Highland
Council
and
Groam
House
Museum.
We
would
also
like
to
thank
the
Highland
Archive
Centre
and
the
Highlanders
Museum
at
Fort
George
for
access
to
their
archives;
Alan
Kilpatrick
of
Historic
Environment
Scotland;
Paul
Monk
of
Cromarty
Courthouse
Museum;
the
Petty
and
Ardersier
Community
Heritage
Group
and
Inverness
Local
History
Forum
who
hosted
visits;
Martin
Briscoe
for
sending
a
variety
of
pictures
and
articles;
Doug
Maclean
for
looking
out
pictures
and
preparing
this
online
exhibition;
and
Betty
Forester,
Jim
Patience,
Billy
and
Alastair
Hossack
and
Seona
Fraser
for
sharing
photos
and
memories.
Special
thanks
also
to
Alan
Kinghorn
and
Janet
and
Robin
Witheridge
for
countless
hours
in
archives
and
searching
websites.
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