Late grocer’s son killed in battle

A 21-year-old native of Balfron was reported killed in fighting on November 30, 1917. Gregor Macgregor was the son of the late Mr John Macgregor, formerly a grocer in Balfron. Word of his death was conveyed to his mother who was at the time living in Bangor Road, Leith. Gregor, 21, was serving with the Royal Field Artillery. Before joining up he worked as a chemist with David Mason, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.

Among men home on leave in Kippen 100 years ago were Dan and Jack Christie, Bob Davidson and Walter Buchanan. Villagers learned with regret that a soldier from the area Tom Atkinson had been wounded for the fifth time.

Balfron villagers also welcomed home a number of men from the front line. Among them was Pte William Walker who, said the Observer, had experienced more fighting than the majority.

On furlough with family and friends in Doune were sailor J Mills, Quartermaster Sergeant R McLeod and Privates Dryburgh, John McAlpine, R McLeod, James Gordon and D McKenzie of the Canadian Camerons who was from Drumvaich.

Mrs James Smith, labourer, 44 St Mary’s Wynd, received official word her son James, a private in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, was killed in action in Palestine. He worked as a labourer before enlisting in the Regular Army in 1912 and had been involved in the war from the start. Two years earlier, Pte Smith was so seriously wounded that he was discharged from further service. However, after recovering from his wounds, Pte Smith volunteered for further service and was accepted. He had returned to the war’s frontline 18 months earlier.