In 1901, the Maconochie family were living at 1, Needless Road, Perth: Father Edward b. 1877, Perth; Mother Elizabeth, b. 1871, Dunfermline; Son James, b. 1894, Perth; Daughter Grace, b. 1896, Perth; Daughter Maggie, b. 1898, Perth; and Daughter Elizabeth, b. 1900, Perth.

James Maconochie served with the 122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

The Hundred Days Offensive

This was the final period of the First World War , during which the Allies launched a series of offensives against the Central Powers on the Western Front from 8th August to 11th November 1918, beginning with the Battle of Amiens. The offensive essentially pushed the Germans out of France, forcing them to retreat beyond the Hindenberg Line, and was followed by an armistice.

The Battle of Amiens

This battle opened on 8th August 1918, with an attack by more than 10 Allied divisions - Australian, Canadian, British and French forces - with more than 500 tanks. The Allies achieved complete surprise and the attack broke through the German lines, sowing panic and confusion.

Somme

On 15th August Commander-in-Chief Foch demanded that Field Marshall Haig continue the Amiens offensive, but instead Haig prepared to launch a fresh offensive at Albert which opened on 21st August. The attack was a success and Albert was captured on 22nd August. The attack was then widened on the south, starting the Second Battle of Noyon.

While there is no definitive record of how and when James Maconochie lost his life, it would have been at some stage of this offensive. He was 24 years old.

Perthshire Constitutional, December 1918

“Gunner James Maconochie, R.G.A., son of Mr Edward Maconochie, Dunira, Craigie Road, Perth, killed in action. Gunner Maconochie was 24 years of age, and was a glazier with his father previous to joining up over two years ago. He had been two years in France.”