Ian Pilkington was born at Corrielea Farm, Auchtergaven, Perthshire on 19th December 1894.

In 1911, he was 16 years old and living at Milton of Kincraigie Farm in the parish of Little Dunkeld. The household consisted of his father George H. (51), a Farmer, born in England; his mother Mary A. McNaughton (52) born in Kinnoul; his sister Janet K. (21) born in Kinnoul: his brother Robert McN (19), a Clerk in a Factors office, born in Auchtergaven; his sister Alice D. (17), born in Auchtergaven; his brother Herbert B., a scholar born in Auchtergaven; and his brother Edward Percy (9) a scholar born in Auchtergaven. Also living at this address were: Dorothy Spiers (14) a boarder, who was also a scholar, born in Sandyford, Glasgow; Annie Campbell (23), a servant born in Kilmore, and Elizabeth Brown (25) a servant born in Blackford, Perthshire.

Ian Pilkington enlisted in the 2/6th Reserve Battalion, Black Watch, between 21st and 26th January 1915. In January 1915 the 2/6th Battalion were in Hawick and attached to the 2nd Gordon Highlanders Brigade, 2nd Highland Division.

In April 1915 they moved to Kinghorn and then to Bridge of Earn in mid 1915. In October 1915 the Battalion transferred to 192nd Brigade, 64th Division and moved to Blairgowrie. They then moved to Norwich in March 1916.

Ian Pilkington would probably have been admitted to hospital when the Battalion were still at Blairgowrie. His death certificate states that he was a Farmer (Private 2/6th Battalion R.H.B.W.) and that he died of Enteric Fever [Typhoid] and Broncho-pneumonia on 4th March 1916, in King’s Cross Hospital, Dundee. He was 20 years old and unmarried.

Ian Pilkington is also commemorated on the Dunkeld and Little Dunkeld Parish War Memorial; and the Strathtay and Grandtully War Memorial.