In 1901, the Don family were living at 315 High Street, Perth: Father, John (Carter), b. c1862, Crieff, Perthshire; Mother, Maggie, b. c1866, Crieff; Son, John, b. c1886, Fowlis Wester, Perthshire; Son, William, b. c1888, Perth; and Son, James, b. 1891, Perth.

The 8th (Service) Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders was formed at Fort George in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Second New Army, K2. The battalion joined 44 Brigade of the 15th (Scottish) Division at Aldershot in September 1914, together with the 9th Black Watch, 10th Gordons, and the 7th Camerons.

The 8th Seaforths left for France in July 1915, landed at Boulogne, and concentrated at St Omer. The battalion took over a sector in the line at Loos on 6th August 1915.

The Battle of Loos commenced on 25th September 1915 - the first major battle for the 8th Seaforths, which was preceded by the first British gas attack of the war. The 8th Seaforths, in the right hand brigade, had a hard fight through Loos village, and after house-to-house fighting, the battalion broke through to attack Hill 70 beyond.

The 44th Brigade took Hill 70, but the casualties were so high that they had only a tenuous hold on its objective. When the 8th Seaforths were relieved that night, the battalion had lost 718 out of the 776 who had started the day.

Whilst there is no definitive record of how and when James Don lost his life, he is known to have been one of the casualties of this action. He was 25 years old.

People’s Journal, 12th October 1915:

“A BRAVE SOLDIER"

“Official intimation was on Wednesday received by Mr and Mrs John Don, 13 Union Lane, Perth, that their third son, Private Jas. Don, 8th Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in action in France on 25th September. Private Don, who was 25 years of age, was a native of Perth, and was well known. He enlisted in November of last year, and went to France in August.

Prior to enlistment he was employed with Mr D. Robertson, bookseller and newsagent, 95 High Street, Perth. His youngest brother and father are both in France, and are serving with the 6th Black Watch and Army Service Corps respectively.

Deceased was a drummer in the Perth and District Pipe Band." 

James Don is also commemorated on the Perth St. Ninian’s Cathedral War Memorial; and the Perth St. Ninian’s Episcopal School War Memorial.