In 1911, the MacFarlane family were living at 4 George Crescent, Perth: Father, James (Cycle Agent) (59); Mother, Helen (58); Daughter, Margaret (Shop Assistant) (32); Son, John (Motor Agent) (30); Son, Robert S. (Assurance Agent) (26); Daughter, Isabella M. (Dress Maker) (24); Son, Willam R. (Dental Mechanic) (21); and Daughter, Elizabeth J. (Milliner) (19). Also living at this address was Jane Smeaton (Servant) (30).

William MacFarlane had only been in France for about a month when he took part in actions at High Wood in August 1916, part of the Battle of the Somme. With eleven others, he was in a dug-out which was wrecked by a shell, and was seriously injured. He was returned to Scotland and admitted to Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, along with six others. He died there of his wounds on 18th August 1916 aged 27. 

William MacFarlane’s body was returned to Perth and his funeral service, where there was a large representative attendance of the general public, was conducted by the Rev. R. Landreth, the minister of St John’s West Church. Short services were also held at the house and the graveside and on the way to the graveside the Band of the 2nd Black Watch played the Dead March from “Saul”. The Black Watch also provided a firing party at the graveside.

Perthshire Constitutional, 1916 “Private William MacFarlane, Black Watch, son of Bailie MacFarlane, Perth, killed. Along with eleven others he was in a dug-out when a shell exploded, and he sustained a cut on the top of the head and the right cheek. He joined in November 1915, and had been at the Front for about a month.”

William MacFarlane is also commemorated on the Jeanfield District War Memorial, Perth.