CONCENTRATION OF CASUALTIES

Included in the personal effects of James Macaulay is a letter to his mother from the then Imperial War Graves Commission in reply to a query about the re-burial of her son. The concentration of casualties from smaller and isolated cemeteries to larger cemeteries, in land set aside by the respective governments, was a matter which gave many families cause for concern. It is almost certain that there are many such letters in the archives of the CWGC.

It is really Interesting to see an example of such correspondence and see the agreement between the commission and the French and Belgian Governments set out so clearly. It's also heartening to see that re-assurance was given to the families that: "The new grave has been registered in this office" and "The re-burial has been reverently and carefully carried out."

In 1901, the Macaulay family were living at 3 King’s Place, Perth: Father, Colin McCulloch (Physician and Surgeon), b. c1863, Perth; Mother, Rose, b. c1875, Perth; and Son, James, b. c1898, Perth. Also living at this address was Georgina Harris (General Servant, Domestic), b. c1883, Perth. James’ grandfather, also James, was a Chemist in Perth, who lived at 37 Princes Street, and in 1891 his father Colin was living as a lodger at 48 Bridge Street, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, his stated occupation being a Registered Physician and Surgeon.

James Macaulay initially enlisted in the Black Watch (S/11750). He was promoted to Lance-Corporal, and was subsequently selected for officer training. He was commissioned on the 28th August 1917 and after a period at 5th (Reserve) Battalion on the Isle of Sheppey, he was posted to the 13th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade, in France.

On the 24th October, the battalion moved to Neuville, four miles east of Solesme. On the 4th November, the battalion carried out a highly successful attack, taking a large number of enemy machine guns, trench-mortars and prisoners. The casualties were 8 officers and 131 other ranks. James Macaulay would have been one of these officers.

People’s Journal 16th November 1918

“Sec. Lieut. James Macaulay, the Rifle Brigade, killed in action in France on 4th Nov., was the elder son of the late Dr Macaulay, Perth, and was 20 years of age. Before enlisting he was a student in Sunderland, with the view to becoming a mining engineer.”

At the time of his death James Macaulay's parents were living at: “Heatherlie”, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool and James is commemorated on the family headstone in St Luke's churchyard, Crosby. James is also commemorated on the Perth North Church War Memorial.