In 1901, the Rae family were living at Kingswood House, Little Dunkeld, Perthshire: Head, William Alexander (Estate Factor), b. c1857, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire; Son, William Alexander, b. c1885, Durris, Kincardineshire; and Son, Henry Hamilton, b. c1891, Little Dunkeld. Also living at this address was Elizabeth McLachan (Housemaid, Domestic), b. c1883, Caputh, Perthshire.

William Rae enlisted with the Black Watch, and first entered a Theatre of War, in France, on 29th June 1917.

Third Battle of Ypres - Passchendaele

“On the 31st July 1917, behind the newly mastered creeping barrage, the allied troops climbed out of their trenches along the whole front line, from Boesinghe in the North to Le Gheer in the South, and advanced towards the German forces."

"The enemy’s first line was quickly taken and the British pushed forward about one mile before meeting much stiffer resistance. Later in the afternoon the advance was stopped and pushed back in places by carefully co-ordinated counter attack by specially trained troops."

"However a worse enemy was afoot, the worst weather for 75 years, which turned the whole battlefield into a quagmire, the whole attack was stalled until the 10th August."

“It is estimated that Third Ypres cost the Allies about 300,000 casualties (35 men for every metre gained - many of them were lost to the mud of Flanders and have no known grave, only to be commemorated on the Menin Gate and Tyne Cot Memorials to the missing) and the Germans a further 260,000 casualties.”

Blairgowrie Advertiser, 11th August 1917

“ROLL OF HONOUR"

“Killed in action on 31st July, W. A. Rae, Second Lieutenant, Black Watch, elder son of W. A. Rae of Dougalsfield, Murthly.”

At the time of his death William Rae was 32 years old. William Rae is also commemorated on the Dunkeld and Little Dunkeld Parish War Memorial; the Murthly Parish War Memorial; and the Royal School of Dunkeld War Memorial.