World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
Alexander Mackay
Forename(s):
Alexander
Surname:
Mackay
Initial(s):
A
Service Number:
2435
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force
Died:
26/04/1915
Aged:
34
Buried:
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper
Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.
MacKay was one of the first five men from Amble to be killed in action or missing, presumed dead. The others were Laurence Fealey; George William Geggie; Robert Stephen Mossman; & William Nairn.
A military report describes the background & ensuing hostilities of April 1915 in which they lost their lives:
'The Battalion received orders to support an attack to be made by the 4th & 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, on the village of St. Julien.
As soon as the Battalion moved off, it came under very heavy artillery fire, & on reaching the St. Julien - Wieltje road also came under heavy machine gun fire & rifle fire. The Battalion moved up into the firing line as reinforcements, the men advancing at the double in extended order. Advances were made by rushes, but no good fire positions could be obtained, as it was seen that a trench to our front was occupied by the Seaforth Highlanders. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties.'
(Source: 'In Memory of the Fallen: Amble & surrounding area'; Compiled by Jane Dargue, Jim Donnelly & Helen Lewis; 2014; p. 9)
Background:
Son of William McKay, of 16, Mansfield Place, Radcliffe, Northumberland, & the late Dorothy MacKay.
Husband of Mary A. MacKay, of 25, Church Street, Amble, Northumberland.
Local Memorial:
Amble War Memorial