Archibald MacDonald, Cameron Highlanders.

[motherof3]

My Grandfather Archibald MacDonald was in the 3rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. I have his Medals Card and it says he enlisted in 1914, went to France to serve in 1915 and was discharged in 1916 with wounds, unfit for war service. My research says that the 3rd Battalion was a reserve battalion and they stayed in Scotland and and in 1917 moved to Ireland and did not serve at the Front. I am confused how then he served in France. He was born on the Isle of Barra, Invernesshire, Scotland in 1895 and would have been 19 when he enlisted. Is anyone able to offer an explanation for my confusion? Thank you in advance.

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

Could you tell us his regimental number from his medals card

[t mo]

and my welcome to rootschat as well
although the 3rd was a reserve bat they also were a training bat so supplied troops to other bat who were under strength so possibly why he is listed as of the 3rd and not the bat he was transferred to for some reason .
regards
trevor

[motherof3]

Thank you CaroleW and TMO for responding to my query and for the warm welcome
Carole, his service number was S/10317.
TMO, I also wondered if he was sent from the 3rd to France to join another battalion but I wonder why on his medal card it says 3rd battalion on not the one that he was discharged from.

[Rosinish]

Can you tell me who Archibald's parents are please.

Coincidently...........my grand uncle from South Uist was in 3rd Camerons same time 

Anne Marie.

ADDED............he was in Ypres (France) 1914

[LJReb123]

Hello,

a few points jump out at me..

The Medal Index Card indicates he served in a theatre of war. Indeed the one referred to as Archibald MacDonald would support this. Again, it has a discharge date due to illness/injury.

My understanding is that injured men were returned to reserve battalions pending treatment/discharge.

Interestingly a medal index card and 1915 star/War and Victory medal rolls entries exist for an Archibald McDonald, Cameron Highlanders, with the same service number. Theatre of war is confirmed as France on 10/5/15.

Also interestingly, he is also recorded as having service with the 5th Battalion CH.

Hope this helps,

David

Quick check with 1914-1918 net

5th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Inverness in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division.
Moved to Aldershot and in February 1915 went to Bordon.
Landed at Boulogne on 10 May 1915.

http://www.1914-1918.net/9div.htm

[Rosinish]

My grand uncle's attestation papers were for Special Reservists.................

Like on a football team a reserve is there to take part if needed so looks as though they were on the front line as reserves originally 

On saying that........my relative was also discharged due to injury but his battalion no. is the same on each document 

There were 2 Archy MacDonalds from Barra so I wonder if you have the correct document............ just a thought 

Anne Marie.

[Skoosh]

Folks, I know this is way past your date but there's an interesting film of the Cameron Highlanders taken at Cameron Barracks, Inverness in the 1930's, Scottish Screen Archive, enter Cameron Highlanders in the search box, also the 4th Camerons training at Bedford in 1914.

http://ssa.nls.uk/

Skoosh.

[Rosinish]

Skoosh,

Nice video but reminds me of when I was a gymnast using parallel bars & other equipment............oh to be that fit now 

Anne Marie