Beattie W M 2nd Lt 2nd Highland Light Infamtry
BEATTIE, WILLIAM MARSHALL, 2nd Lieut., 9th (Territorial) Battn. The High-land Light Infantry, yst. s. of the late Jonathan Beattie, Building Contractor, by his wife, Isabella (Glendale Road, Wooler, co. Northumberland), dau. of the late George Arkle, of Seahouses; b. Wooler aforesaid, 30 May, 1895; educ. Duke’s School, Alnwick, co. Northumberland; was on the staff of The British Linen Bank, Ayr; joined the Highland Light Infantry 26 Jan. 1915; after a period of thorough training at Dunfermline, Glasgow, Stirling and in Essex, was gazetted 2nd Lieut. to his own regiment 1 March, 1917; served with the Expeditionary Force in France from the following Oct., and was killed in action at Neuve Eglise 10 April, 1918. Buried where he fell. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was indeed a splendid fellow, and such a soldier as we ean ill afford to lose at this critical time. The way in which he led and fought his platoon was magnificent. He always enjoyed the confidence of all ranks under his com-mand, a quality which stood the test when the real trial came last week. His comrades, officers and men all mourn his loss,” and another officer: “His death came as a great blow to us all. He was killed while gallantly reconstructing the line.. He was loved and admired by his men, and his qualities were esteemed by us all. In his death we feel that we have lost a true friend and a very gallant gentleman. Yours is the satisfaction of knowing that he considered it sweet and pleasant to have died for his country.” He was a keen lover of sports, and took a great interest in the sports of the regiment; unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5