Surname:	Cheyne
Forename(s):	John Thomas
Rank:	Private
Service number:	1120
Regiment:	4th Cameron Highlanders ‘C’ Company.
Date of death:	17 May 1915  Age 24
Place of death:	Festubert
Buried Commemorated	Unknown Le Touret Memorial – Panel 41 and Kingussie War Memorial

Background

John was born at Stronhill, Lhanbryde 10 August 1890 the son of Charles (Gamekeeper) and Elizabeth (m.s. Hood) Cheyne, Millbuis, Longmorn, Elgin. He was educated at Clachmacross and East End Schools.

John joined the Cameron Highlanders.  He was the Battalion Piper and prior to the war he was an enthusiastic member of Kingussie Town Pipe Band and the Cameron Territorial Pipe Band.

He worked as a gamekeeper at Pitmain Estate, Kingussie.

William Cheyne, John’s brother, (Pte 7th Seaforth Highlanders) was presumed killed in the Battle of Arras on 11 April 1917 and commemorated at the Arras Memorial. He was also believed to have been a gamekeeper.

John’s other brother, James Cheyne (Sergeant, Canadian Fort Garry Horse joined at Regina, Sask., Canada) died of wounds received in action on 06 April 1918 at No 12 Canadian Hospital, Rouen and is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

War Record

John travelled to France on 19 February 1915 and was killed in action at Festubert 17 May 1915. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, one of nine Kingussie Casualties.

(Glasgow Herald 29th June 1915) “Private John Cheyne, 4th Cameron Highlanders, was killed in action on May 17. He was a gamekeeper on Mr Fletcher of Rosshaugh’s estate of Pitmain, Kingussie. He belonged to Elgin district, and was 24 years of age.”

Also commemorated on the Morayshire Roll of Honour page 57 and the Ring of Remembrance, Notre Dame de Lorette.