Surname:	MacBean
Forename(s):	Alexander
Rank:	Private
Service number:	1597
Regiment:	Cameron Highlanders 4th Bn.
Date of death:	6 October 1915 Aged 18
Place of death:	Bethune from wounds received at Loos
Buried Commemorated	Bethune Town Cemetery, France IV E 92 St Andrew’s United Free Church Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church

Background

Son of Duncan and Jane MacBean (nee Macdonald), of Killiehuntly, Kingussie, Inverness-shire. He was born at Milehead Cottage, Alvie 15 October 1896. He had 2 brothers and 4 sisters born between 1888 and 1901.

In the 1901 Census he was living at Killiehuntly, Alvie where his father is described as a farmer.

1911 Census Alick is aged 14 and still at school . He is living at Killiehuntly Farm with his parents and 2 brothers and 7 sisters and where his father is the farmer. Alick attended Kingussie Higher Grade School and is thought to have subsequently to been employed in the British Linen Bank.

War Record

Alick joined the Cameron Highlanders in February 1914 and travelled to France on 19 February 1915. He was wounded during the Battle of Loos 26 September 1915.
Evacuated to Bethune where he died from wounds 6 October 1915. His eldest brother, Duncan, was a lieutenant was reported to be with Locheil’s Camerons at the front at the time of Alexander’s death.

The family choose the gravestone Gaelic inscription

GUS AM BRIS AN LA

He is also remembered on the Insh War Memorial and the Ring of Remembrance, Notre Dame de Lorette.