Surname:	MacPherson
Forename(s):	James Charles Brewster
Rank:	Private
Service number:	Spts/998
Regiment:	23rd Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Sportsman’s Btn.
Date of death:	5 March 1915 Aged 31
Place of death:	Souchez North
Buried Commemorated	Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension – I.A.5 Kingussie War Memorial

Background

James was born on 24 March 1884 at 16 Buckingham Terrace, Edinburgh son of Mr. Charles Julian Brewster Macpherson and Lucy Eleanor (m.s. Baxter) of Balavil, Kingussie. Although born in Edinburgh his birth was registered in the Parish of Alvie by his father.

The family home was at Balavil, Kingussie and by the 1911 Census James was living at Teasses House, Ceres, Fife where he was described as being 27 years and the Factor Estate Management.

James had one brother, Harry. James is remembered on both Kingussie and Newtonmore War Memorials, on a plaque at St Columba’s Church, Kingussie and at St Margaret’s Church, Leven.

War Record

James enlisted in London in 1914. He was allotted to the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (First Sportsman’s). After training in Hyde Park and Hornchurch, Essex he accompanied his regiment to France on 16 November 1915.  From the 1st to 13th March 1916 the 23rd Battalion held the line at Souchez North. During that period James was killed by a shell in the trenches on 5 March 1916.
James is buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension.

Dundee Evening Telegraph – Monday 25 December 1916


“MEMORIAL TO FIFE FACTOR, Who Served in the Ranks. A stained glass window was dedicated Kingussie Parish Church in memory of Pte. James Charles Brewster MacPherson of Balavil, Royal Fusiliers (Sportsman Battalion), who was killed in action in France on March 5. The second son Mr MacPherson, Badenoch, in civil life was factor for Teasses Estates, Fifeshire, but his country’s call found him ready, and declining a commission, he was content to serve in the ranks.”

Also remembered on the Newtonmore War Memorial, Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church, Alvie War Memorial, Kincraig and RIng of Remembernca Notre Dame-de-Lorette.