Surname:	McPherson
Forename(s):	James Blackadder
Rank:	Private
Service number:	200140
Regiment:	4th Bn Cameron Highlanders latterly 5th Bn
Date of death:	21 March 1918 Aged 21
Place of death:	Somme
Buried Commemorated	Unknown Pozieres Memorial Panel 74

Background

James was born on 7 April 1896 at High Street, Kingussie son of Lachlan (Master Plasterer) and Maria MacPherson ( m.s. Macpherson). James birth record suggests that his parents married on 7 October 1892 in a suburb of Minnesota, USA. The 1901 Census show the family living in West Terrace, Kingussie and in the 1911 Census James continues to live in the family home at Forestville, West Terrace, Kingussie where he is described as a Plasterer’s Apprentice.

At the time of his death his parents lived at Forestville, Kingussie. James had one older and three younger sisters and three younger brothers all of whom were born in Kingussie.

War Record

James died on 21 March 1918 Killed in Action at the Somme on the opening day of the 1918 Spring Offensive. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial to the missing.

He is also remembered on the Kingussie War Memorial, Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church and St Andrew’s United Free Church Memorial now in Kingussie Parish Church.

His cousin of Lance Corporal John G McPherson also died and is remembered at the Arras Memorial.