Name
John Burns MacBrayne
13 Dec 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Highland Light Infantry
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2
IX. G. 15.
France
Headstone Inscription
THEY GAVE ALL THEY HAVE GAINED ALL
UK & Other Memorials
Aldenham School Memorial, Aldenham
Pre War
John Burns MacBrayne was born in Glasgow on 13 Dec 1896. His Father was Laurence MacBrayne, Lt. Cmdr. RNVR & Retired Ship owner, his Mother Mabel Ellen (nee Brougham)
At Aldenham School he was member of the Officers Training Corps and volunteered for service at the outbreak of War. He was gazetted Lieutenant 10 Sep 1914 in 17th Chamber of Commerce Battalion Highland Light Infantry.
Wartime Service
He served with the Battalion in B.E.F from 22 Nov 1915.
In November 1916 he was received head wound from shrapnel and returned to lead his men on the opening day of Battle of the Somme July 1916 again receiving a head wound but this time fatal.
His Colonel wrote: “He died in the most gallant manner, encouraging his men to hold on to a position we had just captured….. I must tell you how well he did his duty”.
He was buried three quarters of mile east of Authille and four miles north of Albert.
Biography
Additional Information
His father, Mr. L. MacBrayne of 8, Park Circus, Glasgow. ordered his headstone inscription: “THEY GAVE ALL THEY HAVE GAINED ALL"
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Tony James
