Angus Mackay, Royal Fusiliers

The Battalion was raised in London by E Cunliffe-Owen on 20 November 1914. It moved to Clipstone Camp in June 1915, as part of 99th Brigade, 33rd Division and was taken over by the War Office on 1 July 1915. It moved to Kandahar Barracks, Tidworth, in August 1915 and landed at Boulogne on 17 November 1915. The Battalion then moved with 99th Brigade to 2nd Division on 25 November 1915 and then onto 5th Brigade, 2nd Division on 13 December 1915. 2nd Lieutenant Mackay first arrived in France on 14 July 1916. On 25 August 1916 the Chronicle reported that he was in Hospital at Le Harve suffering from shell shock.The Battalion War Diary for May 1918 records the following:-

"6th /7th May enemy attempted to raid one of the posts held by the battalion. He was prevented from reaching our line and severely punished by Lewis gun and rifle fire.

7th May HENDECOURT. Battalion relieved in the line by 2nd Battalion H.L.I. and moved back into Brigade Reserve in positions in and around HENDECOURT.

8th May Battalion in Bde Reserve. Lewis gun training and work on trenches.

9th May Same as above.

10th May. SAULTY. 5th Infantry Brigade relieved by 5th/6th battalion Royal Scots and moved back into billets at SAULTY."

The War Diary Casualty Lists records - "2/Lieut A. Mackay. wounded on the 08/05/1918 and died of wounds on the 10/05/1918".

Son of Mr. Simon B and Mrs Jessie MacKay, of Celtic House, 62 Market Street, Holyhead. His parents arrived at Holyhead shortly after their marriage in 1890 and in 1891 were resident at 3 Mountain View, Holyhead, when his father was employed as a Tailor and his mother was a School Mistress. In 1901 the family lived at 77 Market Street, Holyhead. His father came from Clyne, Sutherland, Scotland. His mother originated from Olrig, Caethnest, Scotland. At this time his father owned a tailoring business and they probably lived above the shop. His siblings included Alexander William (7), Sheila Elizabeth (2) and Dugald Llewelyn (8 months). In 1911 they lived at the same address. There was an additional sibling, Robert Ian Mackay (8). (Dugald had died in 1905, aged 5). Another brother, Ronald Sinclair R Mackay had died within a year of his birth in 1900. The Mackay Tailor's Shop moved later to Celtic House, 62 Market Street, Holyhead and was still in business as Mackay and Sons into the 1970's.

His older brother, Alexander William Mackay, had died previously on 28 September 1917.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France. Grave location I.B.7.

He and his brother are also remembered on the Roll of Honour and Memorial Plaque at the English Presbyterian Chapel, Newry Street, Holyhead. Angus Mackay is also listed as a previous pupil on the Memorial Plaque at the Old Beaumaris Grammar School.

I am grateful to Andy Pugh of the Great War Forum for the extract from the Battalion War Diary.