Following the local remembrance service at Stratherrick War Memorial on 9th November, there was a community gathering at Stratherrick Hall to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the end of WW2 in 1945. A small exhibition was on display at the hall, of the involvement of service personnel either born or living in the Stratherrick and Foyers district, at the time of the start of the war in September 1939. Such was the interest in the exhibition, the decision was taken to include it on the Heritage website, as relations of personal out with the district would also be able to see it.
The exhibition listed all the known to date service personal from the Stratherrick and Foyers area, that were involved in the conflict. As far as I am aware there has been no previous lists compiled, even though a newspaper article appeared spring 1946 about a leaflet from the Scottish War Memorial Advisory Council on Rolls of Honour. The leaflet urges that the Rolls of Honour should be prepared as soon as possible, as delay may lead to omissions and inaccuracies.
Unfortunately, this does not seem to have been done locally, even though there was a welcome home dinner for the Stratherrick boys at Whitebridge Hotel in 28th February 1946 and I can only assume a similar function happened in Foyers for their boys. The list I have displayed below is not complete and if anyone knows of an omission, please get in touch so the name can be included.
This also applies to any photographs of service personal in uniform, so they can be added to the relevant gallery. If you know the identity of someone listed as unknown, please also contact so their name can be included in picture.
Locally leading up to WW2 there was a strong Territorial Army unit in Foyers, the 4th (Territorial) Battalion Cameron Highlanders. At the start of the war they would have been automatically call up to the Cameron Highlanders unless they were in a reserved occupation.
The Cameron Highlanders along with Seaforth Highlanders, Gordon Highlanders, and the Black Watch formed part of the 51st Highland Division that fought a rearguard action at St.Valéry-en-Cauxs. They suffered great losses and with no chance of evacuation or support, with the men exhausted and virtually out of ammunition they surrendered on 12 June 1940. Six local men lost their lives St Valery and up to 10,00 men of the 51st were taken prisoner, including a lot of local men.
Roll of Honour
Service Personal Pictures
The Fallen
The Fallen
The Fallen
Service Personal From Our Area
Photograph courtesy of Ala Macgruer
Service Personal From Our Area
Photograph courtesy of John Murray
Service Personal From Our Area
Photograph courtesy of Pat Macpherson
Service Personal From Our Area
Photograph courtesy of Pat Macpherson
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Service Personal From Our Area
Photograph courtesy of Angus Macaskle
Service Personal From Our Area
51st Division inaugural Reunion at Perth 1963
Photograph courtesy of David MacLennan
Ian Bethune War Record
Ian Bethune was one of the soldiers taken prisoner at St Valery. This display, relates via documentation, Ian’s war years.
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elaie Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Photograph courtesy of Elane Henderson
Thanks to Robin Morley for his help with his compiled Territorial Army lists and Police Occurrence books.
Copyright Alister Chisholm 2025
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