Ullapool WWI medal find sparks family hunt
A WESTER Ross man who came across a Tain-born soldier’s WWI medal at a market stall 20 years ago has launched a quest to find a family member to pass it on to.
It was after picking up Hector Graham Urquhart’s 1914-1919 Victory Medal with the inscription 4805 GNR.G.URQUHART. R.A. at a market stall in Ullapool that Donnie Taggart’s interest was piqued.
He said: “My research has been quite remarkable!”
READ MORE
Highland Archive Centre reflects on a busy year ahead
Vikings, shopping lists and wedding lintels in frame for Black Isle history group
Join 7000-plus readers and sign up for our twice weekly Ross-shire newsletter
Hector Graham Urquhart was a gunner with the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.
He was born in Tain on April 7, 1895 the son of Donald Urquhart and Christina Graham, who married in Rosskeen in January 1893.
He enlisted in Dingwall on March 2, 1912 at the age of 17, with the Territorial Force joining the Ross and Cromarty Highland Mountain Battery.
His attestation papers show he was an apprentice ironmonger, working for a John Urquhart, High Street, Dingwall.
And records show that Hector Graham Urquhart was one of the first soldiers to land in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
He disembarked from the ship H.M.S. Euryalus and took part in the famous landing at W. Beach, Cape Helles.
His section of the Ross and Cromarty Highland Mountain Brigade held advanced positions for over four months and were the last to leave the Gallipoli peninsula in August 1915.
He was taken to a hospital station in Gallipoli on August 10, 1915, then transferred to the Bombay Presidency Hospital in Egypt where he died of pneumonia on August 26, 1915.
He was just 20 years old.
Mr Taggart, who has a Long Service Clasp for 30 years’ service at H.M. Coastguard at Ullapool, discovered from his research into Hector Graham Urquhart that wartime service gained him the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and the1914-1919 British Victory Medal.
In a roll of honour, Capt. James Smith said: “I have known James since mobilsation and I can truly say he was one of the best of boys, and one who never forgot his folks at home.
“His death has cast a gloom over the whole column and we feel it all the ore after coming through all the dangers of shot and shell on Gallipoli, he should be taken from us when we were enjoying a well-earned rest.”
Mr Taggart meanwhile said: “I am hoping in telling this story we can find a living relative to hand over this WW1 Medal. He had two sisters, who were twins, Jean and Margaret Christie Urquhart.”
The family home was Rose Cottage in Tain’s Rose Street.
Donald Urquhart died on February 4, 1938, Christina and his wife passed on January 3, 1960 . Jean died at Rose Cottage in June 1976 and Margaret died in Inverness in January 1976.
Their family grave is at St. Duthus Old Burial Ground in Tain.
Hector Graham Urquhart was named after his maternal grandfather, Hector Graham (1824-1909), of Rosskeen.
Margaret Christie Urquhart was named after her maternal grandmother, Margaret Christie (1828-1863).
Their family grave is at Kilmuir Easter Churchyard.
Mr Taggart can be contacted by email at dontag1959@aol.com
While you’re here…
If you have enjoyed our content during 2024, why not take advantage of a time-limited offer to get online access to all of our Highland News and Media content for a full 12 months for just £10? That includes sister titles like the Inverness Courier, Northern Times and John o’ Groat Journal all accessed through a handy app and available as easy to read e-editions. To find out more and subscribe, use the promo code HECTORMACKENZIE here.