Captain David McAndie was a member of the Tenth Battalion (Alberta Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War where he served with great distinction in all the theatres of action in Northern France and Belgium.
He was awarded the Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal as well as the Belgian “Croix de Guerre” and was also mentioned in dispatches several times, once being mentioned personally by Earl Haig after the Battle of Vimy Ridge in which the Canadian division earned great distinction.
David was killed in action on 15th August 1918.
THE STORY OF THE STONE
(as written by Mackenzie MacAndie nephew of David whom resides in Scotland)
The grey marble gravestone immediately in front of the entrance door of the Tarbat Discovery Centre marks the burial place of James Ross McAndie and his wife Helen Munro, both of whom were born in Tarbat parish. James, at Balnuig, Geanies, and Helen, at Wilkhaven, and both families had a long history in the parish. James, being a Ploughman, lived and worked on several different farms, including Bindal, Brucefield and Pitkerrie. They had three sons and one daughter, all born locally. They eventually left the farm work behind and moved to Carnegie Buildings, Portmahomack, where Helen became the Librarian and James was the Hallkeeper, at the same time as being employed as a Roadman, locally.
James’s father died when James was just two years old, and James had to start work at a very early age. He was employed as a Houseboy at Bindal House at the age of twelve, and seems to have missed out on an education, with the result that he was illiterate, although it is believed that he was a good debater and had a keen interest in politics. However Helen was well educated and ensured her children were well read, and had a good start in life.
Also commemorated on the stone, although buried in France, is their son David Ross Mcandie, who was born at Bindal in 1887. David enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, in 1904, and served with distinction for a period of three years. Soon after discharge from the army, he emigrated, along with his brother Hugh, to Canada, where they eventually settled into separate Homesteads in Shamrock, Saskatchewan. Hugh was married and had a young family, but David took on his Homestead on his own, although their land did adjoin, and they worked together.
Soon after the outbreak of the First World War, David volunteered for army service, leaving his homestead in the capable hands of his brother, Hugh. Initial training was in Canada, and he gained early promotion, because of his previous service. After training, David was transferred to serve with 10th (Alberta) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Later to become known as The Fighting Tenth) because they were the only Battalion to fight in every major battle in France. David quickly made a name for himself, and rapidly rose through the ranks. He was mentioned personally in the dispatches of General Sir Douglas Haig, for his conduct during the battle for Vimy Ridge, after which he was Commissioned, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. As Officer Commanding A Company, he led his company in an advance well in front of the allied line, to liberate the town of Caix, an action for which he was awarded the Military Cross, to go with the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, he had been awarded in previous actions.
David was very proud of his roots, and never forgot home. He kept a diary, during his war service, and mentions home several times. He was very proud to receive food parcels from the pupils at Tarbat Old School, and mentions how pleased he was that he had been remembered by them. Several entries refer to meeting old friends from Tarbat, including his brother Tom who was serving with the 4th Seaforth.
Sadly David was killed in action on Thursday 15 August 1918. He is commemorated on memorials in France, Canada, and at the National War Memorial, at Edinburgh Castle, although he does not appear on the memorial at Portmahomack, because he was with a colonial army.
David, of course, had no family, but his brothers Hugh, and Tom, and his sister, Maggie, did, and although no Mcandie’s remain in Tarbat, they are scattered all over Scotland, England and in Canada, and all remain proud of their roots, and consider Tarbat as where they belong, and visit regularly, including the Canadians.
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Distinguished Conduct Medal (top left) Military Cross (top centre) Military Medal (top right) Dog Tags (centre) 1914/15 Star (bottom left) British War Medal (bottom middle) Victory Medal (bottom right) The Oak leaf clusters awarded for being mentioned in dispatches are shown on ribbons of the top two medals. |
Davids Original Grave Site at Beaufort British Cemetery – France
On April 14th 1925 the family was informed that the grave was moved to
Bray-sur-Somme France – Cerisy Gailly Millitary Cemetery
More Information On The Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery Can Be Found Here:
www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/25800/CERISY-GAILLY%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY