A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CLAN DONNACHAIDH DNA PROJECT AROUND THE CLAN DONNACHAIDH AREA

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1 CLAN DONNACHAIDH SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 2009 No 1 Welcome to this first edition of a Clan Donnachaidh Society electronic newsletter. This is still at the experimental stage and will develop over the months to come. This is not intended to replace the annual but to cover somewhat different ground and to make contact with Society members. News from the clan centre should come slightly later, after the Council meeting at the end of April. In the meantime, a couple of features are offered that I hope it will be possible to build upon. The first concerns the Clan Donnachaidh area, which is taken to include places where the clan surnames have been found in past centuries, not only the lands historically held by the chiefs. To assist the DNA project, we have been mapping the location of the clan surnames in the middle of the 18th century (very grateful thanks are due to Barbara Duncan for her ongoing work in this connection). An early version of the maps has been published in the DNA project newsletter and a later version will be published in the forthcoming annual. This is still work in progress. In this issue we have taken a short walk from Pitlochry, where the clan society gatherings are held, to the historic village centre of Moulin. As many Clan Donnachaidh Society members have not had the opportunity to visit the area associated with the clan and the places where the gatherings are held, this is to give some impression of the locality. The second feature is Clan Donnachaidh in my area, which may well relate to something totally outside the clan area. Anyone should be able to write this, perhaps sharing their own family s history. As I am beginning from one of the Benelux countries shortly after the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, we are heading for one of the battle zones. Stephanie Robertson A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CLAN DONNACHAIDH DNA PROJECT Clan Donnachaidh haplogroups E G I I1 I2a I2b J1 J2 R1a R1b1b2a1b3 R1b1b2a1b4 R1b1b2a1b5b R1b other This is a chart of the haplogroup distribution of our project. Haplogroups are the broadest general genetic groupings, representing the main branches of the human family tree; the distinguishing mutations occurred several thousand years ago. The table here is based on founding fathers, so known family groups count as only one person. This breakdown is only an estimate as not all participants have had their haplogroup tested. The great majority are Haplogroup R1b, the most common in Western Europe. Within that grouping some significant variants have been noted, particularly R1b1b2a1b5b, which originated in north-west Ireland but which is found across Scotland. Some interesting newly discovered divisions are not sufficiently documented to be included. At present it appears most R1b participants are descended from the earliest inhabitants who returned to Britain after the Ice Age, but the picture may change with further discoveries. Haplogroup I is also noteworthy. In more northern parts of Scotland it may indicate migration from the north and east in prehistoric times, whereas further south it may also represent Anglian and Viking incursions. I1 is associated with (remote) origins in northern Europe and I2 with (remote) origins in the Balkans. AROUND THE CLAN DONNACHAIDH AREA The clan society gatherings are held in Pitlochry, which is an ideal location close to the historical clan area, with good road and rail links and a wide range of hotels and guest houses. Although there are signs of ancient settlement in the area, it is not an old town. It covers the site of three small hamlets and owes its existence to road and railway building. General Wade built the Great North Road through here in 1727 and more buildings grew up. Then in 1861 the railway arrived. The combination of easy travel, scenery and healthy Highland air enabled Pitlochry to develop as a tourist town.

2 Moulin 1 The town of Pitlochry only came fully into existence in the 19th century. It was part of the parish of Moulin, which like many Highland parishes was very large nearly 13 miles in length. It contained not only the village of Moulin and Pitlochry, but various other small settlements. The battlefield of Killiekrankie also lies within the parish. This article will deal primarily with the historic village centre, which lies a mile or so from Pitlochry (you can get there by a pleasant walk). The survey of clan surnames in the mid-18th century has revealed 92 Robertson and 60 Reid baptisms in Moulin between 1730 and Moulin was not the parish with the highest number of baptisms for either surname, but nevertheless came high on both lists: the fourth most frequent for Reid and the eighth most frequent for Robertson. In fact the population was beginning to decline in this period. In 1755 it was reported that the population was By 1791 there were only 1749 inhabitants. It appears the chief reason was the conversion of farms from cornfields to sheep, which required less labour. The village centre of Moulin, with the church, inn (and brewery) is a much more ancient settlement, than Pitlochry. Moulin Inn (right) dates from Its impressive size marks the fact that the old north road ran through Moulin. Mary Queen of Scots travelled along this road when she visited Blair Castle in Moulin Kirk (below) is the oldest in the district, though its exact age is uncertain. It has been rebuilt several times; the present building dates from Moulin Kirk: All religious services were transferred to Pitlochry in 1990 and the church building is now used as a genealogy and local history centre. This is well worth a visit as, in addition to the local and genealogical records, there are often interesting local history exhibitions. The building and churchyard are worth visiting in their own right. The churchyard contains a number of memorials that are much older than the present church building. The two oldest are the Crusader stones, which display a medieval sword (one is shown above). They may have covered the graves of Knights of St John (a military religious order now known as the Knights of Malta), but could in fact have covered the grave of any knight. Interestingly, the local magnate, David of Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, died in 1270 on crusade in Tunisia with St Louis, King of France. 1 The sources include: Pitlochry: Heritage of a Highland District, Colin Liddell, 1993; The History and Heritage of Pitlochry and District, The Pitlochry and District Tourist Association, no date. 2

3 At the end of the 18th century, the main language spoken was Gaelic, though most people understood enough English to be able to transact business with lowlanders. More people had learnt to read Gaelic since the Bible had been published in Gaelic. By the 1830s Gaelic had lost ground considerably. The minister commented: The older people of the parish speak it with classical correctness, whereas the rising generation intermixes it with many Anglicisms. In the 1830s, the minister added that the population consisted primarily of respectable tenants and tradesmen. Their houses were mostly kept very clean. The style of dress was increasingly coming to resemble that of the lowlanders to the south. It were well, however, if some of our young people would find their way to the Pitlochry Savings Bank, and not throw away their scanty earnings on exterior personal embellishment. At this period the staple diet was still meal, milk and potatoes, though most families were able to rear a pig. Even the poorest endeavoured to get hold of tea, snuff and tobacco. The Rev. Alexander Stewart who contributed to the Statistical Account of Scotland in 1791 recorded that the average height of the men of the parish was 5 feet 5 or 5 feet 6 inches and the women 5 feet. They are frugal in their diet, but study a neat and showy appearance in their dress and furniture. None are known to have migrated beyond Sea from the parish. The village green at Moulin, with a display of spring daffodils. A 19th century author wrote it would be difficult to point out another more picturesque [village]; an irregular mixture of houses, and mills, and bridges, and falling waters, and noble trees; a careless profusion of the elements of rustic landscape, to which is added a rich and singular surrounding country. Moulin Market was held in the field to the south of Baledmund in late February or early March. It was the custom for deals to be struck by clasping hands at a standing stone known as the Dane s Stone. People travelled from miles around to attend this market, despite the fact that the weather was frequently stormy at this time of year. Moulin Market was the principal market for the sale of linen yarn, which was produced from locally grown flax. Most females over the age of eight were involved in spinning the yarn. This yarn was coarse and the industry declined with the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century and the rise of machine-made cotton goods. Towards the end of the 18th century weaving became more important as a cottage industry. The search for employment was undoubtedly one of the most important factors in the spread of the clan surnames. Over the centuries people moved away to take up farming leases elsewhere or to find work in the towns. A view of Baledmund (an anglicized version of baile aodin moradh town on the face of the moor) taken from outside Moulin village. Baledmund is the property in the distance. Moulin Market was held near here 3

4 NINETY YEARS ON Left: The site of the railway sidings where the Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918 near Compiègne in France. This monument marks the spot where Marshal Foch s carriage halted on 8 November Right: The site of the railway carriage used by the German delegation who came to seek an armistice. In the background, the statue of Marshal Foch, who represented France in the talks to end the war. The photos were taken on 8 November 2008, shortly before the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. Millions of people s lives were changed because of the First World War, which ended here. It is impossible to give a brief overview of Clan Donnachaidh involvement in the First World War. Here are some Scottish and Clan Donnachaidh connections with two well-known memorials. This article also represents Clan Donnachaidh in my area as I regularly pass close to the areas associated with the First World War battlefields on my way to Calais. Stephanie Robertson CLAN DONNACHAIDH SURNAMES ON THE MENIN GATE AT YPRES The Menin Gate in Ypres in Belgium is one of the most evocative memorials of the First World War. It is one of four memorials to the missing in this area. The site was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates the missing of all Commonwealth nations apart from New Zealand (in the case of United Kingdom soldiers it commemorates casualties up to 16 August 1917). The total number of missing soldiers commemorated here is Various Clan Donnachaidh surnames have been extracted from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records for the Menin Gate. Apologies for not investigating Scottish holders of the names Dobbins, Read, Reed, Roberts and Robinson and some other names that are widely found outside Scotland. It would be too large an undertaking to try to count them selectively. You are welcome to contribute something about an individual Clan Donnachaidh First World War soldier. In fact, 213 Clan Donnachaidh surnames were counted, including a Robertson who served as Kerr and not including a Robertson for whom it is stated See Robinson, the true family name. The numbers are: Donachie, Donnachie and Donaghy 5; Duncan 34; Duncanson 1; Inches 1; McConnachie 1; McRobbie 2; Reid 72; Robertson (including Robison) 96; Roy 1. There were also four Starks, but they all had English connections and may be from the English Stark families. (There is a possibility that the Australian Roy may have been descended from a French Hugenot family, rather than a Perthshire family.) The full record of these missing soldiers covers 10 pages even in small font. Consequently a few of the main points are given here. The full extract can be sent on request. It is interesting how the family details on the full list coincide with the surname maps that have already been published in the annual. As some of the surnames do not feature in the lists below, those for whom family details are given are listed here. Lance Corporal Robert Smith Donaghy, Durham Light Infantry, killed 9 August 1915, 28. Husband of Eva Donaghy, of 39, Hurworth St., West Hartlepool. Private Donald Duncanson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, killed 21 February 1915, 24. Son of Mrs. A. Duncanson, of 71, Inglis St., Dennistoun, Glasgow. 4

5 Lance Serjeant James Inches, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed 31 October 1914, 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Inches, of 46, Reid St., Dunfermline. Private Francis McConnachie, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, killed 11 May 1915 [no more details]. Private W H G McRobbie, Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment), killed 10 November 1917, 20. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. McRobbie, of Leross; husband of Annie J. Fraser McRobbie, of Leross, Saskatchewan. Lance Corporal Walter Roy, Australian Infantry, A.I.F., killed 4 October 1917, 26. Son of John Theophilus and Florence Emily Roy, of Yanac, Victoria. The youngest whose age is mentioned Private Lewis Theodor Sinclair Reid, London Regiment (London Scottish), killed 1 November 1914 aged 17. Son of John and Annie Battley Reid, of 42, Sheepcote Rd., Harrow. Private William Robertson, Northumberland Fusiliers, killed 26 April 1915, aged 18. Private George Reid, Gordon Highlanders, killed 2 March 1916, aged 18. Son of George and Margaret Reid, of 51, Hutcheon St., Aberdeen. Lance Corporal L. A. Robertson, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, killed 2 June 1916, age 18. Son of E. A. Robertson, M.D., and Edna F. Robertson (nee Johnston), of 4144, Dorchester St. West, Westmount, P.Q. Private John Robison, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment), killed 26 October 1917, age 18. Son of John Charles and Elizabeth Robison, of Kilsyth, Ontario. The oldest whose age is mentioned Private Alexander Robertson, Cameron Highlanders, killed 11 November 1914, aged 43. Son of the late Angus and Peggy Robertson; husband of Kate Robertson, of 182, Firhill Rd., Maryhill, Glasgow. Private Thomas Walter Robertson, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment), killed 13 June 1916, aged 44. Son of Burdon and Jane Robertson, of Sunderland, England; husband of Winifred Robertson, of 166, Catherine St. North, Hamilton, Ontario. Was employed for 25 years as cashier to a paint manufacturer in Sunderland, England. Private Henry Reid, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed 3 January 1915, aged 47. Nephew and adopted son of Mr. H. McNeill, of 50, Wallace St., Ayr. Private George Robertson, Gordon Highlanders, killed 3 April 1916, aged 48. Son of James and Amelia Robertson, of Main St., Davidson s Mains, Midlothian. The various ranks Captain (Stuart Duncan of the Gloucestershire Regiment, killed on 13 November 1914) 1; Company Quartermaster Sergeant 1; Corporal 4; Gunner 1; Lance Corporal 17; Lance Serjeant 3; Lieutenant 4; Lieutenant Colonel 1; Regimental Sergeant Major 1; Rifleman 4; Sapper 1; Second Lieutenant 2; Serjeant 10. The remainder had the rank of Private. Forces and regiments most frequently mentioned Canadian Infantry (all regiments) 42: Central Ontario 10, Manitoba 9, Quebec 6; Gordon Highlanders 29; Australian Infantry 21; Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 7; Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 7; Cameron Highlanders 6; King s Own Scottish Borderers 6; Northumberland Fusiliers 6; Princess Patricia s Canadian Light Infantry 5; Royal Scots Fusiliers 5; Seaforth Highlanders 5. Casualties on the same day When the dates are listed in chronological order it can be seen when heavy casualties occurred and when comrades fell together. Here is a selection the First Battle of Ypres This took place in October and November 1914, when a small British Expeditionary Force succeeded in securing the town before the onset of winter, pushing the German forces back to the Passchendaele Ridge. 22 October 1914 Cameron Highlanders Lance Corporal Thomas Reid, 24, Son of Malcolm and Marion Grey Reid, of 14, Carscallan Row, Quarter, Lanarkshire. Private John Robertson Private Robert Robertson, 34. Son of Robert C. Robertson; husband of Agnes McCummond Robertson, of 14, Main St., Calton, Glasgow. 14 December 1914 Gordon Highlanders Private Alexander Reid 5

6 Private Scott Robertson, 34. Son of the late Henry and Louisa Ann Robertson, of Edinburgh. 17 years service. Served throughout the South African Campaign. Private William Robertson Also Private Andrew Robertson, Duke of Wellington s (West Riding Regiment) 1915 the Second Battle of Ypres The Second Battle of Ypres began in April 1915 when the Germans released poison gas into the Allied lines north of Ypres. This was the first time gas had been used by either side and the violence of the attack forced an Allied withdrawal and a shortening of the line of defence. 24 April 1915 Canadian Infantry Private J. W. Robertson, British Columbia Regiment, 30. Son of Mary A. Robertson, of High River, Alberta, and the late Donald Robertson. Private Herbert George Reid, Central Ontario Regiment, 24. Only son of John and Jane Reid, of 236, Cliftonville Rd., Belfast, Ireland. Private James Robertson, Central Ontario Regiment, 31. Son of William Edmonston Robertson and Elizabeth Robertson, of 3, Lily Bank, Burntisland, Scotland; husband of Jessie Robertson, of 173, Wolverleigh Blod, Toronto. Lance Sergeant John Leslie Reid, Quebec Regiment, 30. Son of John H. and Sara E. Waugh Reid, of Seaforth, Ontario. Private David Duncan, Quebec Regiment, 22. Son of Robert Duncan, of 12, Foundry Lane, Perth, Scotland. Private A. Robertson, Quebec Regiment. 8 May 1915 Private Ernest George Robertson, Middlesex Regiment Private Ellsworth Jones Reid, Princess Patricia s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Reid, of 17, Simonds St., Saint John, New. Brunswick. Private Struan George Robertson, Princess Patricia s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). Son of Mary Emma and the late Victor Alexander Robertsen; husband of Mary Emma Gardner (formerly Robertsen), of 21, Reslyn Rd., Winnipeg. His brother, Lt. Henry Alexander Robertsen, also fell. Private William Thomson Robertson, Princess Patricia s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), 23. Son of the late John Thomson Robertson and Catherine Coleman Robertson. Private Edley Reid, York and Lancaster Regiment, 38. Son of the late Thomas Reid, of Sheffield; husband of Annie Reid, of 11, Victoria Terrace, Hepthorne Lane, Chesterfield 1917 the Third Battle of Ypres This was an offensive was mounted by Commonwealth forces to divert German attention from a weakened French front further south. The initial attempt in June to dislodge the Germans from the Messines Ridge was a complete success, but the main assault north-eastward, which began at the end of July, quickly became a dogged struggle against determined opposition and the rapidly deteriorating weather. The campaign finally came to a close in November with the capture of Passchendaele. 7 June 1917 Australian Infantry Private Walter Gourlie Reid, 32. Son of William and Jane Gourlie Reid, of 106, Windmill Hill St., Motherwell, Scotland. Native of Motherwell, Scotland. Private Alexander Robertson, 37. Son of Alexander and Mary Robertson, of Soudan St., Upper Paddington, Brisbane. Native of Scotland. Private George Robertson Private James Robertson, 33. Son of Isabella Rosina Robertson, of Wimmera St., Stawell, Victoria, and the late Neil Robertson. Native of Callawadda, Victoria. Private Samuel Taylor Robertson, 30. Son of John Tay]or Robertson and Elizabeth Robertson, of Seymour St., Auburn, New South Wales. Native of Stannifer, New South Wales. 31 July 1917 Private James Robertson, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 32. Son of the late William and Janet Robertson; husband of Margaret Robertson, of Young s Land, Hogganfield, Glasgow. Private William Robertson, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Lance Corporal Lewis George Duncan, Gordon Highlanders Serjeant Robert Duncan, Gordon Highlanders Serjeant George Reid, Gordon Highlanders 6

7 Lieutenant John Duncan, Highland Light Infantry Gunner C. Duncan, Royal Field Artillery, 42. Son of John and Agnes Duncan, of 21, Russell St. Rothesay, Bute. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Daniel Reid, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 35. Silver Medal of Italy. Son of Capt. William Thomas Reid of Ardmeallie and Hazlewood, Banffshire and the late Margaret Reid of Cowichan, Vancouver, B.C. Second Lieutenant David Robertson, Royal Scots, 28. Son of David Robertson, of Struan, Kinross. Private Edward Robertson, Private, Seaforth Highlanders. Private James Young Duncan, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), 25. Husband of Wilhelmina C. Duncan, of 74, Gray St., Broughty Ferry. Private Charles Marshall Duncan, The King s (Liverpool Regiment), 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Duncan, The Cromlets, Insch, Aberdeenshire. Left: The Menin Gate, completed in The decorative features, including the lion at the top, were sculpted by Sir William Reid Dick ( ). Reid Dick was born in Glasgow. He was apprenticed to a stonemason but studied art in the evening and eventually became a recognised sculptor. He himself served in the First World War, first with the Royal Army Medical Corps and then with the Royal Engineers. He subsequently worked on a number of war memorials. His connection with the Reids has not yet been discovered. Right: Inside the Menin Gate. The inscription over the door leading to an inner passage reads: Here are recorded names of officers and men who fell in Ypres Salient but to whom the fortunes of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death. IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. This, one of the most famous poems of the First World War, was composed in May 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian soldier of Scottish origin. He began writing it near the medical dug-outs at Essex Farm, behind the Ijzer Canal, after a shell killed a close friend, who was buried in the adjacent cemetery. The cemetery and the more substantial dressing station bunkers that 7

8 replaced the structures existing in 1915 are still there, though, in the carefully tended Commonwealth War Graves cemetery, it is difficult to imagine the carnage. McCrae described the poppies growing in the disturbed ground among the graves. Others who were there testified to the occasional sound of larks in the brief silences between shell bursts. The poem was published in Punch in December 1915 and quickly became one of the most popular poems of the war. It inspired the idea of wearing a poppy to remember the dead and of selling poppies to give money to servicemen in need. The idea of producing artificial poppies and selling them for charity was proposed to Field Marshal Earl Haig, who approved the idea. This was the beginning of the sale of poppies for Remembrance Day. The poem is recited each year at Remembrance Day ceremonies throughout Canada. McCrae died of pneumonia in January 1918 and is buried at Wimereux, near Boulogne. Two Clan Donnachaidh names can be seen at Essex Farm. One greets visitors at the entrance. Because the cemetery was created in battlefield conditions, the graves are not all in orderly rows. Private William Reid of the Gordon Highlanders (who died on 13 July 1917) is buried in a grave standing on its own at the entrance. Private Alfred Reid of the Machine Gun Corps, who died two weeks later on 29 July 1917, is commemorated by a monument standing along the rear boundary of the cemetery. This indicates that he is known to be buried there but his grave can no longer be identified. He was the son of William and Mary Reid, of Dunaskin, Ayrshire; husband of Christina I. Reid, of 9, Grantly Gardens, Shawlands, Glasgow. By sad irony, the grave at Essex Farm of John McCrae s friend, whose death inspired him to write the poem, has been lost. Like the Clan Donnachaidh soldiers mentioned above, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer is now commemorated on the Menin Gate, among those who have no known grave. Advanced dressing station bunkers adjacent to Essex Farm Cemetery. It was near here that John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields in At that period the concrete structures were not in place; the medical staff used simple dugouts. The monument to John McCrae near the dressing station bunkers at Essex Farm Cemetery. McCrae and the poem are also commemorated at Eilean Donan Castle on the memorial to members of Clan MacRae who died in the First World War. At the entrance to Essex Farm Cemetery is the grave of Private William Reid of the Gordon Highlanders, who died on 13 July 1917 (Third Battle of Ypres), aged 26, son of Mr William and Mrs M. Reid, of Woodside Disblair, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire. Behind is the canal bank. The trenches lay on the other side of the canal, where an industrial estate now stands. During the First World War the graves were marked by temporary crosses. McCrae drew part of his inspiration from the poppies growing in the disturbed ground in the cemetery. 8