12th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 19th September 1918
Morayshire Roll of Honour
Extract from the above 1921 publication :- GRANT, Munro. No. 20011, Private, Royal Army Medical Corrps and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; born at Callander, Advie, 29th October 1890; joined at Aberdeen, 1st May, 1917, served in Macedonia; killed in action in Macedonia, 19th September 1918. Son of James and Annie Grant (both deceased). Occupation – Reporter.
Further Military Research
He enlisted into the army on 2 December 1915 and was immediately put in the reserve. On the 1st May 1917 he was mobilised into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private, No.115881. His description was given as :-
- Height – 5’7″
- Chest – 35″ + 2″
- Occupation – Reporter (Working for the Aberdeen Daily Journal)
- Single
It is unknown what date Munro moved to Greece with the Medical Corps, but he found himself stationed at Summer Hill Camp, near Salonika. From accounts at the time, it wasn’t a fantastic camp to be at, although generally a safe place to be, apart from the occasional air raid. Coincidentally exactly a year before his death, on the 19 September 1917, he requested a transfer to his local regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders. He was however, transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders instead. I suspect he was placed into that regiment as they were probably the closest Scottish infantry regiment to him. His Commanding Officer agreed to the transfer on the 27 September 1917 and he joined the unit on the 4 October 1917.
On the 19 September 1918, he was killed in action. It is likely that he was killed in the Allies final offensive which commenced on the 15th September, which resulted in the defeat of the Bulgarian forces on the 29th September.
Munro was originally buried in Colonial Hill Cemetery No.2, this was later re-named Dorian Military Cemetery, Greece.
Family
Munro Grant was born on 29 October 1890 at Callandar, Advie, Cromdale. In the 1891 and 1901 Census his family is shown as the following :-
- Father – James Grant, Farmer, born c.1843 at Cromdale.
- Mother – Annie Robertson or Grant, born c.1851 at Elgin, Morayshire.
- Brother – James Robertson, born c.1882 at St.Andrews, Morayshire.
- Brother – WIlliam John, born c.1883 at Cromdale, Morayshire.
- Sister – Annie May, born c.1888 at Cromdale, Morayshire.
- Brother – Alexander, born c.1891 at Cromdale, Morayshire.
According to the family grave, Alexander Grant and Alexander Munro Grant both died in Infancy.
In his Service Records his brother, James Robertson Grant is shown as residing c/o Thomson, 4 Howe Street, Paisley and his other brother, William John Grant is shown as residing at 27 Ormonde Mansions, Southampton Row, London.
When his estate was settled on 22 July 1919, the sum of £159 was given to his sister Annie May Grant, ‘Springfield’ Dufftown, who was Executor to the Will.
Addresses
On his initial application to the army in 1915, his address was shown as 7 Strawberry Bank, Aberdeen. (This address appears to no longer exist as there are new houses in that area of the city.)
Later in the war, his address was shown at his sisters Annie at ‘Springfield’, Dufftown, Banffshire.
In the 1891 Census, the family address is shown as ‘Callander’, Advie, this is likely to be a family farm in the area.
In the 1901 Census, the family address is shown as 8 South Street, Cromdale. (I could not find this address in the small village, there is a possibility that it may in fact be Grantown on Spey).
Medals
Munro Grant was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.
Memorials
Munro Grant is honoured and remembered on the Advie War Memorial and the Strathspey and District War Memorial, Grantown-On-Spey.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Munro Grant
- Lives of the First World War – Munro Grant
- A Street Near You – Munro Grant
- Imperial War Museum – Guide to the Salonika Campaign
- Family Grave website – Munro Grant
References
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Medal Index Card – Munro Grant.
- Medal Roll – Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – British War and Victory Medals.
- British Army Service Record.
- Family Grave at Advie Cemetery, Highland.
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart
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