Fishertown Press, 2010.
294 pages, black and white illustrations interspersed in the script
ISBN 978 0 9561750 4 5
Peter Anderson has researched the background to the soldiers from Central Speyside who died in the Great War. He has used the memorials at Abernethy, Advie, Aviemore, Boat of Garten, Carrbridge, Cromdale, Dulnain, Grantown-on-Spey & Kincardine as points of reference.
He has surveyed the war month by month from August 1914. He gives details on those who fought (some in great depth, others with a briefer comment on their birth, battalion and death) and comments from songs, poetry, newspaper cuttings etc as he progresses to November 1918.
His first casualty is Lance Corporal William Anderson, presumed killed in action at the battle of Le Cateau (26 August 1914) and his last are those who died of their wounds after 1918. He makes a few comments on the progress of the war, but is not always consistent. The Christmas Truce of 1914 is mentioned, Gallipoli is there as is the Battle of the Somme. and the Battle of Amiens. Most other battles are ignored or titles are given in passing.
This has been a labour of love for Peter Anderson, and will be of great interest to anyone who knows Speyside. As a comment on the Great War, why is was fought, how the fighting changed or even how the BEF won through it will hold little interest.
A fiting tribute to the men of Strathspey and, as a Roll of Honour (in a more in-depth format), it paints an insightful picture of the effect of the conflict on one relatively small community of Scotland.
Reviewer: Peter J Palmer
