More about George McKimmie

For reasons unknown he served under the name of George Black. Formally S/8093, Gordon Highlanders.

He is not listed on the original Dundee Roll of Honour although his 3 brothers who died are. Georges 6 brothers all served during the Great War, with 3 paying the ultimate sacrifice, they were:-

Pte John Duncan McKimmie 32113, 16th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who died 23.11.1918, Pte James McKimmie 8423, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed in action 26.04.1915, and Pte William McKimmie 772, 1st Battalion Black Watch, who was killed in action, 09.05.1915. The 3 remaining brothers all survived.

The remarkable story of Mrs M’Kimmie, 33 Hill Street, whose seven sons and a son-in-law were with the colours by 18 September 1914.

DUNDEE MOTHER GIVES SEVEN SONS TO SERVE KING AND COUNTRY.
The photo shows Mrs M’Kimmie, her seven sons, and son-in-law. (1) William M’Kimmie; (2) Thomas M’Kimmie; (3) Stewart Stark; (4) John M’Kimmie; (5) Edward M’Kimmie; (6) George M’Kimmie; (7) David M’Kimmie; (8) James M’Kimmie; (9) Mrs M’Kimmie.
Can any woman beat the record of Mrs James M’Kimmie, of 33 Hill Street.
Mrs M’Kimmie’s seven sons have left her to serve their King and country, and she is now residing at 20 North Ellen Street with her daughter. Mrs Stewart Stark, whose husband is also on active service.
The M’Kimmies are a good old Highland family, and hail from Macduff, in the north of Scotland. The father, James M’Kimmie, who died some time ago, was a member of the Volunteers in the North and in Dundee. John (31), the eldest son, is married, and resides at 22 Powrie Place. He was not a soldier until the war broke out, and was evidently thrilled with the martial spirit or stirred to action by seeing his other brothers go forward, for he immediately enlisted in the 4th Battalion (City of Dundee) Black Watch. All the other sons had seen service previously. James the second son, is 30 years of age, and unmarried. He was a Reservist, having been eight years in the Seaforths. His mother has heard no news from him since he was called to the colours, and he is thought to be in the thick of the fighting.
The next son, William, is 29 years of age. He is a member of the Black Watch in India. He has been seven years abroad, and had been expecting to return last October, but apparently he had had to put in an extra year. It had been arranged that he would come home next month, but present circumstances will not now permit of this. George, the fourth son, who is 25 years of age, is a member of the 4th Black Watch. He also served in India, having been six years abroad.
Edward is the next son. He is 22 years of age, and is married, his wife residing at 53 Hill Street. The Dundee R.A.M.C. is his regiment.
Thomas is 20 years of age, and he is off with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His mother has had no word from him since he was called up, and she feels sure that he is now at the front.
Her youngest son is David. He is only 18 years of age, and is a driver in the Dundee Army Service Corps.
Stewart Stark (32), son-in-law of Mrs M’Kimmie, was a reservist in the Highland Light Infantry, and was called up at the same time as James M’Kimmie. Stark is believed to be in the South of England.
When war broke out and the mobilisation orders were issued, Jim, Tom, and David were all at home. They were the sole support of their mother, and their departure meant much to her.
There was a feeling of just pride about Mrs M’Kimmie as she told a “Courier” representative yesterday what the war meant to her.
MOTHER’S STRANGE DREAM.
Mrs M’Kimmie had a remarkable story to tell of a dream which she had about her son Willie. She dreamt that she saw him lying in bed with a white bandage across his forehead. He looked deathly pale, and her mother, who died about twenty years ago, was seated at the bedside knitting her stocking. Mrs M’Kimmie’s mother remarked to her, “Don’t put yourself about. He is all right. You will be pleased that you have seen him.” Willie appeared to rise up in his bed, open his eyes, shut them again, and then vanish.
“It was a curious dream,” said Mrs M’Kimmie, “and I can’t get it out of my head.”
Mrs M’Kimmie is one of the women of whom Lord Kitchener is proud. She is cherishing the hope that all her gallant sons will be gathered roun her “ain fireside” by New Year time. The Courier, Friday, 18 September 1914, 4.