Percy Heggie

Military Information

  • Date of enlistment:
  • Place of enlistment: Kirkaldy
  • Service no: 43365
  • Rank: Private
  • Service Occupation:
  • Awards:
  • Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
  • Unit/Ship: 17th Battalion
  • Place of Death: France
  • Age at Death: 18
  • Date of Death: 25.08.1916
  • Burial Country: France
  • Cemetery: Chocques Military Cemetery
  • Grave/Mem Ref no: I.J.90.

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth: 27.03.1898
  • Place of Birth: Broughty Ferry
  • Address: Tait Cottage, West Ferry, Dundee
  • Occupation: Robert Lamb & Co, Linen Merchants, Dundee
  • Mother:

    Diana Heggie, Tait Cottage, 3, Grove Rd, Broughty Ferry

  • Father:

    Alexander Heggie

  • Siblings:
  • Spouse:
  • Children:

More about Percy Heggie

Percy was a former pupil of Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry and is remembered on the schools war memorial.

Percy Heggie   43365   Highland Light Infantry

FORMER DUNDEE CLERK DIES AT THE FRONT.

Mrs Heggie, Rait Cottage, West Ferry, has been informed that her son, Private Percy Heggie, died at the front on 25th inst.

Deceased was a son of the late Mr Alex Heggie, tailor, Dundee.  He enlisted in the H.C.B. in January of last year, being subsequently transferred to the Highland Light Infantry.  He went to the front in July last.  He was a keen sportsman, and was in the office of Messrs Robert Lamb & Co., linen merchants, Dundee, when he enlisted in his 17th year.

Dundee Courier 30th August 1916

Bro’ty Soldier Dies at the Front.

Mr John Tannahill writes from Bridge of Cally :____

“I regret to see from this morning’s paper the first death amongst the Broughty Ferry Y.M.C.A. young men.  Nearly all our young men who are of age have gone at the call of King and Country, and I regret to see that Bertie Heggie has been the first to make the great sacrifice.  He was one of the brightest lads connected with our Association, and beloved by all who knew him.  It is only a few weeks since he paid a visit to our Sabbath Morning Meeting when last home previous to his going to France.”

Broughty Ferry Guide 1st September 1916

THE DEATH OF PRIVATE HEGGIE.

Mrs Heggie, Tait Cottage, West Ferry, has just received the following official information relative to the death of her son , Percy, in France.

“I regret to say that it is my duty to inform you that your son, Percy Heggie, of this Battalion, was killed in action.

He was mortally wounded on the 24th from shell fire, and died on the 25th.  I was with him in the trench just after he had been hit, and I can assure you that he suffered no pain, being conscious all the time.  You have the deepest sympathy of all officers and men of this Battalion in your great loss.—J. G. Stephen, Lieutenant, 17th H.L.I., B.E.F.”

From the commanding officer :___

“I very much regret to inform you that your letter reached me two days after your son had been severely wounded while at his post in the firing line.  He was immediately attended to by the Battalion Medical Officer, and was afterwards conveyed to Field Ambulance, where he died shortly after admission.  He was buried in a military cemetery here.  Our Regimental Chaplain, the Rev. Captain H. Gray, has, I understand, sent you a letter of condolence.  I wish to join with him in expressing sympathy with you in the great sacrifice you have been called upon to make at this time,”–W. J. Paul, Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding 17th (S) Battalion H.L.I.

        “29th August. 1916”

Broughty Ferry Guide 8th September 1916

Additional information kindly supplied by Michael Caldwell

Can you tell us more about Percy Heggie'? Some additional facts, a small story handed down through the family or perhaps a picture or an heirloom you can share online. Contact our curator...

THANK YOU for your interest in helping the Great War Dundee project. Please complete the short form below and a curator will contact you in the next few days.

    I am writing to:

    [wos_roh_data]