More about Robert Jamieson Rattray

Robert J Rattray was the son of Mr Charles M Rattray and Mrs Mary M Rattray of 2 Prospect Terrace, Hill Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee. He was employed as a Clerk when, in September 1914, he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division (RND). After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was drafted to the Drake Battalion which was billeted at Manderston Stables at Duns, Berwickshire in November. Manderston House was presented with commemorative scroll listing Officers and Men of the Battalion and this is on display at the House. At the end of January 1915 the Battalion entrained for Blandford Camp in Dorset to undertake Brigade and Divisional Training with the rest of the RND. At the end of February the Drake and another eight RND Battalions sailed for the Eastern Mediterranean and, after the Allied Naval Forces failed to force a passage through the Dardanelles, prepared for a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in April. However, before the landings on 25 April, Robert Rattray was evacuated to hospital in Port Said, Egypt, in early April with a vaccinia infection. Next month, he was moved to Raseltin Hospital in Alexandria with diarrhoea and vomiting. He recovered and embarked on the Transport Ship Mashobra on 20 May and took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June. He received gunshot wounds in the left arm and chest the day after the battle and was evacuated to Malta onboard the troopship SS Ivernia. Robert Rattary recovered and rejoined the Battalion on Gallipoli in mid July. At the beginning of September he again became ill with diarrhoea and was treated at a Casualty Clearing Station on Gallipoli but his condition deteriorated and he was evacuated to Alexandria at the end of the month. On leaving hospital he was drafted to the RND Records Office in Alexandria. In November he became ill with enteritis and admitted to the General Hospital in Alexandria. By 16 December his condition was assessed as dangerously ill and he died on 18 December 1915. He was buried in Alexandria Chatby Cemetery, grave reference 2532 by the Reverend W R Rankine.

Robert was the brother of Cpl James Milne Ramsay 345264, of the 14th Battalion, Black Watch who was killed in action 06.11.1917.

Robert like his brother was a former pupil of Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry and both brothers are remembered on the schools war memorial.

Robert Jamison Rattray   CZ/287   Drake Bn   R.N.D.

RATTRAY—At Alexandria 15th General Hospital, on 18th inst., from enteric fever, Robert Jamison, Drake Battalion, Naval Brigade, youngest son of the late Charles Rattray and Mrs Rattray, 2 Prospect Terrace, Broughty Ferry.

Dundee Courier 23rd December 1915

The death is announced from enteric fever of Seaman Robert Jamison Rattray, of the Naval Brigade.  Seaman Jamison, attached to the Drake Batt., at Gallipoli, was the youngest son of the late Charles Rattray and Mrs Rattray, 2 Prospect Terrace, Broughty Ferry.  He died in hospital at Alexandria.

Broughty Ferry Guide 24th December 1915