MacDougall, Archibald (1887 - 1918)

Captain, 8th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Buried at Harlebeke New British Cemetery

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Captain Archibald MacDougall was the elder son of the late Mr. Alex. MacDougall, 33 Cranworth Street, Hillhead. Like his brother and sisters he received all his education at Hillhead High School. He was one of those pupils who are equally distinguished in work and games, and School life was for him something of a triumphal procession.

On leaving School he entered the office of Mr. A. M. Carstairs, chartered accountant, and in 1912 was admitted a member of the Institute of Accountants. He was one of the founders of the F.P. Rugby and Tennis Sections, and, as long as he remained in Glasgow, he was one of the most prominent players in the first teams.

In 1913 he received a good appointment in London. There he kept up his interest in games and became a member of the London Scottish, playing for the first XV in the three-quarter line. Later he went to Rangoon in the service of the Burma Oil Company.

On the outbreak of war he at once joined the Mounted Volunteer Corps in Upper Burma, but service there was too far removed from the main struggle for his eager spirit, and in June, 1915, he returned home. He obtained a commission in the 1/8th Scottish Rifles, and after a period of training at home he joined his battalion in Palestine. There he took part in the sweeping advance which secured for us the whole of Southern Palestine, including Jerusalem.

He was slightly wounded in one of the engagements, but was soon able to rejoin his battalion. In March, 1918, he was transferred with his division to France. There he shared in some of the fiercest fighting in the war. Our continuous advance during the last four months of the war has somewhat obscured the fact that we had often to pay a terrific price for it. It was indeed almost at the eleventh hour of the war, the 31st October, that Archie MacDougall fell, just as he had successfully led his men to their final objective in a most difficult operation.

His colonel said of him-" Captain MacDougall was one of the most likeable men I ever knew, and he was not only popular with both officers and men, but he had also their respect, without which a man cannot be a good officer. As a soldier he was cool, capable, and conscientious. I always knew that a job entrusted to him would be well done."

Another officer of the battalion writes-" I am guilty of no exaggeration when I tell you that ' Mac,' as he was affectionately called, was always one of the most popular officers the battalion ever had."

The School will not willingly let fade the memory of one of its most gifted and loyal sons, who was also a gallant soldier and staunch friend. The heartfelt sympathy of the School is extended to his young widow, his sisters, and his brother.