Nat Gould

Gavin Watson McArthur 1878-1917

Gavin Watson McArthur was born on 17 June 1878 (1) at Sandknowe, Strathaven in Avondale parish, Lanarkshire in Scotland, the son of Colin Alexander McArthur 1857-1932 and his wife née (Elizabeth Watson (born 1856). In the family he was known as Gavie (pronounced Guy).

By 1891 the family had moved from Avondale to Lesmahagow also in Lanarkshire. Gavin McArthur was then a scholar aged twelve living with his parents and four sisters in New Town there. When the 1901 Census was taken the family had moved to Post Office Buildings in Lesmahagow where his father had a draper's shop. Gavin McArthur was then recorded as being an assurance agent aged 22 years.

By 1911 he had moved to Buxton in Derbyshire where he was a tailor working at Buchannan's in Spring Gardens, the main street in the town. He was then lodging at 33 Heath Grove in the town, the home of Joseph Sellers and his wife nee Martha Elizabeth Adams 1875-1967, the elder sister of his future wife.

In 1913 he married Edith Mary Adams at St. Peter's church in Fairfield, Buxton.

They had a daughter Mary Elizabeth McArthur (born 1914) and a son Colin Alexander McArthur (born 1917).

When the First World War broke out in 1914, Gavin McArthur enlisted at Buxton as a private in the Gordon Highlanders 42nd Battalion (2). He was posted to the Western Front in France. Later he was transferred to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and was promoted to Lance Corporal (3).

Gavin McArthur was killed in action on 31 July 1917. He was 37 years of age. He has no known grave, but his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate War Memorial at Ypres in Belgium (4). He never saw his son.

(1) The superb Scottish Records give the actual time as well as the date of birth, together with the parents' names, mother's maiden surname, and the date of their marriage. Gavin Watson McArthur was born at 8.20 a.m. on 17 June 1878.
(2) His service number was S/30548: Index to War Deaths 1914-1921 Army Other Ranks.
(3) His promotion came shortly before he was killed. It made a very useful addition to the pension that his widow received.
(4) Panel 38 and 40 of the Menin Gate War Memorial.