MacPherson, John Cook
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Regiment: 3rd Battalion (attached to 1st Battalion) Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of Rev. R. Macpherson, D.D.; Born Elgin, 30 January 1886; graduated M.A. and LL.B., 1910; Hunter Medal in Roman Law; Gladstone Memorial Prize. At the outbreak of war he was in Edinburgh where he was engaged in the Solicitor's Department of the North British Railway Company. During his student days he was a Private in "U" Company, Gordon Highlanders and in September 1914, although his health had never been robust, he enlisted in the 9th Battalion Royal Scots and went to France with his regiment early in 1915. Shortly afterwards he was commissioned to the 11th Battalion and attached to the 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. After further training he was attached to the 1st Battalion of the regiment and was serving with them in France when he was killed in action, leading the remnant of his Company at the third attempt to get through the wire entanglement during the severe fighting at Loos, 25 September 1915. His personality was one of unusual charm, and his kindly and genial manner had gained for him a wide circle of friends. In literature and art he took a keen interest, and was Editor of "Alma Mater". A slightly dilettante attitude concealed to some extent his more solid characteristics, but the war swept aside what was never more than an attractive pose and brought out the true nature of the man. By his friends, Macpherson will be remembered as an example of the best type which the Scottish Universities produce.
Date of Death: 25 September 1915
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Panel 38, Column 3.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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