Private MacFarlane Digital Exhibition
An introduction by Jo Abbot, Private MacFarlane’s Grand-Daughter
“This section of our touchscreen comprises images of WW1 items belonging to my grandfather, Duncan Macfarlane of the Gordon Highlanders.
There are two special images of his service Bible (below), held in his uniform chest pocket, with a bullet hole in the spine. This saved his life. He was missing in action for around six months and suffered many other wounds. I’ve seen the missing in action telegram but, over the years, it disappeared. There is his medical discharge certificate, dog tags, cap badge still with the tartan attached and various other items.
He suffered severe strokes aged fifty and that’s all I remember of him – a tall, cadaverous man with a useless left arm and side who managed to shauchle from his chair to the bathroom. He had the most horrific dreams, screaming and shouting and crying. It’s only as an adult that I was able to appreciate what they were about.
He was an ordinary man, a postman and my grandparents lost two infant boys, one at six months to polio and another at eighteen months to diphtheria. Their oldest daughter, my aunt never married. My mother was born after the war, I was born in 1950 and had two children Duncan MacFarlane’s great grandchildren who, between them, have five great great grandchildren.
This story has never been told and my family feel it’s time it should be. He was my grampa. Seventy two when he died and I was twelve and I loved him.”
Private Duncan MacFarlane’s Pocket Bible:
World War I New Testament bible which were distributed to soldiers during World War I and were commonly carried by soldiers during combat. It features an embossed Maltese Cross with the words: “National Bible Society” and “New Testament”
Cap Badge:
Gordon Highlander’s cap badge showing a stag’s head emerging from a ducal coronet surrounded by a wreath of ivy above the word Bydand which is a Scots / Doric word meaning stand fast, abide or endure. In approximately 1880, this cap badge replaced one which represented a sphinx with the word Egypt. This badge is mounted on a piece of Gordon Highlander’s regimental tartan material from his cap.
“Dog Tags”: Duncan McFarlane’s identity tags. Made from compressed fibreboard, they were worn around the neck. They were used to identify the service member in case of capture, serious injury or death. They were stamped with the service number, initials, surname, initials of the regiment (G H) and religion (in this case, P for Presbyterian).
King’s Certificate of Discharge:
This certificate, awarded to Private Duncan McFarlane on 28 February 1919 is a decorative document confirming that he served with honour and was wounded. The certificate was associated with the Silver War Badge (above). This (army) version of the certificate, shows two soldiers, including an Australian, presenting arms to Britannia.
Silver War Badge: Also known as the “Services Rendered Badge” which was awarded to servicemen and women who were honourably discharged due to wounds, sickness or illness contracted while on active service. It was worn on civilian clothes on the right lapel to protect the wearer from being falsely accused of cowardice for not being in uniform.
Victory Medal:
Issued to personnel who served in the armed forces in World War I. It features the winged goddess of victory. The recipient’s name, rank and regiment are engraved on the rim. On Duncan McFarlane’s medal it reads: “202253 PTE. D. MACFARLANE A & S H”. Note, McFarlane was spelled incorrectly and A & S H (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) rather than Gordon Highlanders. His service records show him as originally in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
British War Medal:
This campaign medal was awarded for services during World War I. The front shows King George V and the reverse shown a naked figure of St George on horseback trampling a shield with a skull and crossbones. Again, this medal reads: “202253 PTE. D. MACFARLANE A & S H”. Note, McFarlane was spelled incorrectly and A & S H (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) rather than Gordon Highlanders.