John Bruce Cairnie

John Bruce Cairnie, born of September 22, 1889 in Thurso, Caithness, was the son of David Dandie Cairnie, and Mary Bruce Wilson. He attended the Miller Institute in Thurso, and later to Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.A. in 1911 and B.Sc. in 1912. He then attended teacher' college.
In October 1917 he sailed to join the 3/4 King's Arican Rifles as a lieutenant. He kept a diary from then on until January 1919 as he sailed for home.


JANUARY 1915


Company drill from 9:30 to 1 p.m. It would get rather feding up if we had much of it. An hour of 'cross-tig' relieved the monotony. In the afternoon, bayonet fighting for NCOs, and then a lecture by Sergt-Major. Very busy all evening and got up to orderly room by 11:30.


26 Jan 15

Platoon drill and bayonet fighting this morning with pack and ammunition. Two of 'C' Company with about 20 others left this afternoon with ammunition and blankets for unknown destination. Everybody much excited and much speculation as to where they are going to and what it may mean for the battalion. Rumours of Edinburgh Castle or Inverness.

After afternoon parade I found myself and 2 of 'C' detailed to go on similar duty. Russell was picked and Jim Matheson. We paraded in 15 minutes, expecting great things and feeling very big. It turned out to be picket duty at Herring Green crossroads with orders to stop all cars and take number, etc. This result of last Zeppelin raid as the airships are thought to have been guided by cars with powerful headlights.

We barricaded the road with carts and took turns - 2hours on and 4 hours off. Not very exciting and very cold, but more exciting than platoon drill. My first experience at sleeping out and none too pleasant, but I think it wouldn't kill me.

08 Mar 15

Running drill at 7:15. Very cold, and snowing slightly. George not on duty yet as he was inoculated on Saturday. Company drill was cancelled and battalion went out for a route march - Milton Ernest, Filimousham, Pavenham, Stevington and Oakley. A splendid day for marching - cold and bracing and blinks of warm sun between the showers of small snow. The buds are on the hedges. The Company marched well today, and with a little care on the part of some NCOs - especially Laurie and M'Adie we would have a good marching coy.

Dinner at 3 p.m.: afternoon tea in the park and then again in 21. 'M' arrived this morning to Ian's discomfiture who was in Gwyneth’s bedroom at the time. He has come from China to join. It will be interesting to watch developments.

31 Dec 15

Was in the orderly room in the forenoon and afternoon. It commenced raining after tea. The battalion came out of the trenches tonight and therefore we are back to the big mess opposite the Church. Col. Land ? of the 2/4 D.o.W. is with the battalion on a 4 days tour. He was at dinner. The Dukes are reported to be going to the 32nd Division and are very fed up.

Nobody seemed to intend to sit up till 12 so I retired to my bed in the little room above the Post Office where I am now sitting writing this up. Twelve o'clock has just struck and a feeble bell is ringing: There has been some cheering and singing of Auld Land Syne up by the Church and the artillery have just blazed away their New Years greeting as had been pre-arranged.

Last year we were masquerading in the High St Bedford. Where will we be the next?