Strathnaver Museum
Source: https://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/current-projects/pibrochs-and-poppies/william-mackay
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:30
Strathnaver Museum
William Mackay was born in Durness on the 2
nd
February 1897.
William in a letter home to his Mother describes his first experience of going ‘’over the bags’’ during the first day of the Battle of Arras. His Battalion the 6
th
Seaforth Highlanders were tasked with attacking three lines of enemy trenches east of Roclincourt.
The Battle of Arras, 9
th
April to 16
th
May 1917, was a British offensive involving British, Canadian, South African, New Zealand, Newfoundland and Australian troops in an attack on German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front.
William was in “C” Company which was deployed on the right of the advancing line and contributed towards the capture of the first two German lines.
Despite major gains on this first day the remainder of the Battle of Arras resulted in stalemate. On the final day of the battle William was involved in fierce fighting around the Chemical Works in Roux.
On the last day of the battle on the 16
th
May German troops began to advance through the Chemical Works and had taken an Allied trench. “C” and “D” Company were ordered to push the advancing soldiers back and it was during fierce fighting around the Chemical Works that William was killed.
Accounts of the fighting from 1
st
April to 31st May are detailed in the 6
th
Battalion Seaforth Highlanders War Diary which is on display.
Read more about William and his fellow pipers in our 32-page booklet
Buy it now on
Our Publications
page
Pibrochs and Poppies Project
Facebook page
Pibrochs and Poppies Project
Twitter feed
Fèis air an Oir
Heritage Lottery Fund: then and now
Museums Galleries Scotland
Feis survey
William Mackay was born in Durness on the 2
nd
February 1897.
William in a letter home to his Mother describes his first experience of going ‘’over the bags’’ during the first day of the Battle of Arras. His Battalion the 6
th
Seaforth Highlanders were tasked with attacking three lines of enemy trenches east of Roclincourt.
The Battle of Arras, 9
th
April to 16
th
May 1917, was a British offensive involving British, Canadian, South African, New Zealand, Newfoundland and Australian troops in an attack on German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front.
William was in “C” Company which was deployed on the right of the advancing line and contributed towards the capture of the first two German lines.
Despite major gains on this first day the remainder of the Battle of Arras resulted in stalemate. On the final day of the battle William was involved in fierce fighting around the Chemical Works in Roux.
On the last day of the battle on the 16
th
May German troops began to advance through the Chemical Works and had taken an Allied trench. “C” and “D” Company were ordered to push the advancing soldiers back and it was during fierce fighting around the Chemical Works that William was killed.
Accounts of the fighting from 1
st
April to 31st May are detailed in the 6
th
Battalion Seaforth Highlanders War Diary which is on display.
Read more about William and his fellow pipers in our 32-page booklet
Buy it now on
Our Publications
page
Pibrochs and Poppies Project
Facebook page
Pibrochs and Poppies Project
Twitter feed
Fèis air an Oir
Heritage Lottery Fund: then and now
Museums Galleries Scotland
Feis survey