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100 years ago today in Moray Dallas War Memorial


By Alistair Whitfield

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LAST weekend a military escort came to Elgin from Fort George to arrest a military prisoner – James Williamson.

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They secured their man, but on going to the railway station found they had missed the last train and would have to remain in Elgin overnight. On their way back from the station Williamson broke away from the escort and made good his escape.

Search was made for him that night and the following day, but no trace could be found, and the escort had to return to Fort George without their prisoner.

On Sunday the Elgin police learned that Williamson had returned to his house and they picketed the property.

Williamson was recaptured and despatched to Fort George on Monday.

Away from this busy world, Dallas was in 1914 a quiet peace-loving country hamlet.

This War Memorial was ultimately built in Dallas. Pupils from the village's primary school are pictured honouring those who died in the conflict. Austin Davis and Eva Landy read out a poem in their memory. Photograph by Becky Saunderson.
This War Memorial was ultimately built in Dallas. Pupils from the village's primary school are pictured honouring those who died in the conflict. Austin Davis and Eva Landy read out a poem in their memory. Photograph by Becky Saunderson.

War was undreamt of, and then, like a bolt from the blue, came the outbreak of hostilities. Territorials donned their khaki, and marched to their depots.

Ominous-looking posters and proclamations were displayed at various parts of the village.

“Your King and Country need you.” How could any true-born son of Dallas resist such a call. Not one thought twice.

They all enlisted knowing they were going to fight in a good cause. Of the population of about seven hundred, one seventh rallied to the cause.

Of these, thirty-four have “gone west”.

And now that all the turmoil is over, what is more befitting than that the people of Dallas should do something to keep green in their memory thoughts of the brave young lads who fell fighting?

It is the firm resolve of the Dallas people to have a war memorial, but what form it will take has not yet been settled.


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