Ian MacLennan

Bank: Commercial Bank of Scotland

Place of work: Thurso branch

Died: 15 June 1915

Ian Douglas MacLennan was born on 16 April 1894, the son of the Rev George Robert MacLennan, minister of Thurso, and his wife Barbara. He was educated at St James School and at George Watson's College, Edinburgh. In November 1911 he went to work for Commercial Bank of Scotland as an apprentice at its Thurso branch.

Outside work MacLennan was a territorial soldier, a member from 1911 of the Seaforth Highlanders. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he immediately volunteered for overseas service. In April 1915 he was promoted to Serjeant, and posted to France. He was killed in action at Festubert on 15 June 1915. He was 21 years old.

One of his comrades later wrote 'happiness was one of his great possessions, he was never downhearted. He was one to march with or to rest with, a man in a hundred to fight alongside, for he had the two essential qualities of a good comrade - great spirits, and ceaseless unselfishness. His death, like his life, was a glorious one, and I am sure that he met it as he met good and bad fortune alike - with a smile.'

Ian MacLennan is commemorated on a bank war memorial at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.