http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1621285/McARTHUR,%20GAVIN%20WATSON
Reporting Gavin’s death Buxton advertiser 5th January 1918
Still another of our brave men have made the great sacrifice. We refer to Lance-Corporal McArthur of Midland terrace, Fairfield Road, Buxton who has been reported missing since July 31st. In a letter received this week Pte W H Stanley writes ” The Germans counter attacked us on July 1st about midday. We were standing in a ‘Pill Box’ when we had orders to advance. As soon as we got in the open Lance Corporal McArthur shouted ‘Come on, my section, then a few seconds afterwards he dropped with a bullet through his head. I can assure you he suffered no pain, and his death was instantaneous. Lance Corporal McArthur joined the Gordon Highlanders in November 1914, but was transferred to the 7th Camerons in may last.
Gavin Watson McArthur: The 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in September 1914 and moved to Aldershot for training in November, joining 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the 13th of January 1915. They moved into billets at Liphook in January 1915, then to Cirencester in February, Chisledon in April, then Tidworth in May. They proceeded to France on the 9th of July 1915 and landed at Boulogne. They saw action at the The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, – See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/cameronhighlanders7-gw.php#sthash.ovwoNq5i.dpuf
Born: 1880 17th June Strathaven Lanarkshire the eldest son of Colin Alexander and Elizabeth McArthur.
1901 Census: Living with parents in 49 Milton Park, Lesmahagon, Lanarkshire. He had five younger siblings 4 sisters Lizzie, Mary, Agnes, Nellie and a brother Colin. Gavin aged 22yrs gave his occupation as an Assurance Agent.
1911 Census: Living at ‘Lesma’33 Heath Grove, Buxton as a Boarder.
with Joseph and Martha Sellers. Gavin’s occupation given as a Tailor Maker.
1913: Marriage to Edith Adams (O/N/D Qtr Chapel-en-le-Frith Volume 7b Page 1852).
1917: Address 11 Midland Terrace Fairfield Road.
Military: Service 7401 Gordon Highlanders. Tr/1/16224, 42nd T .R.Battalion.