Magnus Mackay was born on 13 February 1897 in Tongue, Scotland to Alexander and Isabella Mackay.

Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour, sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1.

Magnus Mackay lied about his age to enlist in the Army in Tongue in November 1914 aged sixteen, Magnus was transferred to the 13 Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Dorking in Surrey where he served with 'C' Company.

In March 1916, the Argyll & Sutherland Battalion were in reserve trenches, near Loos. On 18 March, enemy shellfire fell on the Argyll's positions. Private Magnus Mackay was one of the six sentries killed in a bomb store. He was buried in Loos village by his comrades. Magnus was the first of Alex ‘Bolt’ Mackay's sons to be killed.

After the First World War ended, he was recovered and reburied in CWGC Loos British Cemetery in plot IX.G.20.

Magnus Mackay is referenced in the book "Somewhere in Blood Soaked France" by Alasdair Sutherland.

Picture courtesy of Linda Brown, great niece of this soldier.