MORE FAMILY INFORMATION - James had 6 brothers - Archie McKee (14/01/1893 - 22/03/1983), George John McKee (25/03/1894 - 20/04/1968), Andrew McKee (26/01/1896 - 31/03/1898), Andrew Campbell McKee (02/10/1898 - 01/03/1980), John William (Bill) McKee (06/08/1906 - 31/07/1981), Thomas (Tommy) Russell Black McKee (20/04/1912 - 05/12/1964) plus 6 sisters - Isabella McKee (24/06/1900 - 03/10/1988), Agnes Campbell McKee (17/03/1902 - 22/10/1988), Jean Shirlaw McKee (06/04/1903 - 1963), Helen C McKee (17/04/1905 - 20/03/1990), Florence Nightingale McKee (30/08/1913 - 15/01/1986) and Edith Cavell McKee (19/11/1916 - 16/05/2007). The Airdrie News in 2000 states James had 8 brothers and 9 sisters (see photos). James' sister Edith was named after the nurse who bravely saved lives and helped Allied soldiers escape from German occupied Belgium. This link tells her story - https://edithcavell.org.uk/. JAMES' STORY - The 2nd Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. James died of serious wounds to his chest and face received around the time of the Cambrai operations (Battle of Cambrai), 20th November - 30th December 1917 : A British attack, originally conceived as a very large scale raid, that employed new artillery techniques and massed tanks. Initially very successful with large gains of ground being made, but German reserves brought the advance to a halt. Ten days later, a counter-attack regained much of the ground. Ultimately a disappointing and costly outcome, but Cambrai is now seen by historians as the blueprint for the successful "Hundred Days" offensives of 1918. James was awarded the Military Medal on the 18/10/1917 for bravery in the field. James was a member of the Coatbridge Prize Silver Instrumental Band with his brother Archie. When James' brothers Archie and George met the recruiter for the Lanarkshire Yeomanry he said the name McKee was too Irish so they were given the name Mackie which they used thereafter. A huge thank you to Helen Mackie Parker who lives in North Carolina and who is the daughter of Archie McKee for all the family information (see photos for James and his family). Also see photos for an article from the Airdrie News in 2000 describing the history of this amazing family, the majority moved to Canada in 1923. Main Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. James is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church, East United Free Church with his 2 brothers, 1st Boys Brigade with his 2 brothers and Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 6, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, James' Pension Record, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, a photo of his father George and 6 sons, the Military Medal x 2, Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, another photo of James' Grave and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge.
