Major James Gray MacIndoe

James MacIndoe was born in 1870 on the Isle of Bute, which is in the western islands of Scotland. His family lived in the town of Rothesay, which is the main town on the isle. Their address is listed as 13 Argyll Street. The 1871 census was taken shortly after the death of James’ father and the family are living with their aunt, Mary McRae, in her house. James’ mother is Susan MacIndoe, who was born in Rothesay, is 26 years old in this census. She had a second child, Alan, who is 3 years old. Mary McRae’s sister, Janet, and brother-in-law, Thomas, also reside in the premises. Thomas’ profession as a “physician and surgeon” gives us a clue to James’ future occupation. There are also two domestic servants living in the household, both of whom are local to Rothesay.

The family would move around a great deal. By 1881 the family are still found in Scotland, but their address is now St Bridges Terrace, Dryfesdale, which is close to Lockerbie. They’ve moved in with Susan’s brother, James, who is a General Practitioner in the local area. Although Susan has no profession listed, it is noted that she is an ‘annuitant’, which likely means that she is receiving her deceased husband’s death pension. James, who is now 11 years old, is the only one of her children living at the property and he is listed as a scholar. There are also three servants resident: Margaret Currie, acting as a cook, Mary Robertson, a housemaid and Robert Deans, a coachman.

In 1883 James MacIndoe began studying at the prestigious George Watson’s Boys’ College in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. He would go on to study medicine at Edinburgh University from 1887 to 1892 and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine (M.B C.M).

The 1891 census still has the family living in Edinburgh; they’ve moved again to Warrender Park Road in the St Cuthbert area. James’ mother is still the head of the household and living by private means. At this point James is noted as being a student of medicine. Interestingly, his sister, Janet, 24, of whom we’ve seen no previous mention, is also living at this address. The household is completed by a domestic servant, Agnes Hall.

In 1899 James marries local girl, Lucy Sutcliff, the sister of Captain Archibald Sufcliff who was another Torrington soldier to serve in the Great War and who was also the town’s GP. At the turn of the century, they can be found living together with their domestic servant, Agnes Saunders; their address is in New Street. James’ occupation is recorded as a ‘physician and surgeon’. He served a number of roles in the local community, most notably as a General Practitioner in the town. He originally came to the town as an assistant to Dr Sutcliffe and since his death carried it on alone. In addition, he was the medical officer for the town’s Workhouse and public vaccinator for the Great Torrington and High Bickington Districts. As well as medical duties, James also took up positions in the community such as serving on the Town Council. He was also noted as being an excellent lawn bowler and served as the President of the town’s club; he also played in the team that won the County Shield. In 1913 the couple had their only child, a boy who they named James Legrand.

James was involved in the Territorial Army and was given his first commission in 1900 at the rank of Captain. He became attached to the 6th Devonshire Battalion when the Territorial Army was formed in 1908 serving as their Medical Officer.

For the 1911 census, their address is listed as ‘Morton’, Great Torrington, which is near the then newly built Cottage Hospital. Their 9 year old nephew, Edward Moncrieff, lives with them, as does their servants, Maud Pantol, who is a house maid, and Annie Cooke, who is a cook.

James was actually at camp with the Royal Army Medical Corps when war broke out in 1914 and was actively involved in the training of the 6th Devons who would later be stationed in India. Although there is no record of his exact condition, the Captain’s health was failing at this time and he was not able to accompany his regiment overseas. Despite this, he continued to work in the training of soldiers and attained the rank of Major.

In September 1916 his condition deteriorated as grave symptoms appeared and he was forced to give up his military duties, he passed away shortly after on the 5th October of that year. As testament to his character, the North Devon Journal provided great detail of the high numbers of mourners and floral tributes at his funeral, which included all areas of the community. He is buried in the Great Torrington Cemetery. Although I’ve been unable to contact any descendants of Major MacIndoe, I have been able to locate the above image.

Further to posting the Major's story on the Great Torrington Remembers' Facebook page, local man, Roy Allen, kindly sent me the below image of two photos of the Major.