In the quietest corner of Forvie NNR is a bridge. It spans the whole NNR, crossing the Ythan where the estuary mudflats narrow and are taken over by reedbeds. It is a beautiful, peaceful place, away from traffic, sheltered from the nagging wind that batters the rest of the reserve; a place to see kingfishers and roosting swallows, to hear redshank and overhead geese. So this makes it the perfect place to also read the bronze plaques fixed to the parapets that are memorials to those of the surrounding parish that died in the 1st and 2nd World War and remember.

The bridge was built in 1935. Before that a ferry, the Boat of Logie, took people across the river. The remains on the jetties and pilings can still be seen and the cottage on the east side is the former ferryman’s house.

The bridge was a long time in the making. It was 1820s that the parish of Logie Buchan first cojnsidered replacing the ferry with a bridge but little progress was made. It became more likely when in 1891 Miss Mary Cruden left a bequest of £35 “for behoof of the parish as maybe considered most beneficial”. Miss Cruden’s sister suggested that the money should “be appropriated for any scheme that may be set on foot for the erection of a bridge at Boat of Logie.” By 1919 the funds stood at £700 and a bridge and war memorial committee was formed. But it wasn’t until 1934, with the funds at £3000, that bridge building was started. Finally the bridge was opened in 1935, a fine achievement for a small community, with an opening ceremony that was one of the outstanding events of the parish.

There are only names on the war memorials and the stories of who they are and how they fell are not there. I found a little bit more information about these soldiers and have included it below.

Though I don’t know the full stories of these soldiers, I do know a bit of the story of my grandfather who fought in the 1st World War, was wounded, recovered, went back to the trenches and was wounded again. And I know the story of his brother, my great-uncle who fought and died leading his men during the same war. So that peaceful spot on Forvie NNR with its war memorial on the bridge over the Ythan, is where I think of them, and remember.

Details of some of the soldiers named on the Logie Buchan bridge war memorial.

Murray Alexander H Pte 201587 2nd Gordon Highlanders eAberdeen Killed in Action F & F 04-Oct-17 Tyne Cot Memorial M. R. 30 Panel 135 to 136

Mackie Robert Pte 4311 7th Gordon Highlanders b Logie Buchan e Aberdeen Age 22 Died of Wounds F & F 14-Oct-16 Son of Christina & the late Robert Mackie, Tipperty Croft, Logie Buchan, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Courcelles-Du-Bois Commuanl Cemetery Extension Fr 0133 Row A Grave 3 ADJ 23-10-16

Hardie Lewis John Pte 2234 5th Gordon Highlanders b Old Deer 24/03/1890 e Peterhead Age 26 Killed in Action F & F 13-Nov-16 Son of Margaret Hardie, Newark, Tipperty, Ellon, Aberdeenshire & the late George Hardie. Buchan Observer: 1914: Tipperty, Ellon. (Recruits). The Roll of Honour Vol III : Eldest son of Mr G Hardie : page 127. Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel Fr 1490 Row C Grave 65 ADJ 30-11-16 RoH Eldest son.

Gray Adam Pte 39450 16th Royal Scots b Logie Buchan e Aberdeen Age 40 Died of Wounds F & F 15-Apr-17 Son of the late Adam & Annie C Gray. Native of Nethermill, Birness, Logie Buchan. Listed under 16th Bn maybe 12th Bn. Etaples Military Cemetery Fr 0040 Plot XXII Row H Grave 9

Slessor George L/cpl 292169 7th Gordon Highlanders b Ellon e Peterhead Age 22 Killed in Action F & F 20-Nov-17 Son of Mrs I Slessor, Bridgefoot, Birness, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Orival Wood Cemetery, Flesquieres Fr 1498 Plot I Row D Grave 36 Ellon & Logie Buchan

Scott Thomas Hardy Cpl 33368 15th Royal Scots “D” Coy b Logie Buchan 07/04/1891 e Dundee Age 26 Killed in Action F & F 28-Apr-17 Son of the late Rev William Frank Scott & Henrietta Porteous (nee Hardy) Scott, St Andrews Manse, 11 Albany Terr; Dundee. The Roll of Honour Vol IV page 179: Grandson of the late Rev Thomas Hardy , of Foulis Wester. Educated Morrison’s Academy, Crieff Occ: Commercial Traveller. Roeux British Cemetery Fr 1194 Row C Grave 1

Guthrie Alexander Lt 32nd Royal Field Artillery “Y” TM Bty 1st HB Coull 23 Killed in Action F & F 12-Jul-17 Son of Rev William G Guthrie, & Mrs Mairia A Guthrie, Manse of Glass. City Roll of Honour: The Manse, Glass. Officers Book page 207. 1901 Census : 216: Logie Buchan: The Manse. 2/16. Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, St Georges B 173 Nieuport Mil Cem Mem 1 City Glass Logie Buchan & Town House

Guthrie Albert John Lt 5th Gordon Highlanders Age 25 Killed in Action F & F 30-Jul-16 Son of Rev William G Guthrie, & Mrs M A Guthrie, Manse of Glass. Officers Book page 242. Thiepval Memorial M. R. 21 Pier 15B & 15C ADJ 08/08/16 Glass Logie Buchan & Peterhead

Dean George Murray Lt 5th Gordon Highlanders Age 31 Killed in Action F & F 13-Sep-18 Husband of Margaret Dean, Rowan Cottage, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. Officers Book page 242. Voters 18/19 2nd Lt in Army (a) Station Rd; Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe Fr 0115 Plot IV Row E Grave 8 Ellon & Logie Buchan

References

http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB49669

 The Scottish Military Research Group – Commemorations Project Forum Index -> Aberdeenshire – Civic Memorials