First World War Highland Light Infantry officer commemorated in France

The family and military party gather at the graveside of 2Lt John Taylor Macintyre (Crown copyright).

Family members from Australia, New Zealand and Scotland alongside military representatives gathered to honour Second Lieutenant John Taylor Macintyre of the Highland Light Infantry at a moving rededication ceremony.

The ceremony took place at CWGC Canadian Cemetery No.2, Vimy, France on 9 July 2025, over a century after he fell in battle during the First World War.

Second Lieutenant MacIntyre's final resting place had been identified through archival research by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), who organised the service where a new CWGC headstone bearing his name was unveiled.

JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:
"I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapter of the story of John Taylor Macintyre. Being able to rededicate his grave, with a new headstone bearing his name, and in the presence of his family is a very special occasion to be a part of. I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted the case which has brought us to this point."

The service for 2Lt Macintyre (Crown copyright).

Second Lieutenant Macintyre shipped out to France in November 1914, coincidentally on the same vessel as his brother Duncan, who served with the Cameronians. John spent the duration of his war on the Western Front, returning home only for brief periods of leave and to recuperate following a gas attack in the summer of 1917.

During that summer, the 18th Battalion Highland Light Infantry were rotating in and out of the front line near Lempire, on the edge of the Somme sector. The battalion was tasked with capturing and holding Guillemont Farm, and it was during one of many actions linked to this objective that John died on 25 August 1917. He was listed as wounded and missing following the engagement. In November 1931, the body of an unknown officer was recovered close to Guillemont Farm. His badges and buttons identified him as an officer of the 9th Highland Light Infantry, but he carried nothing that could identify him by name. He was reburied at Canadian Cemetery No.2 at Neuville St Vaast as an unknown officer. Recent research has conclusively identified this unknown soldier as John Taylor Macintyre. 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed a new headstone on the grave and will continue to care for it in perpetuity.

Katie Palmer, Records Officer at CWGC, said:
“It is an honour to have been involved in identifying Second Lieutenant MacIntyre, who now has a headstone bearing his name. As part of the identification process, we help the family choose a personal inscription, something which future generations of visitors can discover and connect with. It is our privilege to care for 2nd Lt MacIntyre's grave, in perpetuity."

John Taylor Macintyre, courtesy of his family, Lt Dickie White, representing the British Embassy, gives a reading (Crown copyright).

Second Lieutenant John Taylor MacIntyre

John Taylor Macintyre was born in Glasgow in 1889 to Duncan Macintyre, a clerk for the Gas Corporation, and his wife Catherine Gillespie. He was the oldest of six children, having a younger brother called Duncan, and four younger sisters – Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary and Janet. When John joined the army in early September 1914, he declared previous service with the reserves from 1905 – 1908. He was initially given the rank of Private but was quickly promoted – becoming a Corporal in August 1915, a Sergeant in November of that same year, and achieving his commission to Second Lieutenant in November 1916.