Muchty Remembers

Born: 31 January 1882, Crosshills, Auchtermuchty, Fife.

Son of Andrew Clark, Dunshelt, and Helen Crawford, Kingskettle.

Army Number: S/3594

Rank: Private

Regiment: 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.

Died: Died of wounds in France, 29 November 1915. Age not known. (32)

Buried: Buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph.

 

Francis Dick was born 31 January 1882, at Crosshills, Auchtermuchty, the tenth of eleven children of John Dick, born 1833, Auchtermuchty, and Isabella Dick, born 1841, Auchtermuchty, linen and wool draper.

In 1891 John Dick was living in Crosshills, Auchtermuchty, linen and wool draper, with his wife and seven of his eleven children, including Francis, 8, a scholar. The latter’s brothers James, 23, Andrew, 17, and John, 17, were iron moulders, working at Ferlie & Son, Fife iron Works, Auchtermuchty.

In 1901 John Dick was living at Low Road, a draper and gardener, with his wife, and four children, Andrew, 29, iron moulder, Mary, 20, Francis, 19, joiner, and Fanny, 18.

In 1911 John Dick was a retired general merchant, living in Low Road, with his wife. They had been married 45 years and all 11 of their children were alive. Living with them were Andrew, 39, iron moulder, John, 35, Wasteen Companyman, (?) Lilias, 32, draper and milliner on her own account, with her sister Mary, 32, Francis, 29, a draper traveller, and Fanny, 27, a parlour maid, domestic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1881 John Dick was living in Crosshills, with his wife Isabella and the eldest nine of their eleven children. John Dick does not appear with his family in 1871.

John Dick was the oldest son of James Dick, born 1806, Auchtermuchty, handloom weaver, and Janet, born 1811. In 1851 John Dick was living in the High Street, Auchtermuchty, with his wife and five children, including John, 12, a handloom weaver. In 1861 James Dick, linen weaver, was living in Crosshills "Ks", Auchtermuchty, with his wife Janet, and four children, John, 21, linen weaver, James, 17, apprentice beam and balance maker, Andrew, 13, linen weaver and Francis, 10, at school.

 

"Cupar District Roll of Honour.

Alexr Bontrhone, farmer, Auchtermuchty, to Scots Greys

John Eric Thomson, manufacturer, Auchtermuchty, to Scots Greys

Frank Dick, Auchtermuchty, to Seaforth Highlanders

James P. Henderson, Auchtermuchty, to Seaforth Highlanders."

Fife Herald, 9 September 1914.

 

Frank Dick, now a joiner, was the first man from Auchtermuchty to enlisted, at Kinloch, Fife, before 9th September 1914. He joined 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. He served with James P Henderson and Andrew Christie. He was at the Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915.

 

"KILLED IN ACTION - Last week Mrs Christie, Crosshills, received word through another Auchtermuchty soldier, Private Frank Dick, that her son, Private Andrew Christie, had fallen badly wounded. As this had taken place during a charge, Dick had lost trace of him. Private Dick was himself wounded, but is already out of hospital." Fife News.15 October 1915.

Farnk Dick returned to the trenches was wounded again in October 1915.

Frank Dick died of wounds at Rouen, France, on 29 November 1915.

THE TOLL OF THE WAR. Private Frank Dick, of the 8th Seaforth Highlanders, is the sixth man from this Parish to lay down his life in the great war. As we reported a week or two ago, he was severely wounded in the head, and no later than Tuesday morning his parents received a cheery letter from himself, stating that he was progressing. The same afternoon, however, they received a telegram intimating his death. Private Dick was perhaps the first from the parish to volunteer after the commencement of the war, and he was unfortunate enough to have his leg broken when his Company was about to proceed to the front. Agaian, at the attack upon Loos, when three 'Muchty men fell, he was wounded, a bullet lodging in his chest. Private Dick made a rapid recovery, and was soon back in the trenches, but in the end of October he received a wound from which he died. For quite a number of years he played for the Auchtermuchty Bellevue Football Club. Strong, agile, and loose-limbed, he played a sterling game at back. With a rare turn of speed he never admitted defeat though an opponent might pass him with the ball. By doggedly hanging on to his man, he often saved his side from disaster. Of a cheery disposition he was a general favourite, and the news of his death has cast quite a gloom over the community. Fife News, 4th December 1915.

"AUCHTERMUCHTY SEAFORTH DIES OF WOUNDS

"Intimation was received in Auchtermuchty yesterday that private Francis Dick, 2d Seaforth Highlanders, youngest son of Mr John Dick, Crosshills, Auchtermuchty, had died in hospital in France as the result of wounds he received in action.

"Private Dick was wounded at the battle of Loos, but made a speedy recovery. In the subsequent fighting he was wounded in the head. Private Dick, who was about 34 years of age and a joiner to trade, was the first recruit from Auchtermuchty parish to join Kitchener's Army. He was a member of the local bowling club, and used to be a prominent player in the Bellevue Football Club." Dundee Courier, 2nd December 1915