Muchty Remembers

Born: 1891, Newhill, Auchtermuchty.

Son of Thomas and Jane Blyth, Newhill, Auchtermuchty.

Army Number: S/10718

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: 8th (Service) Battalion Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch).

Died: Killed in Action, France, 30 June 1916. Aged 25.

Buried: Maroeuil British cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot 11, Row H, Grave 8.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph.

 

James Blyth, born 1891, was the son of Thomas Blyth, born 1852, farmer at Newhill Farmhouse.

In 1911 James Blyth was an agricultural student, living with his sister Marjory, 28, living on private means, [scored out] in 2 roomed Newhill Cottage between Wester Pitmenzie and Pitmenzie.

Thomas Blyth, born 1851, Auchtermuchty, in 1881 was at Newhill, farming 353 and 260 acres arable, employing 3 men, 3 women and 1 boy, was living with his wife Jane, born 1853, Abernethy, and two young sons, David and John D.

In 1891, Thomas and his wife had five children, including James S, 2 months old.

In 1901 Thomas was a widower, living with his daughters Marjory, 18, Elizabeth, 16, and James G, 10. Thomas died before 1911.

 

Thomas was the second son of David Blyth, born Falkland, 1816, at Reedileys farm, 215 arable employing 7 men. He was living with his wife Elizabeth Gardiner, and their young sons James and Thomas, aged 3 months. In 1861 David Blyth was at Leckiebank Farm, farming 317 acres and employing 7 men and 1 boy. He was living with his wife and five children. In 1871 David Blyth was living at Leckiebank Farm Mansion, farming 100 and 530 acres, employing 14 men, 5 boys and 8 women. He was living with his wife Elizabeth Gardiner, and their five children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Blyth enlisted on 10 February 1915, the same day as John Muir, Leslie, a baker, who joined the Army Service Corps.

The 8th (Service) Battalion The Black Watch was mobilised for War on 10 May 1915 and landed at Boulogne. It was at the Battle of Loos in 1915.

James Blyth was posted to 8th Battalion The Black Watch in May 1916 and sent to France.

James Blyth died on 30 June 1916, at the start of the Battle of Albert, the day before the Somme offensive. He was buried at Maroeuil British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

CASUALTIES - Information has been received of the death at the front of Private James Blyth, farmer, Newhill. Blyth had only been out for a few weeks. He belonged to the 8th Black Watch. Fife News. July 1916