Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John Gault was born on 31 August 1892, and was the oldest son of James and Janet (Jessie) Gault, 2 King Street, Lossiemouth. He was one of six children. He enlisted at Elgin on 15 September 1914, and joined the 2/6 (Morayshire) Battalion Seaforth Highlanders; his occupation was given as a marine engineer.

As part of the 2/6 Battalion he was based in East Anglia, (Norwich, Holt & Cromer), around the time he signed the visitors’ book on 3 July 1916. He served in France, probably from 1917 after his Battalion was disbanded and absorbed into the 4th Battalion.  He died aged 26 in the military hospital, Ripon, on 17 May 1918. It is understood by his family that he died from meningitis.

John is buried in Lossiemouth Cemetery alongside his brother James. James died of his wounds in Haslar Hospital, Portsmouth, a few weeks later aged 18 years, on 1st July 1918. His mother, father and sister, Helen, are also buried with him.

Mary Jane Gault, his other sister, is buried in the next row facing the family headstone.

We are grateful to Inside Moray’s article on our project which prompted a response from John’s great niece, who was able to provide us with further information and a photograph which shows John Gault.  http://bit.ly/2n6F3V6

Gallery photographs kindly provided by Shelia Forbes showing descendants of John Gault in front of Lossiemouth War Memorial.