200435 L.-Cpl. William Alcorn, 4/5th Black Watch, was one of a number of local men killed in action on 14 October 1916.
‘Wee Willie’ was lodging with Mrs Traynor, 2 Blackness Road, when he enlisted.
He was reported missing but his body was evidently recovered, and he is buried in Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme, France.

“AN INTENSE ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT.” Lance-Corporal William Alcorn, of the Black Watch, is reported missing, and a letter has been received from a comrade by Mrs Traynor, 2 Blackness Road, Dundee, with whom Lance-Corporal Alcorn resided. The writer says: – “It is with a sad heart that I have to tell you wee Willie Alcorn is missing. Our company were in a battle on the 14th, and he was seen to fall with a bad wound on the shoulder after he had gone about twenty yards forward from our trench, but no one saw anything of him after that. I am afraid that in the intense artillery bombardment that went on he must have been struck by a shell. If any news of him comes in we will let you know at once, but I fear I can hold out no hope. He was a dear laddie.”
Lance-Corporal Alcorn, who was about 23 years of age, was formerly employed in Queen Victoria Works. The Courier, Monday, 30 October 1916, 4.