More about John D. Chalmers

John was the brother of Corporal Allan Linn Chalmers, 200127, 4/5th Black Watch, who was killed in action 26.09.1917

John emigrated to America in 1912, but returned home at some point. When war broke out he initially enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps. At wars end he returned to Dundee where he was employed as a foreman in the Jute Mills. He was also the Captain for many years of the 33rd Company, Boys Brigade.

John told a very sad story about missing seeing his younger brother Allan, when he was heading out of the line. He recalled the sections coming in and out of the line were screened from one another by huge partitions mage from hessian, but the men shouted over asking what battalion was there. Upon hearing that the Black Watch was going in, John shouted asking about Allan Chalmers, but was told that he had already headed up the line, He never saw Allan again. His brother was Cpl Allan Chalmers, 200127, 4/5th Black Watch who was killed in action, 26.09.1917.

Johns wife Charlotte was born in Sanday, Orkney in 1897 before moving to Dundee aged 4. Charlotte served as a Postwoman in  Dundee during the Great War. John and Charlotte were married in 1923 and had 4 sons. She was also involved with the 33rd Boys Brigade, being the leader of the Life Boys section.