The Great War Diaries of John Bruce Cairnie John Bruce Cairnie was born on 22 September 1889 in Thurso, Caithness, the third son of David Dandie Cairnie, a Chemist in the town, and Mary Wilson Bruce. His elder brothers were Robert, born 1886, David Dandie, born 1887. His sisters, Elizabeth and Mary were born in 1891 and 1898. He attended the Miller Institution in Thurso and Edinburgh University, where he graduated MA in 1911 and BSc in 1912. His interests were in Botany and Geology. He then attended teachers' training college. He enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders in September 1914. In October 1917 he sailed to join the 3/4th King's African Rifles with the rank of Lieutenant. His diary starts in 1915. He did not disclose the existence of the diary to his family during his lifetime, and therefore did not participate in the decision to make it public. His son and grandson have chosen to leave the text unmodified. The transcription of the diary for 1915 and 1916 was carried out by J A (Jock) Bruce who grew up in Thurso, Caithness and had set out to write a history of the 5th Seaforths in World War One. Because of the extensive research he had done he was able to provide insight into the persons and situations encountered by J B Cairnie, who, after all, had no idea he was writing for an audience other than himself. Mr Bruce's comments are asterisked through the text. Any comments should be addressed to (
[email protected]), or grandson, Bruce Cairnie (
[email protected]).