2nd Lieutenant William Duncan GULLOCH (308950)
2nd Battalion, Black Watch attached to the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers

Date of birth: 22nd May 1924
Date of death: 12th February 1944

Killed in action aged 19
Commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial Face 15
He was born Bonar Bridge, Sutherland on the 22nd of May 1924, the only son of William Sutherland Gulloch, the Chief of Police in Cyprus and Gibraltar and Dora (nee Duncan).

He was educated at the Dollar Academy in Scotland and at the King's School Canterbury from September 1937 to July 1941, where he was in Lattergate Waiting House and Walpole House. He was a house monitor, a school monitor and a scholar. He was also a promising lightweight boxer who boxed for the school on several occasions. He was a member of the Junior Training Corps, achieving Certificate A in the examinations of the 26th of May 1941.

He went on to St Andrew's University from 1941 to 1942, winning the Lawson Prize and was placed second for the year in his subject of English literature.

On leaving university he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Black Watch on the 20th of November 1943 and was attached to the 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers for service in Burma.

On the 12th of February 1944 William Gulloch led three British and one Indian soldier on a patrol. During the patrol the party was ambushed. He and two of his men were killed while the others managed to escape. One of those who escaped was Private 3189238 D. Miller 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers who made the following statement: -

"I was a member of a recce patrol which was sent out on 12th February 1944. The patrol consisted of 2/Lieut. Gulloch, L/C Horn, Pte. Davis, one L/Cpl of the B.I.C. and myself. During this patrol a shot was fired from about 20 yds and I saw Lt Gulloch fall. I do not know if he was hit. Another shot was fired and L/Cpl Horn was definitely shot. I think he was hit in the side. A third shot was fired and Pte. Davis was hit in the head. it appeared that we had been ambushed and the B.I.C. Bombardier and I thought it best to withdraw to Bn HQ where we reported what had happened. I cannot definitely say that Lt Gulloch and L/Cpl Horn were killed but I am of the opinion that Pte. Davis was."

A brother officer wrote:-

"I have known many good fellows, in and out of the Army, but for his great and noble quality, Duncan stood alone."

He is commemorated on the war memorial at the Dollar Academy.

Back