Name :-   McLagan, James

Nationality :-   UK

Age :-   21

Rank :-   Ordinary Seaman

Number :-  C/JX 299911

Service :-   Royal Navy

Regiment / ship :-  H.M.S. Achates

Date of death :-   31st December 1942

Cemetery / Memorial :-   Chatham Navel Memorial, Kent, England

Area of cemetery / memorial :-   Panel 57 3

Family information :-   Son of Alexander McLagan and Margaret Cuthbert Grant McLagan, 13, MacDonald Crescent, Rattray

A week before joining the Navy, James had finished his painters apprenticeship with his grandfather, Mr. James McLagan, of Perth Street, Blairgowrie.

He was a keen sportsman, and as well as being a keen putter, he was also a member of the Our Boys and Spitfires, local juvenile football teams.

H.M.S. Achates was part of a fleet of destroyers which was escorting a convoy bound for North Russia when it was attacked and sunk by two German warships, the 'Lutzov' and the 'Hipper' in the Barents Sea.