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The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library Family Tree
The Family Tree - February/March 2004
World War I Military Cross presented to Clan Urquhart


World War I Military Cross presented to Clan Urquhart
Clan Urquhart had the good fortune recently of acquiring for its permanent collection the silver George V Military Cross which was awarded to Captain Lewis Urquhart, 6th Battalion, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in September 1918.

Lewis Urquhart, whose home was in Inverness, joined the Scots Greys when the First World War broke out. His great ability earned him a commission in the King's Own Scottish Borderers where he was promoted to Captain. During an attack in Belgium in September 1918, Captain Urquhart was badly wounded in the leg. In spite of his wound, he led his company to the objective assigned to it and only allowed himself to be assisted to the field hospital after he was sure that his men were safely dug in at their new position. For his conspicuous gallantry and "fine pluck and devotion to duty," he was awarded the Military Cross, one of Britain's highest military awards.

Captain Urquhart's Military Cross was offered for sale on e-bay, the internet auction website, in June 2003. The Chief and his Senachie, Robert Jeffrey Urquhart, decided that this historic Urquhart artifact was of such exceptional interest and value to the Clan that every effort should be made to acquire it. The provided the necessary financial backing for Robert Jeffrey Urquhart to make the successful bid for the Military Cross. They then asked the Clan Urquhart foundation to acquire it for the Clan. The Foundation voted to do this at its Annual Meeting in July. Thus, though funds provided by the Foundation, a valuable Urquhart historical artifact has been added to the permanent collection of the Clan.

Roderick Mackenzie Urquhart OBE, MA, an original member (1982) of the United Kingdom Branch of Clan Urquhart Association, died on June 1, 2003.

Mr. Urquhart is the individual who single-handedly recorded every coat-of-arms of each county, burgh, town and community council in Scotland. His initial magnum opus Scottish Burgh and County Heraldy remains the standard text on Scotland's civic heraldy. No sooner was the work published in 1973, than local government reorganized two years later and Roddie's entire work had to be rewritten to cover nine regions, 53 district councils, and three island councils. Scottish Civic Heraldy was published in 1979.. In 1986, Scotland's Secretary of State further reorganized local government, thus creating for Roddie Urquhart the unexpected task of transforming his two works into a trilogy to cover the heraldy of 32 new councils.

Born on December 6, 1917 in Beauly, Inverness-shire, Mr. Urquhart was the son of local merchant, Colin Urquhart and his wife Helen, daughter of a Perthshire farm manager. A graduate of St. Andrew's University, Urquhart was appointed to the Colonial Service before returning to the UK at age 34 to become bursar of Sheffield University for 14 years from 1952. In 1966, he moved to Winchester, when he gained the post of secretary and registrar of Southampton University, serving there until retirement in 1978.. He was appointed OBE in 1968.

He was predeceased by his wife Christina and is survived by his children Mhoire, Lesley and Carol; grandsons Simon and Nicholas; and great-grandson Luke.

Richard William Bogarde (1946-2002) was a member of the Clan Urquhart Association since 2002. He was the son of Henry and Dora Bogarde and was born on July 14, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. He married Beth Urquhart on December 16, 1967 in Ketchin, Alaska. The couple shared their 35th wedding anniversary two days prior to his death. Rick can best be described as a truly supportive friend who was known to help whenever there was a need. A man whose life revolved around his family, he is sorely missed by his wife and the couple's two sons, Rick W., Jr., and Jeffrey Bogarde, and a daughter Rebecca Bogarde.

Majorie Louise Davis was a Clan Urquhart Association member since August 21, 1999 and a regular visitor to the Urquhart tent at the Games in Maine. She was married to George W. Davis and was a resident of Livermore, Maine. Majorie passed away in December of 2002. She is survived by a daughter, Deborah Davis Whalen; son-in-law, Tom Whalen; and a grandson.

John Rankin Urquhart (1921-2003) died on June 16, 2003. He was the son of Captain John Crammond Urquhart from Aberdeenshire. He was born on May 29, 1921 in Chelmsford, Essex. He attended King Edward VI School, Chelmsford and Emmanuel College, Cambridge University where he achieved a Master of Arts degree. He served in World War II from 1939-46. John was a member of Food Industry Council of Australia and a past chairman of the Grocery Manufactures of Australia. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling, fishing and gardening. He is survived by his wife "Siggi" Sigrid, nee Ohart, two daughters and two sons.

The Clan Urquhart Association extends its sincere sympathy to the following members who have lost relatives: Janet Ochs on the death of her stepson. Barbara Urquhart McCarthy and her husband on the death of his aunt.

Dr. Fred Urquhart, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, passed away. He was an internationally renowned pioneer in the field of insect migration and was awarded the Order of Canada, that nation's highest civilian honor. He dies just short of his 91st birthday.


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