The War Years
1939-1946
Ross County played 4 Games in season 1939-1940.
The Highland League started to go in Abeyance on 25th September 1939.
Monday 2nd October 1939 a Meeting was held and
The Emergency Highland League was formed.
Ross County, Caledonian FC., Inverness Thistle, Clachnacuddin,
Nairn County, Forres Mechanics and a Military Eleven.
A week later the Military became 2 service teams
Army XI & R.A.F. XI.
The Emergency Highland League only lasted one season.
All through 1939-1940 season Victoria Park was well used.
Dingwall Academy regulary used Victoria Park and the park was used for many Charity Matches.
Dingwall Juniors also utilised Victoria Park.
In July 1940 news was coming through about Ross County footballers.
Private James (Rossie) MacMahon, Seaforth Highlanders was noted Missing.
Also Missing Cameron MacKenzie, Seaforth Highlanders.
Angus McRitchie, Seaforth Highlanders, Missing.
Home on Leave L/Cpl. James Campbell, Black Watch, he was at Dunkirk.
Sergeant Hector Stewart, Seaforth Highlanders, reported as hospitalised in England having suffered gunshot wounds in his foot.
Private James Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders, Missing.
Lieut. Albert Macrae, Royal Artillery, Missing,
Cameron MacKenzie, was reported as a P.O.W.
Sergeant Donald K. MacDonald, Seaforth Highlanders, P.O.W.
News came through that Lieut. Macrae and Pt. James MacMahon were in German P.O.W. camp.
Carlo Simpson, Royal Artillery, he had served in the 1st World War also was home on leave.
Donald Garrow, R.A.F. was discharged from the R.A.F. in July 1941.
Three Murray brothers from Invergordon, all Seaforth Highlanders, two of them played for Ross County. Corporal William Murray and Private Murdo Murray, P.O.W.
Pte. James Sutherland, Seaforth Highlanders, was noted as a P.O.W.
Pte. James MacMahon, was in Germany Stalag XXA 7.
L/Corp. Thomas Grant, Camerons, was home on leave in September 1941, also home on leave AC William Mackenzie, Private R Corbett and Lieut. George Lobban, Camerons.
News was also received, from Pte. W MacBain, that Ogie Munro, had been moved from Stalag XXI.
At the end of October home on leave RAF AC Thomas Urquhart, Corporal Carlo Simpson, Air Commodore William Bowie and Gunner Paul Grant.
A few months later Duncan Bowie, RAF, was home on leave.
L/Crpt. Alan Forsyth, Seaforth Highlanders, home on leave. Another Forsyth involved in the war was AC Adam Forsyth RAF.
LAC William Mackenzie R.A.F.
Took ill while serving and despite a successful operation
Died 22nd January 1942.
Interred in Mitchell Hill Cemetery, Dingwall.
Sergt. Ackie MacKay, Royal Artillery, Gnr Paulo Grant, Royal Artillery, and L/Crpl. D. Urquhart, Seaforth Highlanders, all home on leave.
In April 1943 Flying Officer Ewan Gillies of 254 Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also awarded a further Bar to the Cross in January 1945.
Lieutenant William Annifred Fraser served with HQ Company
3rd Parachute Battalion and took part in
The Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.
Lieutenant Fraser Died 20th September 1944. He is now
Buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.
The War in Europe ended early May 1945, and all P.O.W. came home shortly after.
On the 18th July 1945 a meeting was held in Dingwall for those interested in reviving the Ross County Football Club. Bailie Alexander Macrae, President of the Fire Brigade Club, presided.
Since taking over the club in February 1943 the Fire Brigade Club had spent £155 on upkeep and maintenance of the Football Club`s Property. The Fire Brigade Club recognised the difficulties they would have running a football club and put forward that they were willing to fund the running of the club, within reason, for the first full year.
They had much work to accomplish before handling over the property back to the club. They proposed to put in new spray baths into the premises and erect an iron pipe railing around the Park, along with completing a number of required repairs. Hoping to do this they wished to hand the field, stand and dressing rooms over to the Football Club free from debt.
Not wishing to have anything to do with the running of the football club they proposed the formation of a Ross County FC Management Committee to get a team together for the coming season. The club had been registered with the SFA and paid their fees allowing them to enter all competitions sanctioned by the governing body.
The following key appointments were made. Chairman Mr. Stewart McCulloch, Conon, Vice Chairman Mr. D.J. Murchison, Invergorgon, Secretary Mr. F. MacLennan, Dingwall, Treasurer Mr. Lloyd G. Bremner, Dingwall (my Father) Committee Members Mr. James W. Deas, Dingwall, Mr. John Mackay, Dingwall, Mr. M. Fanning, Dingwall, Mr. Alex Brett, Dingwall, Mr. A.W.Shepherd, Dingwall, Rev. William C. Gow, Dingwall, Mr. William Morrison, Mr. William Shearer, Mr. Angus MacRae, Mr. Simon MacKay, and Bailie MacRae.
Ross County played in the North of Scotland League in season 1945-1946.
The Highland League started again in 1946-1947.
Thanks to Alan Cameron