Booth, John Lyon
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Biography: Son of Alexander Booth, commercial traveller ; born Aberdeen, 10 September 1892 ; educated at Aberdeen Grammar School ; matriculated in Arts, 1910, entering the University as 7th Bursar; graduated M.A. 1914, with Second Class Honours in Classics, gaining distinction in Roman History. A time-expired Territorial he rejoined the Grammar School Company of the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders on 24 August 1914, leaving a post in journalism in order to do so. Crossing to France in March 1915, he was shortly afterwards sent to the Officers Training Corps at G.H.Q., whence he was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. Thereafter Booth's advancement was rapid. He rose to a substantive captaincy, and acted first as Officer Commanding, and then as Second in Command of his Battalion—surely a unique record for a Territorial of twenty-four in a line regiment. In November 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross. During those tense April days he fell at Paccut Wood, near La Bassée, 18 April 1918. Conscientious and resolute, he was an outstanding soldier and a steadfast friend.
Honours: Military Cross
Date of Death: 18 April 1918
Burial Details: Buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, Plot 3, Row H, Grave 2.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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