Proncynain Cemetery, Dornoch
From the Dornoch War Memorial the Proncynain Cemetery is three-quarters of a mile north on the B1968 Poles Road, at OS Grid Ref:NH 788 909.
There are three Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves in the cemetery.
Just inside the cemetery gates on the right hand side are two graves to Commonwealth servicemen, Driver Ghulam Nabi and Naik (Corporal) Abdul Rakhman Royal Indian Army Service Corps Force K-6 Animal Transport (AT). There was an RIASC Reinforcement Unit stationed in Dornoch, in hutted accommodation near the Dornoch Hotel and Earls Cross, with a Mule Company based at one time at Lonemore.
The graves of both men, who were Muslims, are at an angle facing Mecca and there is a civilian Muslim grave beween them. Both servicemen died from tubercolosis with their deaths registered in Dornoch. Dvr Ghulam Nabi died in the Dornoch Hotel, which was being used as an Indian Garrison Hospital.
Mule Companies were stationed in Wales and Scotland for hill training for a possible landing with pack animals in Norway (for further details go to the Historylinks Archive and enter 11122 in the Search box)
Graves
Ghulam Nabi
Nationality: Indian
Rank: Driver
Regiment/Service: Royal Indian Army Service Corps
Age: 24
Date of Death: 28/09/1943
Service No: 179422
Additional information: Son of Khair Din and Said Jan, of Dhir Kot, Hazara, Pakistan. Died in the Dornoch Hotel which was being used as an Indian Garrison Hospital.
DORNOCH (PRONCYNAIN) CEMETERY Sec. G. Grave 1
Abdul Rakhman
Nationality: Indian
Rank: Naik (Corporal)
Regiment/Service: No. 7 Mule Company Royal Indian Army Service Corps
Age: 37
Date of Death: 01/01/1944
Service No: 26929
Additional information: Son of Ali Bahadur, of Butigaram (Siri Kote), Hazara, Pakistan; husband of Rakhim Jan, of Butigaram.
DORNOCH (PRONCYNAIN) CEMETERY Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G. Grave 2.
William John Matheson
Rank: Private
Number 2822960
Regiment: 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Died: 17.04.1942 aged 21
Parents: Son of William and Amelia Matheson, of Ospisdale Muir
Buried DORNOCH (PRONCYNAIN) CEMETERY Sec. C. Grave 84
[Private Matheson's name is not included on the War World 2 plaque of the Dornoch War Memorial]