Born: April 17th 1909
Died: May 23rd 1940
Ian Keith was born in London, the third son of Hugh Mackay Matheson and his wife Katharine Isobel Arbuthnot.
He was educated at Eton and Matriculated in 1928. His address at that time was Little Scatwell, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire. He was descended from the Mathesons of Brahan.
After graduating in 1931, he joined the Scots Guards. He was gazetted Lieutenant on 30 January 1933. On 24 January 1935, he was appointed ADC to the Governor of Tasmania and promoted to Captain.
He married Jean Cecily Mary Grant of Rothiemurchus on 2 July 1935. They had one daughter in 1936. By this time, they were living at Cartbridge House, Broad Mead Road, Send in Surrey.
He was killed on 23 May 1940, the only member of the Scots Guards to be killed in the 1940 Campaign. He was attached to G.H.Q., B.E.F.
He is buried in the churchyard at Surcamps which is a village and commune about 25 kilometres north-west of Amiens. His, the only British grave in this churchyard is near the centre of the southern boundary hedge.
He is commemorated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and on a memorial plaque in St Anne's Scottish Episcopal Church, Strathpeffer, Ross shire.
The Metal Plaque on the wall near to the Altar states:
"In Memory of Katharine Isobel Matheson died 8 June 1942
And Ian Keith Matheson killed in action “
Altar vases were presented to the church by their Family.
In April 1942, his widow married his older brother, Patrick Hugh and they had further daughters.