Hi Laurie, I've had a quick look in the 1891 census index for you (its the latest I have to hand at the moment), and there is a RICE family in the area then. From first impressions it looks like James & Margaret both aged 31 with children James aged ?months and Duncan aged 2. They're in Wick, district 043, enumeration district 008, pages 33 & 34. If Cecil was in his twenties during the war he may well have been a member of the family. I would suggest looking at the 1891 census and perhaps the 1901 census for the same area, this may give you Cecil on the 1901 with an approx year to sart looking for births, marriage etc. Good luck, sounds intriguing! Regards Sara Donaldson Genealogical researcher in Caithness www.members.aol.com/sjdancestry/home.htm