France trip to remember World War One Highland heroes on centenary of battle
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OLD soldiers from the North are travelling to France to remember the Highland heroes who were killed in the carnage of the Battle of Loos during World War I.
Members of the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Regimental Association have been invited to France to commemorate the centenary of the battle from October 8 to 12.
The Highland contingent will be part of a 40 strong group including members from the association’s branches in Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and Southern (England) making their way to the Loos battlefield to represent the Seaforth and Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders who fought in the battle in 1915.
In addition to their individual contributions, those travelling have been assisted with funding from the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association and a £400 donation from Legion Scotland (Royal British Legion Scotland)’s Ex-services Community Support Fund.
The Legion Scotland fund supports work that perpetuates remembrance, and helps veterans and their families in immediate financial need and can be used to establish a new branch or organise comradeship events.
Lt Col (Retired) Bob Towns, chairman of the Highland branch of the association and president of the Nairn Branch of Legion Scotland, said: "The Battle of Loos was a dark period in our history and it is important that we remember the sacrifices and heroism of those who wore the same tartan 100 years ago.
"Legion Scotland has been very supportive of the association, last year part funding a trip to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. The charity is extremely important to us all, and we’re very grateful to them for once again providing funds that will help us pay our respects not just to those directly connected to our regiment, but to the 30,000 Scottish soldiers who fought in the battle."
Kevin Gray, CEO of Legion Scotland, said: "Thousands of men from every corner of Scotland lost their lives in defence of our country at the Battle of Loos. The events organised both here and in France provide us all with an opportunity to remember not only the fallen but all those men who returned home after the battle whose lives were changed forever by the service to their country."
During its trip to France the association will take part in two parades in full regimental attire, lay a number of wreaths as well as present a regimental plaque to the Lady Mayor of Auchey Les Mines near Loos in commemoration of the regiments who took part in the battle.
Lt Col Towns added: "We will also be remembering the two Victory Crosses that were awarded. One to Lt Col Angus Falconer Douglas-Hamilton who rallied the 6th Camerons time and again at Hill 70 who was killed leading them on September 26. The other, to Cpl James Dalgleish Pollock, 5th Camerons who, at the Hohenzollern Redoubt the next day, walked along the top edge bombing the German trench from above. He was wounded and survived the war."
