Large Victoria Cross collection goes on display to Highland public at Highlanders' Museum at Fort George, near Ardersier
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AN impressive collection of 16 Victoria Crosses has gone on public display for the first time at the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George, near Ardersier.
The medals, which are the highest military recognition of acts of extreme bravery carried out under direct enemy fire, were awarded to men fighting for Highland regiments.
Until now, only replicas have been displayed while the real VCs – crafted from the bronze of a gun captured in the Crimean War – were stored in a vault.
But they have now gone on display alongside the recipients’ remarkable stories following an unveiling ceremony attended by some of the descendants.
Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, who performed the ceremony, described the collection as “remarkable”.
“I think it is a reminder to this generation of how brave our forebears were and what we owe them,” he said. “I think the story boards have been put well together so we can understand the individuals’ bravery.”
Guests included six members of the Edwards family from Lossiemouth who attended in honour of Alexander Edwards, a sergeant with 6th Seaforth.
He was awarded the VC for leading a charge against a machine gun despite being badly wounded during action near Ypres in July 1917.
David Edwards said he wanted to recognise the achievements of his great uncle who was killed in action in Arras in March 1918.
“His body was never recovered but we have visited the place where the battle was,” he said.
David’s brother William said: “When you see the horrors, you realise what has happened and that these men came home on leave knowing they had to go back to that, to the front.”
Also present was Marjorie Buntin, the great niece of Robert McBeath, a lance corporal with 5th Seaforth, who was 18 when he was awarded the VC for conspicuous bravery during the Battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917.
He was born in Fraserburgh but brought up in Kinlochbervie after his unmarried mother gave him away.
Following the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Army at 16 after lying about his age.
After the war, he emigrated to Canada and joined the North West Mounted Police but was shot and killed while on duty in 1922.
It is only in recent years that Mrs Buntin, of Dundee, discovered his story.
“This is the first time I have seen the real Victoria Cross,” she said. “It is a very proud moment.”
