Paying tribute to hero of Somme
Family remembers L/Cpl Robert S Gellatly
A short service of remembrance was held at the War Memorial in Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow on Wednesday last week to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of L/ Cpl Robert S Gellatly, who was 34 when he was killed during the Battle of the Somme.
L/Cpl Gellatly was in the Territorial Army and was called up at Blairgowrie at the beginning of the war.
He was serving in the 1/6th Black Watch when he was killed in action in France on July 27, 1916.
At the Wellmeadow a floral tribute comprising heather, rosemary and thistles was laid under L/Cpl Gellatly’s name on the War Memorial by a great nephew, Billy Whytock, ex-RSM 1 Black Watch.
The wreath was made up by the mother of Billy’s partner, Wendy Symington.
Also at the ceremony were Chrissie Mitchell (nee Gellatly), niece, and Mr Whytock’s son Robert, named after his great, great uncle.
As shown in Mark Duffy’s book about the War Memorial ‘Behind the Names’, the Blairgowrie Advertiser carried details on August 12 that year of the notice that L/Cpl Gellatly’s wife received.
Being a Territorial, he was called up at the beginning of the war and since going to the front he had been only once been home, suffering from a poisoned foot.
He returned to the firing line in August 1915.
He was formerly employed at Ashgrove Works and was one of four brothers fighting at the front.
L/Cpl Robert S Gellatly’s name is also on the Thiepval Memorial in France and on the Blairgowrie High School Memorial Board, as well as on the former St Mary’s Church Memorial Plaque.
Ex-RSM Whytock said the family’s poignant ceremony in the Wellmeadow was followed by a visit to Balhousie Castle in Perth.
He explained:“We looked Robert up in the Roll of Honour and at the same time took in the moving Weeping Window poppy display.
“It was a very moving day. It was a pity that Jean MacNaughton, Robert’s only other living niece, was unwell and unable to attend.”