Proudly borne by brothers in arms, hero who died alone at 97
WHEN he died alone, aged 97, he had no known relatives.
To his neighbours, Willie McLelland was a polite, modest man who was always smiling.
But few knew he had fought with the Scots Guards against the Germans in North Africa during the Second World War before spending two years in an Italian PoW camp.
Following his death in February last year, Mr McLelland’s inspiring story led to a plea to his old regiment to help give him a fitting send-off.
Yesterday, he was given a military funeral. Organisers even traced his estranged son and daughter, who came from Belfast at the last minute.
Neil Crockett of the Scots Guards Association, who was closely involved in the arrangements, said: ‘The Scots
‘Made sure he had a proper funeral’
Guards is a family regiment and we wanted to make sure Willie McLelland was given a proper funeral. After the sad circumstances came to light, some members of his family were located and were able to be here.
‘I’m delighted we were able to bring all these people together and give him the military funeral service he deserved.’
Mr McLelland died at his home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, and initial investigations failed to find any living relatives.
But almost 100 people filled Holytown Crematorium yesterday. Alongside soldiers from his old regiment stood members of the British Legion, friends, neighbours and strangers.
Serving Scots Guardsmen acted as pallbearers, while a regimental cap and ceremonial belt were laid on Mr McLelland’s coffin.
The funeral was led by former Scots Guards chaplain the Rev Angus Smith, who said the regimental prayer.
The eulogy was given by Captain John Ford, describing Mr McLelland’s war service. A regimental piper played The Flowers of the Forest.
Martha McNaught, a funeral arranger at Anderson Maguire, started the campaign to give Mr McLelland a fitting farewell.
She said: ‘When we were asked to arrange Mr McLelland’s funeral, I realised he was a World War Two veteran and was keen to ensure he was laid to rest in a manner which would honour him.’
After the funeral, Mr McLelland’s son William and daughter, Frances Spratt, said: ‘We were glad to have been able to attend our father’s funeral today at short notice.
‘It was a fitting tribute to his military career and we would like to extend our grateful thanks to friends and neighbours, Anderson Maguire and all the members of the Scots Guards, the British Legion and other ex-servicemen who were in attendance.’
Former neighbour Rab Stewart, 59, said: ‘Willie didn’t speak about the war or what he had done in it. He always had a smile on his face. He was politely spoken, modest and didn’t seek praise.
‘He must have been a strapping big fellow when he was a young man. He was over 6ft and had handsome, rugged features. He’d go out of his way to help anybody.’
Mr McLelland was born in Larkhall in 1919 and was a miner before enlisting in the Scots Guards in 1939. He joined the 2nd Battalion in Egypt in January 1940 and fought in a number of battles in the Western Desert against the Germans.
He was captured at the Battle of Gazala in 1942 when the 2nd Battalion, defending an exposed ridge, was overrun by the 21st Panzer Division.
He was reported missing, and later confirmed as a PoW. He was held in Italy until being repatriated in October 1944.
Mr McLelland was discharged in 1946 and returned to mining.
‘He always had a smile on his face’