Hero who was awarded medal is killed in action
News on soldier who carried vital messages
A soldier with Fintry connections, awarded the Military Medal for bravery, was reported killed in action 100 years ago this week.
Pte Peter Watson, A&SH, had previously worked as a ploughman for Mr Alex Stewart, Home Farm, Fintry.
In December, 1916, on the occasion of his 21st birthday, he was presented with the Military Medal for his “heroic work” as a platoon dispatch runner. He distinguished himself by carrying messages under heavy shell fire.
He joined the Army in October, 1915, and was deployed to France in May of the following year.
Two men from Kippen were reported wounded in the latest fighting.
Pte John Simpson, with the Household Battalion , suffered injuries to his leg and Pte Andrew Campbell, Black Watch, was being treated in hospital . The latter had been in France for two years.
Word reached Buchlyvie that one villager had been seriously wounded and another had been killed in action.
Pte John Johnstone, A&SH, made the ultimate sacrifice.
He enlisted two years earlier and had been twice wounded.
“He was a great favourite among his chums, “said the Observer.
Pte Hector Gibb, Black Watch, son of the station master, sustained injuries in fighting around Salonica, Greece.
It was the third time he had been wounded.
Ashfield man Mr Hugh Cameron, who already had one son killed in action, received official word that another had been wounded.
Pte Andrew Cameron, serving with the Canadian contingent, sustained a shrapnel wound to the face.
His other son died while serving with Canadian forces. Both had earlier emigrated to the Canada.
The Observer’s Doune correspondent reported the death in action of Pte David McCallum, Cameron Highlanders. Pte McCallum had seen almost two years of service and had previously been wounded and gassed.
The 20-year-old, who formerly worked in the Land Valuation Office in Stirling, recovered and was sent back to the Front where he met his death.
He was the eldest son of Mr Andrew McCallum, of Doune, who served as inspector of works for the burgh.
Pte John Honeyman, son of Mrs Bayne, Moss School, Blair Drummond, suffered a severe thigh wound while serving with the Highland Light Infantry and was in hospital in Devonport.
He enlisted in the Royal Scots but was transferred to the HLI.
Company Sergeant Major Robert Ferguson, who had links to Doune, was reported to be in hospital in Manchester having been wounded in the recent heavy fighting in France.
It was second time he had been injured in battle and it was not at that stage known how serious his wounds were.