Veteran of Loos died down mine

Hero George left a widow and family of seven

A war hero, who survived the Battle of Loos, died while working as a miner following discharge from the Army.

Sgt George Flockhart, well known in Cowie, Plean and Bannockburn, was employed at Carnock Colliery at the time of his death.

The 46-year-old lived in Cowie and left a widow and family of seven.

He was a young man when he joined the Gordon Highlanders and served in India with the Second Battalion. He took part in the memorable charge of the Gordons at Dargai and was the holder of the Terah Punjab Medal.

He later fought in the South African Wars and saw much of the fighting in the campaign of 1899 and the following years, for which he was awarded two medals with bars.

On leaving the Army, he worked at Cowie Colliery and was a piper with the Cowie and Polmaise Pipe Band.

As a reservist, he was called to Colours at the outbreak of WW1 and saw much fighting during the early stages of the conflict.

During the Battle of Loos, while holding the rank of corporal, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery and devotion to duty at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on September 25 to 27.

The citation read: `The situation had become very serious but Cpl Flockhart, by his coolness and bravery, contributed to maintaining the steadiness of the men with him. He also for over three hours carried bombs and ammunition supplies to the redoubt under very heavy shell fire, and later he assisted to carry back a number of wounded. Throughout the operations, his bravery and devotion to duty was beyond praise.’

Following promotion to sergeant, he was discharged from the Army and returned to Cowie.

Later, at a ceremony at Cowie Public School, Sgt Flockhart was honoured for his bravery.

During a public presentation, he received a £50 War Loan certificate, gold watch and a number of sovereigns.

The Observer said the comments made at the presentation were `testimony to the sergeant’s good qualities as a man and a comrade and one who under no circumstances would shirk his duty’.

In the days and weeks before his death, he had complained about his health and was advised by a medic to seek a change of work. However, the sergeant decided to continue as a miner and died suddenly during a shift from heart failure.