A “canny lad” whose First World War heroism earned him the Victoria Cross has been remembered in Kirriemuir. Picture: Paul Smith.

Poignant: Young factory worker who was awarded the VC honoured

Kirriemuir has paid silent tribute to the actions of a “canny lad” whose First World War heroism earned the son of Angus the nation’s greatest gallantry award.

In a poignant ceremony at the graveyard on Kirrie Hill yesterday, Angus Black Watch Association members gathered to honour the memory of Charles Melvin, a century on from his actions in the trenches of Istabulat, Iraq, which won the young factory worker the Victoria Cross.

Melvin is one of three VC holders from the Angus town, and the remembrance ceremony followed the Old Parish Kirk rededication of the branch standard of the historic regiment to which he brought such honour.

Born in the hamlet of Craig, near Montrose, the farmworker’s son enlisted at the age of 20, and it was his bravery in April 1917 which saw him recognised with the famous medal, after he took on the enemy at close quarters and carried injured comrades to safety during an intense day of battle.

He was laid to rest in a pauper’s grave until, on the death of his wife, a Commonwealth war grave was erected at Kirrie cemetery, where a minute’s silence was held before a piper’s lament sounded out.

Alongside BWA representatives and local dignitaries was former paratrooper Dave Melvin, from Dundee, a greatnephew of the solider.

Angus Provost and Black Watch Association branch chairman Major Ronnie Proctor said: “The story of Chay Melvin is one of which The Black Watch is justifiably proud, and it is fitting that we should remember his bravery 100 years on at his Kirriemuir resting place.”

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Paul Smith. From left: Major Ronnie Proctor, Willie Barr, Dundee branch; Brian Smith, Angus branch; Robert Young, Fife branch; and Pipe Major Peter Snaddon.