The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stories of sacrifice
The Courier has just published The Scottish Soldier’s Story, a commemorative book of much of the material from our special First World war supplements from the last five years. By Caroline Lindsay
The First World War was probably the single most important event of the 20th Century – it shaped the world in which we live today and changed the global landscape forever in so many ways. In 2014 The Courier began producing a series of commemorative supplements telling the story of the Great War and, most importantly, of local people.
Over the following five years we told stories of heroism, heartache and a hell that is difficult to contemplate in this century.
These accounts, many of them firsthand, have now been collected into a special Courier book, First World War: The Scottish Soldier’s Story. Each of the five chapters looks in detail at each year of the war, the major battles, sea and air warfare, the political scene, and the home front, illustrated with poignant and relevant archive photographs, paintings and satirical cartoons.
Over the last five years, many local readers have shared stories of their loved ones’ exploits in the First World War, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. In addition, prominent historians from Tayside and beyond have contributed detailed and informative features for the supplements. Dr Billy Kenefick and Dr Derek Patrick, founders of Great War Dundee, are glad to see much of the material from the supplements amalgamated into a book.
Dr Kenefick says: “For the UK as a whole (not counting the colonial troops) there were more than 740,000 casualties, although some have argued that the figure is even higher. Of these 100,000 would have been Scots.
“The Scots gave in disproportionate amounts relative to the general population, and the figure could be as high as 150,000,” he continues.
“Dundee had more than 4,200 war dead, a devastating casualty rate of more than 15%, double the rate of Glasgow and one of the highest of any city in the UK.
“The Battle of Loos, a British offensive that started on September 25 1915, decimated ‘Dundee’s Ain’, the 4th Battalion of The Black Watch, which was overwhelmingly Dundee men.
“Out of the 20 officers and 420 men who took part, 19 officers and 230 men were killed or wounded,” says Billy. “And by mid-October the battle had taken its toll on the 8th and 9th Battalions too.
“There wasn’t a tenement, house or cottage in Dundee that wouldn’t have been touched by this so you can imagine the effect it would have had on the city and its surrounding area.
Dundee had more than 4,200 war dead, a devastating casualty rate of more than 15%
“But even before Loos, Dundee was already being disproportionately affected by the war.”
Dr Kenefick and Dr Patrick believe The Courier’s supplements have made a fantastic contribution to the centenary commemoration of the war and the book is a fitting tribute to the part played by the men and women of Courier Country during the Great War.
Dr Patrick, of St Andrews University, says: “It is these local stories and accounts, outlining the experiences of our relatives, men and women, from familiar cities, towns and villages, which bring the history of the Great War to life.”
Dr Kenefick adds: “The war will always be synonymous, rightly or wrongly, with lengthy casualty lists, but we need to remember that behind each name there is an individual, a family and a story.
“The supplements – and now the book – have provided a platform for these stories of courage, sacrifice and endurance to reach a wide audience and will hopefully inspire future generations to take a close interest in the events of 1914-18 and ensure the stories of the 30,490 men who left Dundee to fight and of the people left at home are never forgotten.”
Naval historians Iain Stewart and Roderick Stewart have also made many valuable contributions over the past five years.
“The first conclusion I reached after four years of research was the extraordinary bravery shown by ordinary men and women to even participate in the First World War, either as volunteers or conscripts,” says Lieutenant Commander Iain Stewart RD Royal Naval Reserve.
First World War: The Scottish Soldier’s Story, priced £11.99, is available from www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk or call 0800 318 846 (freephone), quoting CSOST, lines open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm.
It is also available from the DC Thomson Shop, Albert Square, Dundee DD1 1DD.