Hero Gramps Harvey always remembered
A Dunbeg granddad has shared a heart-breaking letter remembering the war hero father he never met.
This October, 73-yearold Bill Harvey travelled to the Netherlands with other families of the Spean Bridge-trained No 4 Army Commandos as part of the 75th liberation commemorations.
It was the third time he had made the journey to pay tribute to his dad, also called Bill, who, aged just 29, selflessly gave his life to save the best friend who had also been bestman at his wedding.
The army pals had landed at Uncle Beach in Flushing, Vlissingen, and were making their way into Germanoccupied Nieuwstraat on November 1, 1944, when Bill was machine gunned down. A wall plaque now marks the spot where he fell.
Bill had decided he had the better gun and pulled back his friend Alex ‘Mac’ MacAuley saying: ‘I’ll go first.’
Last week, Bill’s son, named after his dad, showed his daughter Susan Simpson a letter for the first time that Mac had sent to his pregnant mother just a few weeks after the shooting.
It read: ‘I know that no-one can possibly presume your feelings at this time Margaret, and no words of mine can lessen the blow you’ll be suffering now that Bill has gone. But you have the knowledge that Bill died a hero, fighting for what we all believe in, and hold dear.
‘Small consolation to you Margaret, but it is Bill and all our other heroes who have given and will continue to give their lives whom we shall forever have to remember and thank with all our hearts for the freedom and peace which is, I hope, not far away.
‘No-one knows better than you Margaret the merits of Bill as a husband and pal, but I’d like to say that all who knew him mourn the loss of a great friend and a man respected and liked by all those with whom he came into contact.
‘I won’t say any more now Margaret – letters are such empty and impersonal things when one wishes to convey their true feelings. I hope I might see you soon and express my feelings to you in person. Meanwhile Margaret I know that you will try to bear up under your great loss, as I know he would wish it so at this time, and may God be with you and yours.’
After the war, Mac remained great friends with Margaret and young Bill as he grew up. Margaret never remarried and Bill still meets up regularly with Mac’s daughters Janet and Irene MacAulay.
Hero Bill’s family traditionally attend the Remembrance weekend event at the Commando Memorial. His great-granddaughters Charis and Niamh, living in Appin, have joined the Sea Cadets.
‘Despite the friendly rivalry between the Army and Navy, we hope Gramps Harvey is very proud of them – just as they are proud of him. My sister Alison’s girls Isla and Isobel also know the story of their great-granddad’s heroism and sacrifice. I think the ripple effect of his achievements will continue through the generations,’ said Susan.