First World War VC winner honoured in Guardbridge

Remembered: David Finlay’s act of courage on the Western Front

A Fife soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War is to be honoured at a ceremony in Guardbridge this weekend.

David Finlay, who was born in the village, was awarded the country’s highest military decoration “for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty” in France in 1915.

A ceremony organised by Fife Council on Saturday will mark the centenary of the Black Watch sergeant’s act of bravery, which involved leading a bombing party of 12 men.

The 2nd Battalion of The BlackWatch had moved into a forward position. As well as facing enemy fire, they had to overcome a wide, water-filled ditch which had hindered earlier advances.

Although bridges had been placed in the morning, most had disappeared.

When 10 of the group were injured – two fatally – Lance Corporal Finlay ordered the two survivors to crawl back while he went to help one of the wounded.

He carried the soldier for 100 yards to safety while under heavy enemy fire.

Born in 1893, David Finlay was a ploughman before enlisting in 1910, a month after his 18th birthday.

He was promoted to corporal shortly after his act of bravery. A month later he was made a sergeant. The VC was presented by the King. While on leave in July 1915 he married Christina Cunningham in a civil ceremony in Cupar.

After a week’s leave, he rejoined his battalion in France before being posted to the Middle East at the end of 1915.

He was killed in action in what is now Iraq in January 1916, one of more than 160 casualties when a bayonet attack was launched on the enemy line.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Moonzie and on Leuchars War Memorial, while his Victoria Cross and service medals are on display in the Black Watch Museum’s First World War gallery at Balhousie Castle, Perth. He is also mentioned in the rolls of honour in the museum Remembrance Room.

In addition, his name is recorded on the Basra Memorial in Iraq.

A large stone, with a plaque, outlining Sergeant Finlay’s bravery, will be unveiled near the play park at Guardbridge. The ceremony starts at 2pm.

Picture: PA. British soldiers in the trenches during the Mesopotamian campaign. Fife VC winner David Finlay was killed in action in what is now Iraq in January 1916.

David Finlay was awarded the VC after carrying a wounded soldier to safety under heavy enemy fire.