The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Heroism of once-forgotten soldier will be celebrated by The Black Watch
Display tells ‘incredible’ tale of Scot’s bravery
In 2014 the body of an unknown British soldier was discovered in a farmer’s field at Cuinchy, near Arras, in France.
Found alongside the remains were personal effects including a spoon with the number 5181 stamped on it, key to uncovering the man’s identity.
A two-year-investigation led to revelations of heroism in the worst of circumstances and the sacrifice of Lance Corporal John Morrison.
The remarkable story of this lost First World War soldier is told in an exhibition at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth.
Curator Hope Busak said: “We know from records that Morrison – only promoted to lance corporal days before his death – fell, wounded in the leg, but managed to crawl to an injured officer and assist him. It was during this act of bravery that he was shot dead.
“This exhibition explores the incredible story of Lance Corporal Morrison, tracing his courage and sacrifice, exploring the tale of his discovery on the battlefield and the moving military funeral which laid him to rest over 100 years later”.
A burial with full military honours was held at Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, in July 2016, led by the Reverend Stewart A Mackay, Chaplain of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
A new headstone bearing his name was provided by The Commonwealth War Graves Association.
Lance Corporal Morrison was born in Tomintoul, Moray, but brought up at Brodie Castle, near Forres, after his father became gamekeeper there. The young John also became a gamekeeper, on the Ardtornish Estate in Argyllshire.
When war broke out, he travelled to Perth to enlist with The Black Watch in September 1914. He served with the 1st Battalion, which, just before Christmas of that year, was redeployed from Ypres to Cuinchy.