Remembered still

I have heard from Sheila Jelley (nee Bradford) of Devon, who is today remembering the men of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 14th (S) Batallion.

“Thirty one soldiers were killed at Beauchamp, Villers-Plouich, France on this day 100 years ago,” she says.

“Seven of these men were mentioned in my father David Bradford’s Soldier’s Diary of which I enclose a copy (see right) and who were remembered by him during his long life (1896-1997).

“My father David Bradford was born on February 29 1896 in Malcolm Street, Dundee, and joined up in February 1915. He survived the war and was lucky to be married twice and have three children whose descendants now live in England.

“His war experiences never left him during his long life as a jute salesman in London for Thomas Bonar of Dundee.”

The seven men mentioned by Sheila’s father were – Sgt Henry (Harry) Nairn, born in 1895, of Ogilvies Road, Dundee; L/Cpl Alexander W. Thain, born 1895, of Morgan Street, Dundee; Pte William Angus, born 1888, of Brechin; Pte Thomas Kempton, born 1895, of Old Kilpatrick; Pte James N Melville, born 1896, of Clepington Road, Dundee; Pte John E. Robertson, born 1896, of Nelson Street, Dundee and Pte Ernest Anderson Smith, born 1897, of Dundee.

Sheila adds: “I am still in Devon and will be putting a remembrance cross on our local war memorial on this day.”