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Cpl James McPhie, Victoria Cross, Edinburgh

 
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Adam Brown
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Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:19 pm    Post subject: Cpl James McPhie, Victoria Cross, Edinburgh Reply with quote

Cpl James McPhie VC Memorial Bench, Edinburgh
Location: West Princess Street Gardens. Near Royal Scots Greys Memorial
OS Ref: NT 250 737
Memorial Type: Bench

A memorial plaque on one of the many park benches in Princess Street gardens in Edinburgh.



Adam


Last edited by Adam Brown on Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:22 am    Post subject: VictoriaCross Reply with quote

Cpl McPhie's SNWM and CWGC details:

Surname McPHIE
Firstname James
Service Number 422047
Date Death 14/10/1918
Decoration V.C.
Place of birth Edinburgh
Other 416th Field Coy.
SNWM roll THE ROYAL ENGINEERS
Rank Cpl
Theatre of death F.& F.


Name: McPHIE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 416th (Edinburgh) Field Coy.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 14/10/1918
Service No: 422047
Awards: VC
Additional information: Son of Allan and Elizabeth McPhie, of 112, Rose St., Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. E. 4.
Cemetery: NAVES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- " For most conspiuous bravery on the 14th October, 1918, when with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge across the Canal de la Sensee near Aubencheul-au-Bac. The further end of the bridge was under close machine gun fire and within reach of hand grenades. When Infantry just before dawn were crossing it, clossing up resulted and the bridge began to sink and break. Accompanied by a sapper, he jumped into the water and endeavoured to hold the cork and timbers together, but this they failed to do. Cpl. McPhie then swam back, and, having reported the broken bridge, immediately started to collect material for repair. It was now daylight. Fully aware that the bridge was under close fire and that the far bank was almost entirely in the hands of the enemy, with the inspiring words " It is death or glory work which must be done for the sake of our patrol on the other side," he led the way, axe in hand, on to the bridge and was at once severely wounded, falling partly into the water, and died after receiving several further wounds. It was due to the magnificant example set by Cpl. McPhie that touch was maintained with the patrol on the enemy bank at a most critical period."

The citation perhaps does not make clear that Cpl McPhie was holding the bridge together to let the patrol get back to the British side of the river after a failed attack.

Adam
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 7749
Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie

PostPosted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



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Adam Brown
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Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

McPhie's bench looking very much worse for wear there. Not a good sight to see.

Thanks Ken

Adam
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