The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 3:56 pm Post subject:

1939-1945

Gdn. GEORGE BRACK, SCOTS GUARDS.
Not listed by CWGC/SNWM - Possibly
George Brack - age 29 - a gardener of Newtown Glen, St. Boswells.
Born 1911 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. Son of the late George Brack of Narrowgates Lodge, St. Boswells (died 1934) and of Ellen (Watson) Brack of Mertoun Bridge, St. Boswells. (Source: Southern Reporter 9/1/1941 p.5)
Died 26 December 1940 in St. Boswells.
The 1st Battalion, Scots Guards were in action in Norway from April to June 1940.

Pte. JAMES LAIDLER, K.O.S.B.
James Edmondson Laidler – age 18 – Private (14765575) 5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
James was fatally wounded during the advance into Germany. He was buried in Mook but was re-interred in April 1946 at Milsbeek where men from the 51st (Highland) Division and the 52nd (Lowland) Division are buried.
Born 1926 in St. Boswells. Son of Robert and Mary Balmbra (Edmonson) Laidler of Laurel Cottage, St. Boswells and of 8 Oxford Terrace, Edinburgh.
Died of Wounds on 26 February 1945 and buried in Milsbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 4:04 pm Post subject:

Sgt. D. W. McMILLAN, D.F.M. R.A.F.
Douglas William McMillan, Distinguished Flying Medal – age 26 – Sergeant/Air Gunner (1672812) 78 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Douglas was educated at Stirling High School and was working in the Civil Service at Greenock when he joined the RAF.
Douglas and a fellow crewman, Flying Officer Norman Allan Marston, were awarded for their actions on 21/22 January 1944 when “This officer and airman were air bomber and mid-upper gunner-respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Magdeburg. On the outward flight the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and damage was sustained. In spite of this, the mission was continued and the target was successfully attacked. On the homeward flight, whilst over the North Sea the petrol supply became exhausted and the aircraft had to be brought down on to the sea. This was skilfully accomplished but the violence of the waves broke the aircraft in two and the dinghy drifted away. Undaunted, Flying Officer Marston and Sergeant McMillam discarded most of their equipment, plunged into the water and swam towards the dinghy. They succeeded in reaching it and, although almost exhausted, scrambled aboard. Although numb with cold and greatly fatigued they struggled valiantly against the violent seas to return to the sinking aircraft but their efforts were in vain. In most distressing circumstances this officer and airman displayed great courage and resolution and their conduct was worthy of the highest praise.”

Less than two months later his Halifax bomber had again taken off from RAF Breighton in Yorkshire for a raid on railway facilities in Le Mans but the aircraft was hit by ground-fire and crashed near the target site.
(F/O Martston was killed in May 1944)
Born 1917 in Fossoway & Tulliebole, Kinross as MacMillan.
Son of Douglas and Mary McMillan of St. Boswells, Roxburghshire.
Killed in Action on 14 March 1944 and buried in Le Mans West Cemetery, Sarthe, France.

Cpl. JAMES RUTHERFORD, K.O.S.B.
James Alexander Rutherford – age 24 – Trooper (3190401) 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) Royal Armoured Corps.
James enlisted in the KOSB but at some point was posted to the RAC. His death in Italy and the location of his original burial in Fermo would indicate that he was a prisoner of war at Prigioniero di Guerra 70 at Monteurano near Fermo. He was re-interred at Ancona in January 1945.
Born 1919 in Minto, Roxburghshire. Son of James Rutherford and of Janet Melrose (Rutherford) Rutherford of St. Boswells.
Died on Service on 6 January 1943 and buried in Ancona War Cemetery, Italy.

Pte. W. SCOTT, R.A.S.C.
William Scott – age 32 – Driver (T/10677113) 463 Water Tank Company, Royal Army Service Corps.
William and his fellow soldiers of 463 Company were passengers on HMS Landing Ship Tank 362 which was returning in convoy from the Mediterranean to the UK when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-744 in the Biscay area. Over 60 men of the company were lost.
Born 1911 in St. Boswells. Son of William and Margaret (Whitson) Scott.
Killed by enemy action/Lost at Sea on 2 March 1944 and named on the Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Surrey.
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Ken