War memorial service in Brora, Sutherland, to honour dead soldier
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A MOVING commemorative service will take place at the Clyne War Memorial in Brora on New Year's Day to remember another of the fallen of the parish – a casualty of fighting in 1916.
The ceremony, honouring Alick George Sutherland, will be held by the Friends of Clyne War Memorial Association at 4.30pm on New Year’s Day, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, Dr Monica Main.
Before WWI broke out, Alick George Sutherland was working in the shipyards in Glasgow but came home to enlist with the 5th Seaforths. After training in Bedford, he saw action at Loos in 1915 – the first of many awful battles. His company was in reserve in the Somme area when the offensive was launched on July 1, 1916. But three weeks later he was in the heart of the action and a family member has shared what is known about his last days.
“According to Commonwealth War Grave Commission records, Alick died on Wednesday, July 26, 1916 aged 24,” said a spokesman for the Friends. “We can only imagine how awful this was for his brother, George Melville Sutherland, to witness.
“A group of men were taking cover from a shell attack near High Wood – George Melville Sutherland, Alick’s brother, being one of them. The men ran out of water, and Alick set off to get some when he was shot. He did not die where he fell but succumbed to his wounds the next day.”
A Northern Times report dated December 28, 1922 stated: “George M Sutherland MM, standing on the right of the plinth, represented the army at the Christmas Day unveiling of the war memorial.”
And the family of these men have now been asked to lay the community wreath on January 1 in the 100th year of the memorial’s existence.
Alasdair Sutherland (93), of Stafford Terrace, will attend to honour the memory of his uncle, Alick George Sutherland. The spokesman added: “The committee invite the village to attend this commemorative ceremony at 4.30pm.”
