By Eric Nicolson

THE LAST Scottish veteran of the first world war, the late Alfred Anderson, was honoured by royalty at the unveiling of a cairn in his memory in his home town of Alyth yesterday.

Mr Anderson, who died aged 109 nearly a year ago, was also the last survivor who had witnessed the famous 1914 Christmas Eve truce.

During his later years The Black Watch’s most famous soldier and unofficial figurehead had struck up a friendship with Prince Charles, meeting him on two occasions.

The prince and his wife, the Duchess of Rothesay, paid the latest and highest tribute to him by visiting Alyth yesterday morning to unveil the new memorial, which is sited next to the existing war memorial.

In the wake of Mr Anderson’s death, the Alyth branch of the Royal British Legion set up a memorial fund.

That fund swelled to over £3000 thanks to the generosity of local people and paid for the cairn to be built as a lasting tribute to his life.

Fate intervened when early morning torrential rain cleared for the royal party’s arrival at 11am.

Prince Charles and the duchess spent around 15 minutes at the new memorial, where they chatted to Mr Anderson’s four children Jim Anderson, Minnie Forbes, Andrew Anderson and Chrissie Maxwell.

The prince, spoke of his delight that the cairn was built and the duchess said it was “a joy” to be in Alyth for the first time, adding she had “heard a lot about” Mr Anderson from her husband.

He then cut the red, white and blue ribbon which was securing a Saltire draped on the cairn, to unveil the sculpture, before studying the inscription.

The Rev Tom Tait gave a dedication to the cairn which was erected to “pay respects and remember with gratitude the life of Alfred Anderson”.

Mr Tait explained that it stood for the service he gave to king and country, his association with The Black Watch, and the esteem of which he is held in the parish.

This was followed by a prayer before the prince and duchess met Guides, Scouts, Cubs and Rainbows, among others.

Hundreds of people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal couple and there was another crowd waiting for them when they were driven to Alyth Town Hall.

There they spent longer than originally scheduled meeting people who had been involved in the memorial fund-raising and the organisation of yesterday’s event.

They also studied a display which had been put together, featuring a copy of the bust of Mr Anderson which is permanently housed at The Black Watch headquarters in Perth, his medals, photographs, newspaper cuttings and copies of his life story which was written by Professor John Mackenzie.

A thousand copies of the booklet have been sold in Alyth alone and Professor Mackenzie explained that the prince has one, which was signed by Mr Anderson.

He said, “I arrived in Alyth in 2001 and was asked to write a life story. In doing that we became great friends and he celebrated his 107th, 108th and 109th birthdays with me at my house.

“I was privileged to speak at his funeral, and this was another special day and special memory for me.”

The prince addressed people in the town hall.

He said, “I have such happy and special memories of meeting Alfred Anderson. I was lucky enough to meet him twice and they were great opportunities to talk to him and hear about his experiences.

“Through those conversations I discovered what a remarkable man he was. It was a great privilege for me and so many others to know such a special person. I remember him as such a dapper character who still had his walk and read his newspaper every day at the age of 109.”

He praised the memorial committee, which was headed by Dennis Melloy, for their “amazing” efforts in raising the money required and the generosity of the people of Alyth. He said the fact they were able to amass such a large amount showed the affection that Alyth has for Mr Anderson.

The prince pointed out that his grandmother’s fondness for The Black Watch has been passed on to him, and stressed that the cairn will be a reminder of the “importance and timeless relevance of the qualities embodied by Alfred Anderson, The Black Watch and his generation.”

The speech was concluded by the prince mentioning the “sense of duty and courage” still being displayed by British soldiers.

Mr Anderson’s great grand-daughter Eilidh Mclauchlan (7) presented a posy to the duchess and Alyth’s young citizen of the year, 13-year-old John Wheatley, gave a hastily-framed picture of the cairn unveiling to the prince.

The heavy rain had begun to fall again as Prince Charles and the duchess were piped out of the town hall, but it failed to keep away the crowds who applauded them along the road and out of the town.