A Black Watch veteran has mounted a last-ditch effort to contact the families of soldiers who fell during a decisive battle of the Second World War.
The men are to be honoured at a new monument in France next month and Dr Tom Renouf would like surviving relatives to play a part in the poignant unveiling ceremony.
With Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Angus and Fife the traditional recruiting ground of the regiment, Dr Renouf thought an appeal through The Courier might bear fruit.
“I am trying to contact the families of six Black Watch comrades who were killed on August 28/29 1944 in Normandy serving with the 5th Black Watch in the 51st Highland Division,” said Dr Renouf, who lives in Musselburgh.
“I would like the families to know that a monument to honour the names of their wartime relatives killed on that date is being unveiled in Mauny, France, on June 1, the village near the Seine where they gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.”
The soldiers being honoured are:Major Donald Mirrielees MC, 67799, killed aged 29 Sergeant Thomas Kirkcaldy, from Fife, 2759029, killed aged 26 Corporal Harry Chapman, 3325134, killed aged 31, son of George and Alice Chapman, Hull Corporal James O’Keefe, 2756230, killed aged 22, son of Florence Beatrice O’Keefe Private Harry Billington, 14435148, killed aged 19, son of Henry and Emelia Billington, Bromborough, Cheshire Private George Hildred, 14433352, killed aged 18, son of Laurence and Alice Hildred, York.Dr Renouf added: “I was wounded on the same day as my six comrades were killed and I have been invited by the Mayor of Mauny to unveil the monument but the ceremony would be greatly enriched if any of the families could attend the unveiling.
“My fear is that these families never get to know that their heroic war casualty has been paid the tribute he deserves by strangers who realise the debt that they owe him.
“The tragedy of losing a loved one in the war brought untold grief to the families, all the harder to bear when the fate of their loved one was unknown and there was no formal recognition of their sacrifice.
“It is a great consolation to the families of our Black Watch comrades to know that after all these years, their names are to be honoured.”
He added: “Trying to contact families after 70 years when little is known of their whereabouts is a mission impossible without the help of others.
“To date, I have made contact with two families, who were overjoyed to hear about the memorial and who have arranged for grandchildren to attend the ceremony.”
Dr Renouf can be contacted on 0131 665 3274 or at beejaycory@gmail.com.