Carnoustie bar renamed in honour of Angus war hero

A war hero and celebrated athletics coach had a bar lounge named in his honour.

The British Legion Carnoustie branch has named its refurbished bar after local legend Andy Coogan.

Mr Coogan, 96, cut the ribbon on the new bar with the help of branch chairman Lindsay Martin in front of more than 100 people at the dedication ceremony. Mr Coogan served in the Second World War and was captured during the fall of Singapore.

He then spent three and a half years as a Japanese prisoner of war, when he was subjected to slavery and starvation and even forced to dig his own grave twice.

He wrote about his war exploits in a book published last year called Tomorrow You Die. After the war, he founded the Tayside Amateur Athletics Club and competed in veterans competitions. He also worked as a caddy at Carnoustie.

His nephew, six-time Olympic gold winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, described Mr Coogan as his inspiration.

Mr Martin said: “Andy is our oldest member and we wanted to honour the work he has done in the community with his athletics training over the years.

“Even at the age of 96 he was training a couple of youngsters at Carnoustie High School last week.”