Skipman Posted 30 May , 2018 Share Posted 30 May , 2018 There was a report on BBC Scotland tonight about 'Unknown' Major Alexander Henderson Soutar, Royal Engineers. Will post video when find it. BBC News article Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 30 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 30 May , 2018 Here's the report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-44310446/world-war-one-unknown-soldier-found-to-be-a-scottish-major Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrenchrat22 Posted 30 May , 2018 Share Posted 30 May , 2018 Seen this on the CWGC website today and just looked at the above posts. It was nice to read the name of the researcher who carried out the research on the bbc website as it never appears on the CWGC website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Tattersfield Posted 31 May , 2018 Share Posted 31 May , 2018 Full story of Alastair Soutar is here http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/articles/major-alastair-soutar-mc/ This was one of two ceremonies to rededicate / commemorate officers who were killed at the Third Battle of the Aisne and who had (previously) "unknown" headstones. The other officer (Major Octavius Darby-Griffith MC) was commemorated at La Ville-aux-Bois. His story is here https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/articles/from-private-to-major-via-the-foresters-arms-the-life-death-and-rediscovery-of-octavius-darby-griffith-mc/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 31 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2018 Thanks David. So it's Alastair, and the CWGC are incorrect with Alexander? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 31 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2018 It is actually "Alexander" Henderson Soutar, born 23/7/1887 at Grant Street, Cullen. Son of Rev. Alexander Soutar and Mary (nee Henderson). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyGS Posted 31 May , 2018 Share Posted 31 May , 2018 (edited) 'Maj Soutar was the eldest of six children and, though christened Alexander, was known by his family and friends as Alastair.' Edited 31 May , 2018 by JeremyGS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 31 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2018 28 minutes ago, JeremyGS said: 'Maj Soutar was the eldest of six children and, though christened Alexander, was known by his family and friends as Alastair.' Thank you Jeremy. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wandererpaul Posted 31 May , 2018 Share Posted 31 May , 2018 Thanks for the link to this brave mans story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Tattersfield Posted 31 May , 2018 Share Posted 31 May , 2018 Jeremy is correct. He was christened Alexander but known as Alastair. The "new" headstone avoids issue by detailing his initials! It was an incredibly moving ceremony which was thankfully captured by both the BBC and also a local cameraman employed by the family. All being well the footage will be made available and I hope to be able to share it on the WFA's YouTube channel. The involvement of Alistair Soutar (aged 10 and named specifically after Maj Alastair Soutar) was very special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 21 October , 2019 Share Posted 21 October , 2019 On 31/05/2018 at 07:51, David Tattersfield said: The other officer (Major Octavius Darby-Griffith MC) was commemorated at La Ville-aux-Bois. His story is here https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/articles/from-private-to-major-via-the-foresters-arms-the-life-death-and-rediscovery-of-octavius-darby-griffith-mc/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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