Last Scottish Veteran of WW1 Dies

Alfred Anderson, Scotland's last link to the Great War and the country's oldest man, has died at the age of 109.
The Black Watch veteran was one of the first soldiers to be sent to France in 1914. Sally McNair reports.
21st November 2005

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• 1914

[RifledBarrel]

that's all lies...no British soldier was 'called-up'...they were all volunteers who mistakenly thought the war would be all over by Christmas...........so gettit correct bitch

[johnpindar]

Conscription was introduced in Britain in January 1916.

[Muskelhoernchen]

In this war thea all have been heroes, fighting for their land and for what they believed!

It doesn`t matter, from where they are, what their reasons are, is important.

Rest in Peace

from Germany

[johnpindar]

Hear! Hear!

[Frag85]

These men knew a hell like we could never know. Each and everyone of them deserves their peaceful sleep!

[leejohnson1234]

I find it absolutely incredible that these men have survived the atrocities of two world wars and reached such an old age; i cannot begin to imagine what it must feel like to be the last surviving man of a whole generations, which is what these few surviving world war one veterns are. The death of British veteren Harry Patch marks a sad day as it is another link with the Great War gone. R.I.P all those who have fell and those who survived and are now at peace.

[moominpic]

@Hippophilee That's interesting. Thanks for that. yes, I'd heard of the "Wild Geese" regiments from Ireland. As you may know, UK used local recruitment and regiments a lot up until recently, especially in Scotland. Now many of the old regiments, like the Black watch (mentioned in the vid) have lost their status and have been ammalgamated into single regiments.

[Hippophilee]

@moominpic Not officially since the French revolution (before, we even had Scottish and Irish regiments !). Yet in the 1900s most units still had a local recruitment and identity. For ex. the 19e division d'infanterie, based in Rennes, was nicknamed "Division Bretonne" (= the one I was alluding to in my previous post). Most Alpine troops were Savoyards, etc. Officers had their theories about the respective qualities of each region. Joyeux Noel to thee, noble thane!

[moominpic]

@Hippophilee Joyeaux noel, mon ami! That is a very interesting post. Did /does France have specific regiments of Celtic origin, like Britain has the Welsh/Scottish/Irish regiments (or did until recently)?

[Hippophilee]

@moominpic That's manoeuvering ability! In France our celtic regiments, especially the Britons, were rather seen as stubborn units who held positions tightly and lost half of their men rather than fall back. They did that even in the 1940 debacle – in one place, the SS who had outflanked them were so angry with their resistance that they machine-gunned all prisoners. We tend to consider the Scots as being made of the same right stuff.

[moominpic]

@Fridomfry Many of the celtic regiments, especially the Scottish, were used as "strike" forces as they were seen as being very good at charges. However, Robert Graves commented that they often had to retreat quickly, and it was commented that they gained ground quickly "in both directions".

[voiceforveterans]

Your memory will surely last forever. The courage and bravery you shared for your country. He lived a long life and yes, with honor! Kudos!

[BombBakers]

I salute him! rest in peice!

[Whoami691]

That generation must never be forgotten, neither British, German, French and all others that served in that horrific war, These people must always be remembered. We have lost almost all links to that war, when they go, we will have lost all connection. Text cannot give a person the same context as someone who actually saw it happen could.

[soup460]

So the Christmas Day Truce WAS TRUE !!! I hoped it was since I first heard of it but I had never had any "proof"