The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:22 pm Post subject: Repatriation of bodies

Just watched the excellent BBC4 program 'We Will Remember Them' with Huw Edwards. Yet again it was stated that the last WW1 body to be repatriated was that of William Gladstone in April 1915.

Lt Henry James Scott, from the 4th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders was wounded at Loos on 25th September 1915 and died at No 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen on 29th September age 25. His body was returned to the UK and interred at Annan cemetery on 5th October 1915. So this is the last UK body to be repatriated.

\Paul

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 332 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

Is that because Scott has been overlooked or was his exhumation unofficial?

Seeing this topic reminded me of another from 2015, when I noted the case of Norman Macleod Adam MC whose family got his remains "surreptitiously" exhumed in 1922, brought back, and reburied in Glasgow Necropolis in July.

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=9044&highlight=body

spoons · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:35 am Post subject:

I don't think he was exhumed. He died in Rouen and his parents were either there at the time or arrived soon after and brought his body back to Annan for burial, but a repatriation nonetheless.
With this man, your 1922 example and of course the unknown warrior and Edith Cavell, that is 4 repatriations after the 'last' one quoted in Huw Edward program.

\Paul