The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown

51st Highland Division, High Wood Memorial
Location: Newfoundland Park, Beaumont Hamel, Somme, France

This simple cross is sited in front of the main 51st Div memorial. I don't know any history of this cross but I assume it was raised at High Wood at some point after the 1916 battle and was moved to Newfoundland Park at a later date for safekeeping.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject:

The statue of the 51st Div looks over this cross and this bit of ground...Y Ravine.

Adam

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 30.09.1916

A SUNDAY NIGHT IN FRANCE
(By One of Perthshire's Own)

When folks at hame were gaun tae kirk
A'e Sunday last July
The gallant lads o' "Perthshires Own"
Prepared to "Do or die".

At ten past six that Sunday night
The gallant band went o'er,
Some fated to meet wounds severe,
Some to return no more.

They quietly strode towards the lines
Against their dastard foe,
When bullets whizzed right in their midst,
And bade them all lie low.

Then "Up and at them now, brave boys",
The order it was given,
And forward went the gallant band,
Their grit and pluck were proven.

Oor ain brave captain he did fall,
And lots o' pals as well;
Whene'er we meet the Huns again
We'll fairly gie them hell!

We lost a lot o' chums that night
In the gallant "Sixth's" advance,
We'll ne'er forget our heroes
That lie asleep in France.

But never mind, lads, now we're here
We're gaun tae dae oor best.
And if we canna gain the day
We'll lie beside the rest.

Remembering John Duffy, 6th Black Watch (T.F.), KIA at High Wood, 30th July, 1916, aged 21. RIP.

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:51 pm Post subject:

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject:

The cross seems to have deteriorated a little since I was here. Thanks to Morag Sutherland of Brora for this photograph

Adam

DerekR · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:30 pm Post subject:

A photo showing the relationship of the cross to the 51st Div. memorial

And the deterioration of the cross is continuing. I wonder who is responsible for its upkeep?

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

jrah60 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:57 pm Post subject:

The cross has been refurbished

John

anne park

William George Park Pte 2878 5th Gordon Highlanders born Monquhitter 23/06/1892 enlisted Insch Age 24 Killed in Action F & F 31-Jul-16 Son of Mr William, Farmer & Mrs Park, Lescraigie, Auchterless. The War Book of Turriff & 12 Miles Round : page 95. 1901 Census : Monquhitter 223/5/17/73 : Mother Mary Alexander. Only son of William & Mrs Park. Aberdeen Daily Journal 8-11-16 Page 3 : Photo. Peoples Journal : 19-8-16 P 7 : Photo. Births : 1892: Monquhitter 223 Entry 43. Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval Fr 0432 Plot IV Row E Grave 3 Aberdeen Daily Journal 10-08-16 P3 Evening Express 9-8-16 Turriff Memorial