The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:29 pm Post subject: Eric Milroy Memorial Trophy

Just spotted a short article in this week's Wigtownshire Free Press (26/1/2017) about former Scottish Rugby Captain Eric Milroy and a new rugby tournament which will play for a trophy named in his honour. It reads: "A Portpatrick woman will be flying out to France to celebrate the life of her great uncle, who once captained the Scottish rugby team. Jean Ross will be going to Amiens next month with relatives to mark the life of her uncle Eric Milroy. Born in Edinburgh but brought up at East Galdenoch Farm, near Stoneykirk, Eric captained the Scottish national rugby team in games before the outbreak of World War One. As the second son, Eric would not take over the farm, instead choosing a career in bankong, working for the British Linen Bank in Edinburgh. He went to the front line before being killed in France in 1916. Now a memorial tournament has been named in his honour. It is being held on the same weekend Scotland play France in the Six Nations. The tournament is made up of eight teams, according to the geographical origin of the war veterans on the Front Line of the Battle of the Somme. Teams from Scotland, France, Italy and Belgium will be participating. Jean will fly out to France to spectate at the rugby tournament. The trophy has been named after Eric, who was capped 12 times. There is a full weekend of activities planned, but the highlight will be a tournament named after her relative."

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 2:34 pm Post subject:

From the Edinburgh University Roll of the Fallen
MILROY, ERIC (b. 1887).
George Watson's College; First XV. Cadet Corps 1903-6, Cadet Sergeant.
Student of Arts, 1906-10; M.A. 1910. Chartered Accountant, 1914. Scottish
Rugby International, 9th Royal Scots, Private Aug. 1914. 11th and 8th Royal
Highlanders (Black Watch), 2nd Lieut. Sept. 1914; Lieut. July 1916. France
Oct. 1915. Killed at Delville Wood in November 1916.

He has a Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Milroy
Eric "Puss" MacLeod Milroy (4 December 1887 – 18 July 1916) was a rugby union player who represented Scotland and Watsonians.
_________________
Ken

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 4:18 pm Post subject:

Can't quite see on the photo of George Watson's College WM whether he is on there though the College website infers he is. More background on him at: https://www.gwc.org.uk/our-school/history-of-george-watsons-college/watsons-war-records/?surname=Milroy&conflict=Any&regiment=Any&cemetery=Any&Submit=Submit

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:39 pm Post subject:

Cause I went to Specsavers I'm sure he is on the George Watson's College memorial but I'd agree Mike it's not easy to be sure.
We would not get away with this standard down here in the deep south Laughing

Probably because we still use photogravure rather than this modern Eastman/Kodak stuff Rolling Eyes

_________________
Ken

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 9:56 pm Post subject:

Chalk and blackboard here out West, Ken.