You were my grandfather's little brother, my great uncle, but I never knew you because you were taken from us when you were just twenty years old. My grandfather, who also served in the Gordon Highlanders, told me how you lied about your age to join up at the start of the war, anxious to do your duty for King and country. You survived the horrors of war for three years until, during the Third Battle of Ypres, you succumbed to fatal injuries following heavy enemy bombardment. My grandfather told me that he had been told that you lived for several days before death took you. The pain must have been unbearable, I know that this upset Granda greatly. None of this could be confirmed when I contacted the Gordon Highlanders museum, only that you were killed in action at that battle, but Granda always seemed sure of his facts so I take that as the truth. I've been to visit your final resting place twice now with my husband and the last time we were there we planted some heather on your grave to bring a bit of Scotland to you. We will be back to visit you soon. It's so sad that you were never able to have any children of you own, but WE WILL REMEMBER YOU. I've told my own children and my niece and nephew all about you, and they will tell their children, You will not be forgotten. They will know that you made the ultimate sacrifice to make our lives better. Thank you.

Janice Guthrie