LISTEN: Tribute for Glasgow soldier who fought at the Somme
two soldiers from Glasgow have been honoured for their bravery at the Somme with Victoria Cross paving stones at the People's Palace
Paving stones honouring two First World War soldiers from Glasgow have been unveiled on the 100th anniversary of their acts of valour.
Sergeant James Turnbull and Drummer Walter Ritchie both received the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.
Centenary Victoria Cross commemorative paving stones were unveiled during separate ceremonies for each soldier outside the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green.
While Drummer Ritchie survived the First World War, served for another 11 years in the army, married and raised a family; tragically Sergeant Turnbull was killed by a sniper’s bullet only hours after his act of bravery, aged just 32.
Walter Ritchie's grandson, also called Walter Ritchie, spoke to our Chief Reporter Linda Sinclair.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow Sadie Docherty, who led both ceremonies, was joined by representatives of the families of both men.
The Lord Provost said: “It is a huge privilege to be here to remember two very brave Glaswegians.
“Sgt Turnbull and Drummer Ritchie showed extraordinary courage during a day described as the bloodiest in the history of the British Army.
“One hundred years ago the heroism of both men was very well documented by the media in our city and beyond. Today, we hope that by unveiling these commemorative paving stones we will ensure their story isn’t forgotten for this generation and generations to come.
“I am particularly pleased that their families are able to take part in these ceremonies – and to be able to express to them the city’s gratitude, and my own.”
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry British or Commonwealth service personnel can receive. As part of the commemorations of the centenary of the First World War, the UK government decided to lay paving stones in the home towns of each UK VC recipient on or near the date of their act of gallantry.
UK Communities Minister Baroness Williams said: “The stones laid in honour of Walter Ritchie and James Turnbull provide a lasting legacy to their bravery and will enable residents of Glasgow and Scotland to gain a greater understanding of how local heroes played a key role in the history of the First World War.
“They both carried out astonishing acts of valour in service of their country and we all owe a huge debt to those brave heroes like Walter and James.
“They are just as inspirational now as they were a century ago.”
David MacLeod was unable to attend the ceremony, but was represented by his children Helen and Ewan.
Mr MacLeod said: “"We are very proud of my great-uncle’s amazing courage and valour during the First World War.
“It is wonderful that the city of his birth is remembering him both on the 100th anniversary of his act of bravery for which he received the Victoria Cross and also the date of his untimely death at 32 in the Battle of the Somme.”
Walter Ritchie, the grandson of Drummer Ritchie, said: “It is nice that my grandfather is being remembered with this paving stone all these years later.
“It is befitting that it is so for a brave man, who was willing to sacrifice himself to rally his fellow soldiers in the face of enemy machine gun and cannon fire. My grandfather always felt he was just doing his duty.”
The Battle of the Somme, which lasted four and a half months, is one of the most famous military events in British history – synonymous with huge loss of life and costly failure.
While 1 July 1916 was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army, with a total of 19,240 British soldiers losing their lives, it is also recognised as a day of extraordinary gallantry.
The first ceremony unveiling and wreath laying was for James Turnbull, who was born in Glasgow on Christmas Eve 1883.
He was a sergeant in the 17th Battalion (Glasgow Commercials) of The Highland Light Infantry, fighting in France during the First World War.
This battalion was formed by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the current President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Neil Amner was in attendance at today’s ceremony along with officers of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).
In an extraordinary coincidence, the great-nephew of Sgt Turnbull was only recently traced after contacting Colonel Bobby Steele, a retired colonel who is Regimental Secretary of the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Glasgow; who was heavily involved in arranged today’s ceremony for Sgt Turnbull.
Walter Potter Ritchie was born in Glasgow on 27th March 1892 to Helen and Walter snr, a blacksmith. Having already been a boy drummer in the Royal Scottish Rifles, Walter joined the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in 1908 and at the outbreak of the War in 1914 was posted to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).
More than 50 members of the Ritchie family attended the service along with officers from the 2 SCOTS.