‘He used to scream in the night' – Scottish WW2 veterans return to scene of one of worst military tragedies
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VETERANS returned to the scene of one of Scotland's worst military tragedies this week - 85 years after 10,000 men were either killed or captured in WW2.
The Black Watch paid an emotional visit to St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy to commemorate the ill-fated defence of the region by the 51st Highland Division.
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The Black Watch Commemorative Visit to Normandy in France.
Credit: ©Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
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Lt Col Bill Bradford of The Black Watch whilst serving as a Captain.
Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
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Private Cameron Walker who was hidden by the Hubert family for four years - pictured with his mother after returning.
Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
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Infantry of 51st Highland Division are carried into battle aboard Sherman tanks.
Credit: Alamy
It was an equally sombre event for grateful locals who remembered the men that gave their lives for strangers and saved their ancestors.
Retired Brigadier Alastair Aitken, Chairman of The Black Watch Association, said: 'People talk about the Auld Alliance but what they are thinking of is a few beers at Murrayfield with some French rugby supporters.
'But actually, here in Normandy is the real Auld Alliance because here we had Scottish soldiers who died not just in France, but for France, and that is unique in recent British history.
'This is a story of Scotland's best who fought bravely for France as they died for Scotland. They would have fought to the last man and the last round. That has created a unique bond with the communities of Normandy. We won't find it anywhere else in France.
'This is not even a Scottish story – it is a Highlands story – and The Black Watch is part of that.
'It is all about the people. And it is their individual stories that keep their names alive. These are the stories that inspire current and future generations.'
Mayor of St Valery-en-Caux, Jean-Francois Ouvry, added: 'I once watched an old soldier stand at the 51st Highland Division monument on the clifftop above St Valery as a tear trickled down his cheek and I realised I also had a tear in my eye.
'Perhaps future generations will not be so aware of our mutual history but hopefully St Valery will never forget.
'The monument stands strong; the graves are tended and the soldiers of Scotland rest here forever. They are in our hearts and we will take care of them.'
The heroic soldiers remained behind, under French command, in a last gasp attempt to halt the German advance.
But the onslaught proved too strong and 51st Highland Divisional commander Major General Victor Fortune reluctantly followed orders to call a ceasefire and surrender when all hope of naval evacuation had gone.
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Troops were vastly outnumbered and rapidly running out of ammunition, food and fresh clothing, as well as having no aerial or heavy artillery support.
French families played their own in part in trying to save those left behind - taking in stricken Scots and shielding them from the Germans.
Private Cameron Walker, a blacksmith's son from Forteviot in Perthshire, remained hidden with a family for four years – helping on the farm and hiding in a specially-made niche between the chimneys whenever enemy soldiers made their frequent searches.
His host Hamilton Hubert later 'adopted' Cameron as an extra son and the last surviving daughter – 80-year-old Ghislaine Pegard – told of the love the family had for the young Scotsman.
She said: 'I never met him – I wasn't born. But my parents talked about Cameron often. I feel very proud of them and what they did.
'Cameron was a part of the family and The Black Watch became part of our family too. My grandchildren now know of what my parents went through to keep Cameron safe and they will tell their children and grandchildren.'
Meanwhile, retired Black Watch Colonel Ronnie Bradford, 67, from Aberdeenshire, is still in awe of the legends told about his famous father - Captain Bill Bradford
He was taken prisoner following the surrender of British and French commanders but managed to escape on six separate occasions.
The hero spent 367 days trying to reach safety. He walked more than 620 miles, cycled over 500 miles, travelled 2,216 miles by train, 469 miles by ship and around 700 miles by small boat to reach British soil.
Ronnie said: 'He never spoke of those times but I know they scarred him deeply. He used to scream in the night.
'It was only after my brother stopped Dad burning his diaries just before he died that his story came to light.
'He was a kind and tolerant father. I just wish we'd known his war story before so that I could have talked to him about it.
'I've been thinking of him and all the other soldiers who fought here in Normandy and to walk where they walked and see where his friends and comrades fell is a really emotional journey.'
King Charles passed on his wishes to those who made the trip to pay their respects.
And general Fortune's grandson, actor Jack Fortune, from Galloway, believes people could learn a lot from the soldier's commitment to his men.
He proudly said: 'While in prison in Poland after capture at St Valery, he suffered a stroke and refused to be repatriated, saying he would stay with his men of the 51st Highland Division until the end.'
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