MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
16 April 2010
Development plans near Scots tribute to 'McCrae's Battalion'
A CAMPAIGN is under way to protect a memorial to the famous "McCrae's Battalion" in France from a nearby development.
Contalmaison, in northern France, was on the frontline of the Battle of the Somme in the First World War, and the scene of a bloody massacre of several Hearts players and their comrades who signed up under Sir George McCrae in 1914.
A memorial to the battalion - which was formed out of Tynecastle but soon grew to incorporate players from Hibs, Falkirk and Raith Rovers as well as fans who signed up to fight alongside their footballing heroes - was erected in Contalmaison in 2004.
However, a neighbouring landowner has lodged plans to build a house close to the memorial, which campaigners say will overshadow the site.
Patricia Leroy, mayoress of the small community which boasts just 120 residents, travelled to Edinburgh yesterday to reassure city leaders that she would ensure that the plans are vetoed.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mme Leroy said: "The Town Hall can't purchase the land as it is owned by three members of one family. Two of them would probably be happy to sell but one of them is being a stick in the mud, shall we say.
"However, there exists a right of way on the land which means that any attempt to build on the site would be vetoed by the local planning department.
"Although there are only 120 inhabitants of Contalmaison, they all see themselves as the guardians of the Scottish memorial."
The memorial is in the shape of a Scottish cairn featuring a main plaque with the names of Hearts footballers who lost their lives. Other plaques for Hibs, Falkirk and Raith Rovers players who died in the battle are also incorporated into the design. Mme Leroy's visit was organised by the McCrae's Battalion Trust, which fought for many years to see the memorial erected. Jack Alexander, lead member of the trust and author of an eponymous book on the battalion, said:
"It took until 2004 for this memorial to finally be erected. We waited so long and it would be criminal to see the site spoiled."
Lord Provost George Grubb said: "The bond forged between our two nations as our forebears fought and died side by side remains as strong today as it was when the First World War was waged."
SACRIFICE OF McCRAE'S MEN
SIR George McCrae's C Company of 16th Battalion of the Royal Scots was formed in November 1914, and boasted the entire Hearts first-team squad amongst its first recruits.
Their heroism inspired many others to sign up to fight, and subsequently perish during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Seven Hearts players were never to return: Duncan Currie, John Allan, Thomas Gracie, James Speedie, James Boyd, Ernest Ellis and Harry Wattie all made the ultimate sacrifice. Eleven others were wounded or gassed, with Bob Mercer and Paddy Crossan never regaining full health and both dying aged 37.
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