Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 08:00
We will remember them
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TWO Musselburgh stalwarts have re-launched an audacious bid to trace all Honest Toun servicemen who died in the First World War in order to compile a roll of honour for display in the town’s library.
Tom Renouf and Ruth Knight – both Citizen of the Year winners – believe they have already tracked down 75 per cent of the war dead from the town and surrounding villages but are now seeking community input to help uncover others that do not appear on official registers.
The diligent pair began their quest three years ago but had to shelve their research until now because of other commitments.
Mr Renouf – a member of the 51st Highland Division which helped to liberate the Belgian town of La Roche-en-Ardenne during the Second World War – said that although the search was progressing well he was surprised by the sparsity of naval crewmen on their growing list of names.
“We do not seem to have many sailors from the navy,” he said. “At present we have only found a handful but I am sure there are much more than that.
“Ruth Knight has trawled through military records in the War Graves Commission, Scottish National War Museum but in all of those there does not seem to be many local naval people – it’s a mystery.”
Mr Renouf speculated that there may have been an exemption on fishermen from enlisting in the navy which would explain the low numbers from Musselburgh.
“Either that or we just haven’t found them yet,” he added.
For that reason, Mr Renouf has appealed to local residents to come forward with details about loved ones who died in the Great War.
“We really need any of the relations of these people who were killed to give us their names,” he said.
“It’s surprising the number of people who still remember those who were killed in the First World War.
“The legacy that is left is very much treasured by families.”
It has been estimated that the likely figure is around 200 – approximately the same number that were killed in the Second World War.
Anyone with a name to add to the list is asked to write to Mr Renouf at 14 Windsor Gardens, Musselburgh, EH21 7LP.
Tom’s co-researcher, Ruth Knight, 70, spearheaded a drive to collate the names of all Musselburgh’s dead from the Second World War.
Inspiration came after visiting her brother’s grave in Reichswald Forest Cemetery in Germany 13 years ago.
On discovering that there was no comprehensive list of fallen Musselburgh soldiers she set about compiling an authoritative record.
The names of 214 fallen Musselburgh servicemen are now proudly displayed on the fountain plaque at Mall Avenue.
Mrs Knight was crowned Musselburgh Citizen of the Year for her endeavours in erecting the plaque honouring those who died on the battelfields.
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