East Lothian Courier | News | Tribute to a fallen hero

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 08:15

Tribute to a fallen hero

A TRANENT-BORN soldier was honoured with a place on the town’s war memorial during an emotional ceremony last Thursday – the 91st anniversary of his death in battle during the First World War.

Community councillors, elected officials and local residents gathered in Winton Place as a specially cast bronze plaque, bearing the name of Private Robert Liddle Kilgour, was added to the town’s war memorial.

Killed in action, aged 24 on July 31 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres at Boesinghe – commonly known as Passchendaele – Robert Kilgour was born in Station Cottage, Elphinstone Road, in 1892.

His life and death were uncovered by amateur historian Robert Lawson, who enlisted the aid of East Lothian Council and Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council to ensure that after a 91-year absence, Pte Kilgour was given a place on the ‘wayside cross’ memorial.

Also attending last week’s ceremony were Pte Kilgour’s nephew Robert – named after the uncle he never knew – niece Agnes Grant, and her son Stewart.

Following the tribute to his uncle, Mr Kilgour MBE, a former Pipe Major, said: “I was not even a baby when Uncle Bobby was killed.

“I’m extremely grateful that I can now come to Tranent and see his name on the war memorial.”

Agnes added: “I appreciate this very much and it’s wonderful that he is being remembered in this way after all this time.

“I knew all about the Tranent connections as we have visited the local cemetery where the Kilgours are buried.”

Retired minister and Tranent resident Bill Armitage delivered a sermon for onlookers at the war memorial, accompanied by a performance from John Fraser, of the Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band.

Mr Fraser has previously played at the grave of Robert Kilgour, in Artillery Wood Cemetery, north of Ypres.

Mrs Grant, Mr Kilgour and Mr Lawson were presented with gifts by community councillor Paul Johnson in Tranent Day Centre, where refreshments were served after the ceremony.

Fa’side councillor Donald Grant, who played a key role in the erection of the plaque after being contacted by Mr Lawson last November, said: “I’m very glad that this has come to fruition.

He added that another four spaces had been created on the memorial, “in case any other fallen heroes come to the fore”.

Community council chairman Raymond Strang said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege for the community council to host this event.”

Nearly 600,000 men were killed during the Battle of Passchaendale, which is known to historians as one of the bloodiest of the four-year conflict.

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