We have been contacted by a French group as follows -
"We are members of "Histoire & Patrimoine", an historical association. We are also members of a WW1, WW2 Scottish re-enacting group called "Flanders Jocks". I have been looking for the story of my farm for 10 years. The farm is in a small hamlet named "Le Thieushouck" (a Flanders name) in the village of Flêtre. When I bought it in 1997, the former owners said to me that the barn had been bombed in 1918 (the house too), and I found bullets and a bayonet. A few months later, a friend of mine, a neighbour, gave me an extract from the "Battalion War Diary of the 7th Seaforth Highlanders". During the battle (German bombing) of Meteren and Bailleul in June 1918, I understood from this document, that 7 soldiers of "B company" were killed by the bombing 6th June 1918, dying on my farm. I realized that it was my farm as it was the only one bombed in 1918, and because of the relics found), but we didn't get their names, and so didn't know where they were buried. Last April 2010 François Xavier found 30 Seaforth Highlanders soldiers graves in Caëstre military cemetery, a small village near Flêtre, 7 of the 30 were killed on 6th June 1918. So, we decided to contact their descendants and honour their memories, first by the creation of a Scottish re-enacting group, and now by the organization of a ceremony. We're looking for any information about these men. Do you think, it's possible for you to help us, to find information about their descendants? We want to organize a ceremony for all of them." It would appear that Andrew Scott Greig was one of the men and I wondered if you would care to share any information you have about living relatives. Regards Alistair We'll manage to organize this ceremony on Sunday 10th June 2012. It depends on our research results. It will be a ceremony with family members, Scottish re-enactors, and perhaps French authorities. A French pipe band, the "Somme Battlefield Pipe Band" will be there too. During this ceremony, we want to inaugurate a Dingwall plate with the 7 names (and French/English text). We hope to realize this wonderful project with you and all the families. We're looking for any information about the descendants of 3 of them.
CONSTABLE William Marr
Lance Corporal
Service Number: S/23861
30 years old
Son of George McRitchie Constable & Isabella Marr Constable, from Musselburgh, Edinburgh; Husband of Margaret Constable 9, Meadowbank Avenue, Edinburgh.
FOX Charles F.
Private
Service Number: 203147
41 years old
Son of Henry & Anna Fox from Edinburgh
GREIG Andrew Scott
Private
Service Number: S/3205
30 years old
Son of James & Helen Greig, 21, Dalmeny Street, Leith"
I have so far found a little more information about them as follows -
William Marr Constable was the first son of George McRitchie Constable, a Joiner, and Isabella Marr Constable, of 2 Willowbrae Road, Edinburgh. His younger brother, George, was born in 1894, worked as a Lift Attendant and joined the Queen's own Cameron Highlanders on 5 January 1912. William paid £18 to obtain his brother's release from the Army in April 1914. George subsequently enlisted in The Gordon Highlanders. Sisters were Isabella, born 1892, and Jane, born 1897
Charles F Fox was the younger son of John Henry Fox, a Butcher's Assistant, and Hannah Fox, of 33 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh. Siblings were Louis Henry, born 1875, Mina D, born 1876, Emily Louisa, born 1877, Mary C, born 1881, Edith Eliza, born 1886, Rose P, born 1889, Kosima, born 1891, Anna, born 1892, Sarah, born 1894, Agnes, born 1896 and Alice, born 1899. Both parents, Louis Henry, Mina, Emily Louisa and Charles appear to have been born in Germany.
Andrew Scott Greig was the younger son of James Greig, a Joiner, and Helen Greig, of 21 Dalmeny Street, Leith. Siblings were George, born 1879, Jane B, born 1881 and Jemima, born 1886.
If by chance anyone is a relative or knows one, I will pass this on to the French people.
