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Tam · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:44 pm Post subject:

Well said Embow, thank you Andy and all the team.
Lest We Forget

Biggles · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2157

Has Jimmy Frew ever been mentioned on this thread? He didn't play for Rovers but was a local lad (born in Kinghorn) and played for Hearts and a few other clubs. He enlisted in McCrae's battalion and survived the war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Frew

embow · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:33 pm Post subject:

I'm fairly sure that he will be remembered along with the other original Hearts players anytime commemoration takes place.
It's a horrible fact though that sometimes the survivors (despite putting their lives on the line) tend to feature less than the fallen in acts of remembrance.
It shouldn't be the case, but unfortunately it can be.
Please be assured I'm not suggesting for one minute that this applies to Jimmy Frew.

Regarding the photo.
If you count the number of players you'll see there's one short. The missing man (whose name escapes me!) had apparently to attend lectures at the university and couldn't join his teammates.
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embow · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:25 pm Post subject:

Duly confirmed this afternoon that this year's trip has been cancelled. The logistics are just not possible to work out given the future is as yet totally uncertain.
Unfortunate, but entirely sensible.
Just need to look forward to 2022 and meantime hope everyone keeps well and healthy on both sides of La Manche.

Update on July 2021 Pilgrimage
It is with profound regret that McCrae’s Battalion Trust announces the cancellation of the 2021 pilgrimage to Contalmaison.

With the situation remaining uncertain, and especially since much of France remains closed, curfewed or difficult to access, to undertake complex logistic arrangements at this moment is simply too great a challenge. Although a disappointing decision, the safety and wellbeing of our travellers, and our friends in France, remains paramount.

The Trust will maintain a watching brief on the developing situation, and if it is achievable, a scaled down ‘mini’ pilgrimage may be a possibility later in the year.

In the event that this proves impossible, then we are committed to re-launching our annual visit to France in June/July 2022 – to coincide with the formal unveiling of our new ‘Gary Tait and Patricia Leroy’ memorial bench.
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embow · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:19 pm Post subject:

Just to confirm that our club will be represented at this year's ceremony on Friday in Contalmaison.
I'm on my way, and, as in times past, who knows who of a Rovers persuasion might also appear on the day.🤞 🙂
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scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 8972 Location: Almost Dysart.

Good for you MB👍
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Tam · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:40 pm Post subject:

Well done Embow

embow · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2023 9:39 pm Post subject:

As per usual I'll be heading out in a couple of weeks to Contalmaison to represent the club in the ceremonies. As well as the laying of the wreath at the cairn there will be an unveiling of a memorial bench commemorating the lives of the former chair of McCrea's Battalion Trust, Lt Col Gary Tait and the late lady mayor of Contalmaison, Patricia LeRoy who passed away within a few weeks of each other in 2019. In both cases they succumbed to cancer.
Things will be a bit more poignant for me as some of you will have seen the funeral arrangements for Harry Gould (Markinch) in today's Courier. Harry was a die hard Rovers man. In recent times Harry, his brother Bryan and Jim Miller would roll into the village on the morning of the 1st July to witness the ceremony. I eventually persuaded Harry, despite his great reluctance, to accompany me to lay the wreath in 2017 & 18.
The year (2016 ) that Davie Hancock cycled out to the Somme sticks in my memory. The villagers who witnessed this phenomenal feat still speak about it. I'm the proud owner of a photo of all of us lined up with Davie's daughter, Mollie, at the cairn which is still used as the lock screen on my computer. Davie and I are suited and booted. The other three proudly wearing their RemembeR tops.
I'm going to miss looking out for Harry (and the others) this year.
A report on everything will appear later, probably a programme piece around Remembrance Sunday weekend or the nearest home game to it.
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Cuparman · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1666 Location: Irvine

wellyboot · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 2283 Location: Aberdeenshire

This an incredible story which I feel is overlooked or forgotten at times. Credit to you Embow and others who are involved

Wolfman Jack · Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 10:47 am Post subject:

https://twitter.com/JamTarts/status/1675067557802328067?s=20
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Hope he's got plenty Rovers action to comment on tonight....

embow · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:53 am Post subject:

I'll get round to getting some photos on the way as soon as possible. Things went very well yesterday and off on a battlefield trip today on which I'm very fortunate to be able to represent a local family at a wreath laying.
The one wee downside is that I am sharing a room, bus seat etc, with a Pars man!ðŸ˜„
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Long time fan · Joined: 18 Jan 2022 Posts: 71 Location: Kirkcaldy

Heilan Rover · Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 534 Location: Lorient

embow · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:31 am Post subject:

Last reference for this year.
Just a little link for anyone interested.
The name Raith Rovers is cast into the plaque just above the lady Maire Jocelyn's head and our wreath appears in the photo between the two of them.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13769/friendship-celebrated-in-contalmaisonh
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