Lieutenant Robert Weir

Lieutenant Robert Weir, 1st/8th ( Territorial ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France during the Battle of the Somme on 16th November 1916, aged 29, during the successful attack and capture of Beaumont Hamel by the 51st (Highland Division). He had been born in Gilnockie Schoolhouse, Dumfriesshire in 1886 and was the son of William and Jane Weir of “Roselea”, Oxton and is buried in Beaumont Hamel British Cemetery, Somme, France. His Headstone is inscribed “Abide with Me”. He had been a school teacher in Falkirk and Dalkeith before becoming headmaster at Channelkirk in October 1912.  He was commissioned on the outbreak of War and landed in France in November 1914. He was promoted Lieutenant in June 1915. The 1st/8th Royal Scots was the Pioneer Battalion in the Division from 19th August 1915. The colour photograph shows the impressive Memorial raised to commemorate the fallen of the 51st ( Highland ) Division of which the Battalion was part. It was erected overlooking “Y” Ravine in Newfoundland Park on the Somme which was taken when the Division stormed and captured Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916. A Plaque on the Memorial reads in both English and Gaelic ” Friends Are Good On the Day Of Battle “. ( His brother john also fell – see above ). The photos show troops on the Somme and the colour image shows a peaceful Somme landscape today.