Newbattle's tribute to brave men
The names of two forgotten soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Great War have been added to a Newbattle memorial.
Corporal Robert Beveridge, 12th Royal Scots and Gunner Vasiliy Nikitenko MM, 60th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, both had a connection to Newtongrange, and died tragically in action.
A poignant ceremony, which saw a plaque bearing their names added to the memorial at Newbattle Parish Church, was attended by more than 60 people.
Rev Monika Redman, who suggested having their names added to the memorial, said: "It has been a privilege to be a part of ensuring that the sacrifice of two brave local men is now rightfully remembered."
The plaque was unveiled by military historian John Duncan, following a showing of the film A Soldiers Return – documenting the life of Beveridge. Mr Duncan described the unveiling as "a tremendous honour, and one which I will remember for the rest of my days."
Nikitenko, a Ukrainian immigrant to Newtongrange, was killed in May 1918, just six months before the end of the war.
Beveridge was born in the tiny hamlet of Masterton, just outside Newtongrange, in 1893. He was killed in 1917 after the 12th Royal Scots were detailed to attack a series of machine gun posts in Belgium.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Dalkeith
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
