I ENJOYED Alex Burns's Those were the days... feature ("Remembrance service: The High School of Glasgow, 1958”, the Herald, March 12). You might find the following anecdote of interest:
In 1954 I was a 14-year-old in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at the old High School of Glasgow in Elmbank Street. We were all in uniform for a parade in the school playground. It was part of a service to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the First World War, probably around Armistice Day. As a private I was at the rear. There were two Army officers going round the ranks inspecting the boys. The school janitors were also lined up at the rear beside me in their janitor uniforms. All were ex-servicemen and had their medals on display. The leading officer passed me then went over to the towards the janitors. He did a sort of double take at the head janitor and said: "My goodness I did not expect to see one of these. What is your name and how did you get it?" The head janitor replied: "Driver Luke, Sir. Mons 1914". The officer said: "I thought you were dead" and turned to the other officer and remarked: "We have a painting in the officers' mess of this man.” He then shook him by the hand and had a chat with him.
The headmaster came up, wondering why the officers were spending so much time talking to the janitor. The officer turned to the headmaster and said: "It has been my privilege to shake the hand of one of the bravest men in the British Army. This man won the Victoria Cross saving the guns at Mons aged 18. The same age as some of the boys on parade today. He is one of the great war heroes of the First World War."
Fredrick Luke was the head janitor at the High School of Glasgow and lived in one of the janitors' houses in Holland Street. He was a very quiet, unassuming man. For a time he was the oldest living VC. He died aged 87 and was interred at Linn Crematorium. Shortly before his death he was at the Royal Artillery Le Cateau battery – named after the incident – where the soldiers manning this unit were able to meet him.
Eric Flack,
70 Crawford Drive,
Glasgow.
I TOTALLY agree with Gill and John Maclean Letters, March 10) that Jane Haining should receive more honour in her own country. I am always surprised when I hear people say that they have no knowledge of her or the supreme sacrifice she made in 1944. Her story is not widespread throughout the education system.
There are several memorials in Budapest and the Jewish nation has named her “Righteous Among the Nations". Dunscore Parish Church, where Jane worshipped as a child, has recently opened a Heritage Museum with numerous items relating and belonging to Jane.
More should certainly be done in Scotland.
Morag White,
4 Vere Road,
Blackwood,
Lanark.
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