Today, we went to Knadgerhill Cemetery in Irvine, Ayrshire, to meet the brother of Guardsman David Malcolmson, who was the last British serviceman to be killed in The Falklands War and Eddie B who survived the war. 

David was killed in the final hour of battle, The Battle of Tumbledown Mountain to be precise.

David’s brother Gordon is a huge Celtic fan like David was, taking his brother's place in the Battalion after his death.

Gordon explained what happened that day along with Eddie who was involved in the Battle.

David and his fellow Scots Guards comrade, Guardsman James Reynolds, were stretcher beaters, trying to get a wounded soldier down the mountain. David and James exchanged places carrying the stretcher with 2 fellow guardsmen. Within a minute or so, they were hit by a mortar round, James was killed instantly, David died a few minutes later. The fellow stretcher bearers David and James exchanged places with survived.

That, very sadly is how fate works

God Bless these young men ♥ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

Gordon tweeted a few minutes ago saying he was overwhelmed with the love and support shown by people today, thanking those at the graveside.

Football rivalries mean SFA when it comes to respect ♥

The only sour thing was the single malt we raised a glass to David and Jim with from the limited edition hip flask which Gordon has, I'm not a whisky drinker 😂  

Lovely stuff.

Just been up in the Highlands, and another visit to a distillery. 

Arguably the best we've been too and wonderful service. 

Nice one Balblair.

I concur though- I can't stand the stuff.

 

3 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Lovely stuff.

Just been up in the Highlands, and another visit to a distillery. 

Arguably the best we've been too and wonderful service. 

Nice one Balblair.

I concur though- I can't stand the stuff.

 

Vile isn't it mate ? After 6 ciders and loads of vodka, I can still taste it ☺ 

Hope you've had a good time up here, I'm back home tomorrow then back up here on Thursday 

2 hours ago, miamiwhite said:

Today, we went to Knadgerhill Cemetery in Irvine

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

8 minutes ago, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

Very sorry to hear that, thoughts with you ♥ 

We know a few who served in The Scots Guards and spoke to David’s brother in private recently, we just went to pay our respects and give his family support.

A lot of the Scots Guards are in Blackpool tomorrow for the annual memorial service

Sorry to hear that Sweep and DBP. All the best fellas. 

7 hours ago, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

So sorry for you and your Daz's loss pal

I also visit  Graves but of VC Winners 

there is one in Leigh 

Alfred Wilkingson  Won it in 1918  but he Died in a Pit in 1940 

and back of City's ground 

i Went and Cleaned one 

William Jones Won his VC at  RORKES DRIFT 

 

There is Francis Jefferson from Bolton  no Grave had the VC stolen in the 80s

never been found

1 hour ago, little whitt said:

So sorry for you and your Daz's loss pal

I also visit  Graves but of VC Winners 

there is one in Leigh 

Alfred Wilkingson  Won it in 1918  but he Died in a Pit in 1940 

and back of City's ground 

i Went and Cleaned one 

William Jones Won his VC at  RORKES DRIFT 

 

There is Francis Jefferson from Bolton  no Grave had the VC stolen in the 80s

never been found

The one in Bolton, Francis Jefferson, there's a small memorial plaque at Overdale.

The day he threw himself under the train, was the day Bolton beat Newcastle 3-1. I read an article where he'd been to the game then killed himself later 200 yards from his mum's house on Luton St where he was staying 

Just now, miamiwhite said:

Sergeant Robert Downie VC MM, he ended up as groundsman and turnstile operator at Parkhead

15 hours ago, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

Sincere condolences mate.

I am convinced there is no after life but if I am wrong I hope all of the brave souls mentioned above get the best of it.

8 hours ago, miamiwhite said:

The one in Bolton, Francis Jefferson, there's a small memorial plaque at Overdale.

The day he threw himself under the train, was the day Bolton beat Newcastle 3-1. I read an article where he'd been to the game then killed himself later 200 yards from his mum's house on Luton St where he was staying 

Bring up the PIAT!

18 hours ago, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

Very sorry to hear that. Condolences 

23 hours ago, miamiwhite said:

Today, we went to Knadgerhill Cemetery in Irvine, Ayrshire, to meet the brother of Guardsman David Malcolmson, who was the last British serviceman to be killed in The Falklands War and Eddie B who survived the war. 

David was killed in the final hour of battle, The Battle of Tumbledown Mountain to be precise.

David’s brother Gordon is a huge Celtic fan like David was, taking his brother's place in the Battalion after his death.

Gordon explained what happened that day along with Eddie who was involved in the Battle.

David and his fellow Scots Guards comrade, Guardsman James Reynolds, were stretcher beaters, trying to get a wounded soldier down the mountain. David and James exchanged places carrying the stretcher with 2 fellow guardsmen. Within a minute or so, they were hit by a mortar round, James was killed instantly, David died a few minutes later. The fellow stretcher bearers David and James exchanged places with survived.

That, very sadly is how fate works

God Bless these young men ♥ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

My Mum used to talk about fate..and I used to argue with her that it was a "lazy" attitude and you needed to "make your luck".

Her Dad survived the trenches then her husband fought in Normandy and beyond and both somehow came back.

Now in later years I understand more....Twists and turns out of your control dictate your lot and you need to roll with the punches... but for the traffic jam at Gosport Alf's tank would have been part of the slaughter and how on earth did my wife's dad fly 50 missions in Lancs when the expectancy was 2 weeks...he claimed the luftwafe just kept missing.

Fate does my head in to be honest, I would be really pissed off to catch a bullet on the day before the big party... this year we celebrated VE Day 3 days early... Dad's unit were still taking casualties on the Elbe then

no fate but what we make

 

On 15/06/2025 at 06:03, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

Sorry to hear this, condolences Chris and Daz 

On 15/06/2025 at 00:03, Sweep said:

Out of interest, why? 

I ask, because my own father, an army veteran, died this week. A hero, my hero, and I think I might find it odd if someone he didn't know, visited his grave. 

I'm honestly not having a pop, I just wonder the thought process. Unless you knew the person you visited

 

I'm so sorry for your loss Sweep. I can empathise and am sending my respects to your Dad and best wishes for you and your family