Selkirk player’s medal comes to Philiphaugh

Duncan Murray, into whose care the medal recently came, said he was happy to see Lieutenant Beattie’s Military Cross returned to Selkirk Rugby Club since “its connection links so strongly back into the community.”

The medal was be queathed by Jock Beattie’s son Robert, who was living in London when he passed away.

“A friend of my friend asked them to be his executor,” said Mr Murray, “as he had lost contact with any family.

“When things like this come up, it is a reminder of the terrible times that generation lived through. There were many battle fields in WW2 that were every bit as intense and deadly as any in WW1. A good deal of the fighting around Antwerp that KOSB were involved in, fell into that category.”

Selkirk Rugby Club president Jim Harold told the selkirkrfc.com website the club felt honoured to have been offered custody of Lieutenant Beattie’s Military Cross.

“It is extremely kind of Mr Murray to make this gesture,” said Mr Harold, “and I can assure him it is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club.

“Jock Beattie was a fine forward, playing in the Selkirk team that lifted the club’s very first Border League title in 1935, and he was also in the side that repeated that feat in 1938. His record of service in the Second World War is undoubtedly worth commemorating.”

In 2018, Mr Harold was the driving force behind the installation of a commem orative plaque at Philiphaugh honouring Selkirk RFC pla y ers and officials who lost their lives in two World Wars.