2. Scotland’s Heroes
Remembrance Day is held on the 11th of November - the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. A two minute silence is always held at 11 a.m. to remember the millions who have died at war.

3. Scotland’s Heroes
Remembrance Day was first held in 1919, one year after the First World War ended. It is sometimes known as Armistice Day.

4. Scotland’s Heroes
On Remembrance Day, people will lay wreaths of poppies on statues and monuments to remember all the soldiers who died for us.

5. Scotland’s Heroes
Today, we are going to learn about two of Scotland’s First World War heroes, Joseph Watt and Robert McBeath.

6. Scotland’s Heroes
Joseph Watt was born in 1887 in Gardenstown, Banffshire.
During the First World War, Watt was the captain of a small navy boat.
On 15th May, 1917, Watt and his crew were in the Adriatic Sea on the lookout for any suspicious activity.

7. Scotland’s Heroes
On this patrol, they came across an enemy ship. The captain of the ship demanded that Watt and his crew surrender.

8. Watt had a crew of only eight men and a dog but refused to surrender.
Scotland’s Heroes
Watt had a crew of only eight men and a dog but refused to surrender.
He ordered his men to attack with, “Three cheers lads and let’s fight to the finish.”
Other boats followed their example and attacked the enemy ship, causing it to turn back.
Although Watt’s boat was badly damaged, it rescued the crew of many other British ships.

9. It is the highest honour.
Scotland’s Heroes
Watt was awarded the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is awarded for acts of bravery.
It is the highest honour.
“The Victoria Cross” by zaphad1 is licensed under CC by 2.0

10. Robert McBeath was born in Kinlochbervie, Sutherland in 1898.
Scotland’s Heroes
Robert McBeath was born in Kinlochbervie, Sutherland in 1898.
When the First World War began, McBeath was just 16. He lied about his age in order to join the Seaforth Highlanders.

11. Scotland’s Heroes
At the age of 19, McBeath fought in the Battle of Cambrai (pictured) in France. The Seaforth Highlanders were under heavy attack from German machine guns.
McBeath volunteered to attack the gunners alone. He managed to force the gunners back into a deep dugout. He captured three officers and 30 men.
“Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S12137”
by German Federal Archives is licensed under CC by 3.0

12. Scotland’s Heroes For this bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
After the First World War ended, he and his wife emigrated to Canada.
McBeath started a new life in Vancouver, where he joined the Vancouver Police Department.

13. In 1922, while arresting a motorist, McBeath was shot and killed.
Scotland’s Heroes
In 1922, while arresting a motorist, McBeath was shot and killed.
He was only 23 years old.
At the time, McBeath’s funeral was the biggest ever known in Vancouver with people lining the streets.

14. Scotland’s Heroes
These are only two of the 74 brave Scottish Victoria Cross winners from the First World War.
“The Victoria Cross” by zaphad1 is licensed under CC by 2.0