Lasting tribute to Kirkcaldy VC hero

A fitting tribute to observe an act of valour, 100 years ago to the day, has been paid to a former Kirkcaldy man.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT

Robert Dunsire VC, whose bravery is being commemorated 100 years after his gallant conduct at the Battle of Loos

A memorial stone was unveiled on Saturday during a special ceremony to honour to Robert Dunsire, who received the Victoria Cross – the British armed services’ highest award for gallantry – for his heroic exploits at the Battle of Loos.

The commemoration took place in Buckhaven, where Dunsire was born, although he lived in Kirkcaldy.

A former miner, he enlisted in the 13th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) six months after war broke out.

On September 26, 1915, while under heavy enemy fire, he went out in the battlefield twice to rescue two comrades.

He was hailed as a hero and received the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace – but in January 1916, aged 24, he was fatally injured by a German trench mortar.

Dunsire’s great, great nephew, Johnny Miller, unveiled the memorial at Toll Park, Muiredge, preceded by a service at Buckhaven and Wemyss Parish Church.