THE sister of a Scottish soldier killed during the four year Cyprus Emergency accepted an Elizabeth Cross on his behalf yesterday. Private John Lindop Beattie was just 19 when he died in an explosion during a football game more than 60 years ago.
He had been deployed to Cyprus as part of peace keeping efforts on the island in 1956 and was having an off-duty kick-about with fellow servicemen when a bomb at a nearby water fountain went off.
One man died instantly and Beattie succumbed to his injuries in hospital, as did one other soldier.
Yesterday his sister Jean Andrew accepted the Elizabeth Cross in recognition of his death. The award is given to families of armed forces personnel who have died on operations or in an act of terrorism.
Jean, 73, was just 12 when her brother died at a military hospital in Nicosia. The teenager, from Glasgow, served in the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry and was buried on the island before his body was repatriated thanks to the fundraising efforts of friends and family.
At Glasgow City Chambers, Jean said: “I remember all the friends and neighbours collecting with big milk tins in the dance halls to get the money to bring his body home. Nobody had anything in those days.
“We went to the Highland Light Infantry HQ in Sauchiehall Street to try and get my brother brought home and found out, because he was non-commissioned, they couldn’t do anything. So we had to find the money ourselves.
“My mother was in a terrible state. She turned into an old woman overnight. She took to her bed. She never really got over losing her oldest boy.”
Margaret Moncur, whose brother Private Matthew Neely also died in the incident, was in attendance at yesterday’s service.
She accepted the medal in a ceremony last year and the women will now try to trace the family of the third victim Private Ben Doherty.
Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “It’s important that families of these soldiers do receive some recognition of their service.
“Conflict visits great costs on everyone who loses a loved one. It’s my honour and pleasure to be able to present the Elizabeth Cross.
“I know that it’s a source of great pride and comfort to surviving family members.”
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