North-east sea cadets paraded through Fraserburgh for a double celebration yesterday, marking the achievements of local Victoria Cross winner Joseph Watt.
The World War I hero was awarded the VC for his part in a fierce battle on May 15, 1917 when his tiny fishing boat was attacked by the 424ft Austrian cruiser Novara.
Earlier this month a commemoration of Mr Watt’s life and achievements was held in Bracoden.
And yesterday Fraserburgh’s Gowanlea Sea Cadet unit, named after the fishing vessel which fought the Novara, turned out in the town to pay their respects.
The chairman of the unit’s management committee, Alister Burgess, said: “The reason for the parade itself was to commemorate the memory of Joseph Watt. He won a VC in WWI and I believe he was the only fisherman to receive a VC during the war.
“He lived in Fraserburgh and his vessel the Gowanlea is what our unit is named after.”
Yesterday’s parade began at the British Legion branch and ended at Saltoun Square where there was a ceremony.”
During the event the unit was also received colours from Rear Admiral Chris Hockley.
“It was a double celebration really,” Mr Burgess said. “One for VC Joe, as we know him, and one for our unit colours. We had a mixture of our cadets, air and army cadets and members of other sea cadet units.
“It was sort of a unification.”
