The detailed diary of the heroics of a Seaforth Highlander who escaped through France following capture at St Valery is serving as inspiration for his great-nephew as he honours the event 80 years on.
Giles Nevill, who himself served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders from 1985 to 1994, is to recreate the escape route taken by his great uncle, Brigadier Ronnie Mackintosh-Walker, who escaped his German captors during the Second World War.
Brigadier Mackintosh-Walker joined the Seaforth Highlanders at the Battle of the Somme in July, 1916, as a lieutenant when he was aged just 18.
He was awarded three Military Crosses for exceptional courage and bravery in the face of the enemy, all by the time he was 19.
He survived the First World War before and returned to action during the Second World War, only for he and the 51st Highland Division to be captured in northern France at St Valery.
Brigadier Mackintosh-Walker escaped as the troops were marched across northern France, making his break for freedom near Lille and therafter taking to cycle to pedal his way down to Marseille, before crossing over the Pyrenees and into Spain.
He would later return home to Scotland via Portugal and was soon back in the fray.
As he commanded 227 Highland Brigade on the breakout from the Normandy beaches shortly after D-Day, Brigadier Mackintosh-Walker was killed on July 16, 1944, aged 46, at Baron-sur-Odon.
He was one of the most senior officers to be killed in action in the Second World War and was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Service Order for exceptional leadership.
Brigadier Mackintosh-Walker is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Hottot-Les-Bagues in Normandy.
His great-nephew, who is now 56 and himself served in Belfast and Bosnia, will visit St Valery today to commemorate the capture of the 10,000.
He will lay an item of remembrance at the 51st Highland Division Memorial that overlooks St Valery.
Captain Nevill is able to undertake the feat as restrictions have been lifted in France allowing him to travel from his home in the south of the country, where he runs a family holiday business.
After marking the anniversary, he will follow his uncle’s heroic route, cycling an average of 80 miles each day, departing on Saturday morning.
He is fundraising for Veterans With Dogs, the first charity in the UK to provide and train assistance dogs for veterans suffering from mental health conditions.
Captain Nevill said the endeavour will be “seriously demanding” but is “a challenge worthy of my Great Uncle”.
He added that he is “proud and honoured” to remember the men at St Valery.
Donations towards Captain Nevill’s cycle can be made at www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/gilesnevillcycle.
