A navy man born in Cullen has finally been honoured in his home town for his bravery during World War II.
Ordinary Seaman Alex Ross died during a daring raid while stationed on a war ship disguised as a German destroyer, but his name never appeared on the Cullen War Memorial.
Yesterday, an engraver finally embedded his name on the stone – thanks to the efforts of Cullen man James George Addison.
Mr Addison, 85, a retired fisherman, discovered that the seaman had never been included on the roll of honour as he researched his short film Lest We Forget.
As his interest in the ‘forgotten’ fighter grew deeper, Mr Addison travelled to his grave in France where he sprinkled some soil from Cullen on his final resting place.
He also met with Stephen Beattie, Captain of HMS Campbeltown, on which the seaman served.
Yesterday, as Alex Ross was formally remembered, Mr Addison said: “I feel privileged to be able to honour him.”
Mr Ross was hand picked from a group of men to serve on the HMS Campbeltown, later modified to look like a German destroyer for the attacks on the dry docks at St Nazaire in France.
The explosives in the HMS Campbeltown detonated and the dry dock was destroyed on 28 March 1942.
Despite being declared a successful operation, there were heavy British casualties with 168 men killed and 214 taken as POW’s.
Ordinary Seaman Alex Ross was one of those killed, aged just 20. He had been in service less than a year.
Mr Ross had moved from Cullen with his parents to Aberdeen at the age of six. While his name appears on the war memorial at Torry, it was only yesterday that his link to Cullen was also remembered.
The engraving was paid for through the Common Good Fund.
Councillor Ron Shepherd (Independent), of Keith and Cullen ward, said: “I am delighted that after 70 years Alex Ross’s name is now on the Cullen memorial where he was born.
“I would like to congratulate James George for his work and the dedication on the work he has done researching the second world war and the excellent DVD he has produced.”