A NEW war memorial for two local heroes, who received the Victoria Cross 100 years ago, was unveiled in Tillicoultry over the weekend.
As the Advertiser reported earlier, Corporal James Lennox Dawson and Corporal James Dalglish Pollock received the award for their bravery at Hohenzollern Redoubt in France during the First WorldGreat War and are currently featured in an exhibition at the Speirs Centre.
On Sunday (27 September), the memorial was officially unveiled for the two brave men – who were second cousins from the Hillfoots town – at the grassy area by the High Street and Bank Street.
Lt Col Johnny Stewart, Clackmannanshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, was at the ceremony.
He and told the Advertiser: “I was so pleased to be present and take part in the unveiling of the memorial stones for second cousins James Pollock and James Dawson in Tillicoultry on a beautiful sunny autumn Sunday afternoon.
“There was a good turnout of family, services and residents to remember the actions of these local heroes, who risked all for their friends and their country in the Battle of Loos in the autumn of 1915.
“To have two Victoria Cross holders born in Tillicoultry is extraordinary and the stones will be a fitting memorial to their extreme bravery, which was made very clear when hearing their citations read out on Sunday.”
Local MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, was also at the event to mark the centenary of the awards.
She said: “I was privileged to attend the event organised by Clackmannanshire Council this weekend to honour the bravery of Corporal James Pollock and Corporal James Dawson.
“I was particularly glad to see young and old members of our community joining together in this act of commemoration. 
“These gallant men from Tillicoultry each received the Victoria Cross for the individual acts of heroism they showed one hundred years ago which saved the lives of many of their comrades, and so I was grateful to have this chance to remember them and deeds they carried out in France to protect us all.”