3597: Willie Camerson, an A & S Highlander, killed at the Somme

online resource

posted on 2024-01-15, 08:31 authored by Lest We Forget Project Team

William Beresford Cameron was in the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 33rd Division. He was conscripted, went to France in January 1916, and was killed at the Battle of the Somme in August 1916 (he was hit and injured while the Division was moving up to High Wood).

Willie's descendant is creating a record of his service, bringing together artefacts kept safe over the years. When at the front, he kept in touch by sending souvenir cushions to his sisters, and postcards with messages covered in kisses. His mother never recovered from the shock of losing her son when he was only 19.

In one of the photographs, Willie's sister is pictured wearing her brother's uniform.

History

Name of contributor(s)

Jennifer Smith

Subject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to

William Cameron

Date(s) the event(s) in the story took place

1916

Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place

Somme

Object(s)

Photographs of the contributor's great uncle, William Cameron (one in uniform and one in 'civvies'). Also a photograph of William's sister Mai (?) in her brother's uniform. Also: memorial card, souvenir cushions sent to the family, pass, postcards.