King's Own Scottish Borderers WW1 Soldier falsely presumed dead, remembered in Borders Church
A hundred years ago today, a man who served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers led a raid on two German trenches during WW1, which led to him falsely being presumed dead for three months.
Witnesses claimed they had seen 22-year-old Captain Hamish Weir Samson MC (Military Cross) fall in action during the Battle of Arras in northern France, which claimed 18,000 Scottish lives.
His body was never found, but his father John Samson, who was then managing partner of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries, continued hoping his "gallant" son was alive.
The family continued exchanging letters and telegrams with the War office and Spanish Consul about news of their son.
One letter signed by the commander of the 6th Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers said:
On 22nd July 1917, the family were informed that Captain Samson had been killed. However, barely a few days later, they received news that 'Sammy' had only been captured and was being held in a hospital in south-west Germany. He had been shot in the side and in the arm.
On 27th July 1917, the family received a letter from Captain Samson himself:
He eventually returned to his family home, Glaisnock House in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland in December 1918.
To celebrate, his father, John Samson, donated towards the building extension of The Chancel at St Brides's Church in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
The Chancel was constructed in from 1929-1930, with oak panels and a stained glass window. It has has a plaque on a wall giving thanks to the Glory of God for the "preservation" of the soldier's life. The soldier is also mentioned on a roll of honour hanging on a wall at the front of the church, alongside all other men from the Sanquhar area who fought in the Great War.
The Battle of Arras is believed to have had the highest concentration of Scottish troops fighting in a single battle during World War One.
Upon his return, Captain Samson worked at his father's mining company before training as a stockbroker.
He was married and had two children.
During the Second World War, Captain Samson served in the Home Guard in Inverness. He later moved to the south of England, passing away in Hove, Sussex in 1971, at the age of 76.
The Church of Scotland says the Chancel at St Brides's Church is a symbol of Captain Samson's return and it has a unique place in Scottish history.
The church congregation is currently trying to raise money towards re-roofing the building, costing around £280,000. They have received an initial grant of £5,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.