The museum was delighted to be recently gifted military service awards that once belonged to Fort William soldier, Alexander Finlayson Beaton. The medals were donated by his daughter Maggie Hardy (nee Beaton) and granddaughter Tracy Anderson. The World War II military service medals and badge were awarded to most servicing military personnel, but what makes these medals so special is the fascinating and detailed story that comes along with them. Beaton’s granddaughter, Tracy Anderson, has meticulously researched her grandfather’s story and gifted this along with digitised photographs to the museum.
Born in Fort William on 22 March 1922, Beaton worked at the local aluminium smelter before the War and in his 20s met his wife, Mary Anne Budge who hailed from the Isle of Skye, but was working in the Corpach Hotel. Their son was born in Fort William on Christmas Eve 1938. Beaton was a member of the Territorial Army with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and with conflict looming left Fort William in Spring 1939 to train ahead of the outbreak of war. Beaton was sent to France in 1940 with the 8th Battalion and fought against the German invasion. He was captured at St Blimont about six miles from St Valery-sur-Somme and spent the rest of the war in captivity.
The biographical account provided by his granddaughter illustrates in great detail Beaton’s wartime experiences, including the fact that he was twice disadvantaged by the fact he was unable to speak Gaelic. During the march into captivity in 1940 he was friendly with the now famous “Ballachulish three” who escaped the Germans by speaking Gaelic. He was invited to join the escape party, but declined because he could not communicate in Gaelic.
After he became a POW, his wife Anne relocated to Skye with baby Neil. Neil was raised a Gaelic speaker and could not understand his English speaking father when he returned to Scotland after the war.
The medals will soon be on display in our military exhibition in Room 8 at the museum. The awards are (L-R in image below) the World War II Star Medal, the King’s Badge for Loyal Service, and the World War II Medal.
You can read Alexander Finlayson Beaton’s full story on our blog “Grandpa Beaton’s World War II Story”
