53684 David Scrymgeour WEDDERBURN, DSO, Cdg. 1 Scots Guards: 01/03/1944

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, May 21, 2020.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 53684
    Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
    Name: David Scrymgeour WEDDERBURN, DSO
    Unit: Scots Guards


    London Gazette: 2 September 1932
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33860/page/5623/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the Royal Military College, to be 2nd Lts. 1st Sept. 1932: —
    FOOT GUARDS.
    S. G'ds
    David Scrymgeour WEDDERBURN.

    London Gazette: 30 July 1937
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34422/page/4881/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    S. G'ds.—
    Lt. D. S. Wedderburn is seed, whilst holding the appt. of Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester. 16th Apr. 1937.

    London Gazette: 3 September 1940
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34936/supplement/5328/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    The undermentioned Lts. to be Capts. 1st Sept. 1940:—
    D. S. Wedderburn (53684)

    London Gazette: 13 June 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36563/supplement/2851/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy —
    The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) David Scrymgeour Wedderburn (53684), Scots Guards (Dummer, Hants) (since died of wounds) (to be dated 29th February, 1944).
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
    Name Wedderburn, David Scrymgeour
    Rank: Major
    Service No: P/53684
    Regiment: 1 Battalion Scots Guards
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
    Award: Distinguished Service Order
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 June 1944
    Date 1944
    Catalogue reference WO 373/6
     

    Attached Files:

  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Casualty
    Lieutenant Colonel DAVID SCRYMGEOUR WEDDERBURN
    Service Number 53684
    Died 01/03/1944
    Aged 31
    Cdg. 1st Bn. Scots Guards
    D S O
    Son of Henry and Edith Scrymgeour Wedderburn; husband of Patricia Scrymgeour Wedderburn, of Birkhill, Cupar, Fife.
    INSCRIPTION: I WILL FEAR NO EVIL: FOR THOU ART WITH ME; THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME
    Buried at BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO
    Location: Italy
    Number of casualties: 2025
    Cemetery/memorial reference: VI. H. 1.
    See cemetery plan
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2020
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Scots Guards, Erskine, pg 226, Italy:1944
    [Anzio Beach-head]

    "Battalion Headquarters was in an almost oval glade with the officers' tents at one end, the tents of the Commanding Officer and Major McBarnett being sited to end near two outstandingly tall trees. At about five o'clock the Commanding Officer [Lt-Colonel D.S. Wedderburn, DSO] was talking outside his tent to Major Weir, when a shell came over and landed outside the clearing and in the direction of the road. A few seconds later Major McBarnet appeared with the news that this shell had severely wounded Lieutenant J.W. Stuart-Menteth. On hearing this Captain Ross left his tent and started towards the Commanding Officer. At the same time Lieutenants BUTLER and L.E. Widderson approached the group to announce their success in finding a NAAFI. At that moment two shells landed in the tent area, and, it is thought, hit the tall trees, which turned them into air bursts.

    Major McBarnet, Major Weir, Lieutenant BUTLER, Lieutenant Widderson, and Corporal Wood, the Commanding Officer's driver, were all killed, The Commanding Officer, who had just gone back into his tent, received critical injuries, and Captain Ross and his driver and RQMS Watts were also wounded.

    For a time hopes held out that the Commanding Officer might recover. But on the following evening he grew worse, and shortly after midnight, in the midst of a heavy air-raid, he died."
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2020
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    See also
    15271 Walter Douglas FAULKNER, MC, 1 Irish Guards


    Walter Faulkner's widow Patricia Katherine went on to marry David Scrymgeour-Wedderburn and then thirdly his brother Henry James Scrymgeour-Wedderburn. Her brother was Claude Andrew Montagu-Douglas-Scott, who commanded 1IG in North Africa and Italy.

    Sadly not the first case I've discovered of a woman losing two husbands in active service.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  6. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Screenshot 2020-05-21 at 19.19.50.png
    The Bystander 8th December 1937
     

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