Crossroads and Characters

60. THE LAST CASUALTY.

On the war memorial in Dunning, the last entry for local casualties of the Great War is dated, curiously, almost a month after the Armistice.

James W. Whytock had plans familiar to many a Scot: he wanted to emigrate. In the years before World War I hundreds of thousands of Scots were moving out to former colonies like Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, as well as to America.

In fact James Whytock did more than just plan. He went to Canada in 1914 with the intention of bringing his family over as soon as he could get settled. He was lucky enough to find a job and sent word for the family to join him, but before these plans could be carried through, war had broken out.

Still thinking the family's future would be in Canada, he enlisted with the Canadian Army. He was forty, older than the average volunteer. Because of his age he was given a support role, looking after horses with a cavalry regiment.

The Canadian Brigade was sent to Britain for regrouping prior to being shipped to the front in France. While in Britain, James Whytock was able to get leave to come to Scotland and see his family. It was on that visit this formal family portrait was taken.

It was the only one the family ever had. They were told later that weeks after the Armistice was signed on November 11, Private Whytock received the good news his regiment was to head home. The troops bearded a train and set out for the Channel.

On the line ahead lay an enemy explosive which somehow had not been detected. As the train passed it blew up, wounding several soldiers on board including Whytock. He died in hospital in Mons, December 9, 1918.