Lieutenant-Colonel C.F. Cathcart
7th Battalion, Black Watch

Lying flat on the hard gravelly desert, with shells falling all around and whizzing over one, was one of the nastiest sensations I have ever had. Never have I made myself so flat, never have I prayed so hard that one would not land on me.

(Quoted in Tess Monteith, “From the Moon to Kirkcaldy,” Red Hackle, 22)

Born on 26 March 1912 in Annan, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, Charles Frederick Cathcart was educated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, North West England and commissioned in the Black Watch. His heroism at Second Battle of El Alamein in October earned a Distinguished Service Order although he was only an acting captain with the 7th Battalion. Leading two companies, Cathcart stormed Miteiriya Ridge and held the position despite heavy casualties and suffering terrible wounds himself. After being evacuated to hospital, he later reflected of the battle: “It’s a bit hard, having had three of the worst days of the battle, to miss the smashing up of the German army.”

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