A WALKERBURN war hero who fought from the beaches of Normandy to the very heart of Germany has passed away this week.

David Douglas, formerly of Tweedholm Avenue, died on Wednesday, September 28 at the ripe old age of 91.

The former Ballantyne's mill worker, who served as a signal platoon sergeant with the 8th Battalion The Royal Scots, received the Miltary Medal for his bravery during the battle to secure the Gheel bridgehead at the Escaut Canal in September 1944.

During this battle the battalion faced the fiercest German opposition since the Normandy bridgehead, and were victorious thanks in no small part to David's dedicated leadership in maintaining communications with crossings of the canal under heavy enemy fire.

David fought on across Europe with The Royal Scots until he was felled by a shot to the back in the town of Uelzen in Germany in April 1945.

He was eventually airlifted back to Britain and spent nine months convalescing in the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

After the war he married his wife, Gladys, in 1947, eventually settling in Sedbergh, Cumbria, where he set up a textile business called Pennine Tweeds.

The couple had three sons, Richard, Graham and Ian, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

His son Richard said: "My dad was a very modest man and was never one to boast of what he had done during the war.

"Walkerburn was very dear to him, he returned there initially after the war but he couldn't settle as it conjured too many memories of his friends who were killed.

"When he was in the right mood he'd tell you his war stories and I know that he was immensely proud of receiving his Miltary Medal from no less than Field Marshal Montgomery himself." Major Joe Brown, CBE, chairman of the 8th Battalion The Royal Scots 1939-46, was a close friend of David's and best man at his weddding to Gladys.

He said: "Davie was one of the first recruits when the battalion was reformed in the spring of 1939, mustering with the Innerleithen/Walkerburn company for war service on September 1 that year. A good and loyal friend and a close supportive colleague he was a worthy Royal Scot and a courageous and gallant Signal Platoon Sergeant." A spokesman for the Royal British Legion echoed this and said: "The whole country should be aware of the debt of honour we owe David and his brothers in arms.

"Had it not been for their courage and willingness to lay down their lives, the world would be a very different place. The freedom we have enjoyed since 1945 would not have existed and it is possible that the German Army would have swept all the way through France and beyond.

"These men never questioned losing their lives in the fight, we must never forget them and continue to salute their memory." David will be laid to rest today, Friday, October 7 at 1pm in Sedbergh Parish Chruch.