WAR veteran Colonel Aidan Sprot has died aged 101 at home in the Borders.

Col Sprot fought in Europe and Africa during the Second World War, going on to receive a Military Cross and the French Legion of Honour.

Last year, Col Sprot’s niece Mary Coltman said: “I just think he was incredibly brave and courageous for what he did in the war and I really admire him.”

A death notice has been printed in The Scotsman, stating that Col Sprot, of Peeblesshire, died on Thursday, January 28.

Military career

 

Born in Riddell, near Lilliesleaf, Col Sprot signed up with the army at the age of 21 and joined the Royal Scots Greys in Palestine in August 1941.

In North Africa, taking instructions from General Montgomery, he participated in the Battle of El Alamein, Egypt, and went on to capture Tripoli in January 1943.

Later that year, he was part of the Allied invasion of Italy, landing at Salerno and ending up in Naples.

His regiment was then sent to northern France. They moved through Belgium and the Netherlands to reach Germany, eventually stopping the Russians from reaching Denmark.

VE Day memories

 

On May 8, 1945, Col Sprot was based at a farm in Wismar, northern German, when he heard that the Nazis had surrendered.

He and his colleagues held an informal service for everyone who had died.

“We even took the piano out of the house so we could have music,” Col Sprot recalled last year, as he marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

He added that he felt thankful he had survived the war “with just a bit of German metal” in his knee.

Tributes paid

 

Former Borders politician David Steel is among those who have paid tribute to Col Sprot.

Lord Steel said: “As the only other Freeman of Tweeddale I readily join in the tributes to Aidan Sprot.

“He had a long and remarkable life full of dedication to public service.

“I first got to know him as Lord Lieutenant of Peeblesshire when he could be coaxed into telling of his exploits in the military and later on his motorbike.

“He was deservedly a very popular figure.”