Veteran celebrates 100th birthday

Andrew Cowie 1612 - 1612 • Published 5 Jun 2008 12:00 0 Comments

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A Cowdenbeath man who served during the Second World War with distinction celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday.

Arthur Beaton was born in Cowdenbeath on 30th May 1908, the second eldest of eight children. Apart from military service, he has lived almost all of his life in Cowdenbeath or nearby.

After leaving school, he was employed as an apprentice coal-miner, and as a young man took part in the General Strike in 1926. In 1929 he joined the army, and served with the Royal Scots and the Black Watch, rising to the rank of sergeant. He married Alice Falconer, who died in 1983.

Arthur saw active service during the Second World War, serving in France, Gibraltar, Egypt and Italy. He took part in the battle for Cassino, which was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, as the allies advanced to Rome. During the battle, Sergeant Beaton was wounded in the face, and was eventually captured by the Germans.

According to reports of the incident, Sergeant Beaton equipped himself with bravery and courage in the incident that led to his capture; two of his colleagues were killed, and are buried in the military cemetery in Cassino. He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag 317 in Austria.

Having already lived more than a full life, Arthur was still only 37 when liberated. One of his proudest possessions - which still hangs on his wall - is the letter he received on his return from the war from the Provost of Cowdenbeath. This thanked Sergeant Beaton on behalf of the community for the service he had given.

Unlike his beloved brother Duncan who was killed in 1943 (and laid to rest in Salerno), Arthur returned home to a variety of jobs in the mines and the railways, and with Cowdenbeath Town Council. His family grew, with his only daughter Elsie marrying Martin Ewing of Lochgelly in 1951. Elsie and Martin had three sons.

Arthur's grandsons in turn have had nine children in total. Arthur is a proud father, grandfather (three grandsons) and great-grandfather (seven great grand-daughters and two great grand-sons).

His family is now disbursed, with Elsie and Martin moving to Penicuik in 1961, though grandson Chris and his family live locally.

Arthur now lives at Leys Park Nursing Home. He was joined in the 100th birthday celebrations by the three generations of his family, as well as representatives of his old regiment.

This article appeared in Central Fife Times 05 Jun 08

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