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Cpl. James McPhie VC
British Army 416th (Edinburgh) Field Company Royal Engineers
from:Edinburgh
(d.14th October 1918)
James McPhie died of wounds on 14th October 1918 aged 24 and is buried in the Naves Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of Allan and Elizabeth McPhie, of 112, Rose St., Edinburgh
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on the 14th October, 1918, when with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge across the Canal de la Sensee near Aubencheul-au-Bac. The further end of the bridge was under close machine gun fire and within reach of hand grenades. When Infantry just before dawn were crossing it, closing up resulted and the bridge began to sink and break. Accompanied by a sapper, he jumped into the water and endeavoured to hold the cork and timbers together, but this they failed to do. Cpl. McPhie then swam back, and, having reported the broken bridge, immediately started to collect material for repair. It was now daylight. Fully aware that the bridge was under close fire and that the far bank was almost entirely in the hands of the enemy, with the inspiring words " It is death or glory work which must be done for the sake of our patrol on the other side," he led the way, axe in hand, on to the bridge and was at once severely wounded, falling partly into the water, and died after receiving several further wounds. It was due to the magnificent example set by Cpl. McPhie that touch was maintained with the patrol on the enemy bank at a most critical period."
