A NEILSTON man made an emotional journey to France to visit the grave of his great-uncle – 100 years after he fell in the First World War.

Basil Watt was joined by other members of his family at the Red Cross War Cemetery, in Beaugency, to honour his relative’s memory and lay a wreath donated by the Neilston War Memorial Association (NWMA).

Gordon Highlanders Private Basil Watt, who shares the same name as his great-nephew, was only 24 and just married when he was killed in action at Bapaume.

A century later, the Neilston soldier’s family was determined to remember his sacrifice and took with them soil from his birthplace.

Basil, of Millview Meadows, who was joined by his wife Christine and son Iain, told the Barrhead News: “When we walked into that cemetery 100 years to the day he died, it was a memory that will last forever. It was very emotional.

“Three generations of our family were there to show that his sacrifice and that of others like him will never, ever be forgotten. He is one of our own.

“We were really touched by the wreath donated by the Neilston War Memorial Association. My brother David also went and lifted soil from the Sergeant Law Farm where my great uncle was born.

“We wanted to take something from home with us.”

Also making the trip to France were Basil’s sisters Jane Steel and Ellen Pettigrew, both from Neilston, as well as niece Olivia and great niece Emily.

Basil, 69, was raised at Greenhill Farm, Neilston, by his late dad, also Basil, and mum Jean Watt, along with his four brothers and four sisters.

He was a supporter of the bid to erect a memorial in memory of the men from Neilston who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Basil donated money from his 65th birthday party to the cause.

Last year, the NWMA unveiled a new community garden in Main Street as a tribute to the hundreds of men who are commemorated on the village war memorial.

A flower bed was dug out and top soil applied. The bed was then planted with flowers that should come back each year.

Having signed up to serve his country on May 28, 1917, Private Watt was killed just 10 months later, on March 14.

He was married to Mary Erskine Connell.

After a touching visit to the graveside, the family then went to Menin Gate to remember Private Watt and hear the Last Post, which is played every day in tribute to all those who died in battle.

Basil added: “It was just filled with names – thousands of them – and that is when it hits you, how many died.”