David (Davie) Laing Seath MM
Sergeant S/10333
(21/05/1892 - 03/09/1916)
1st Btn., Cameron Highlanders
Died on Sunday, September 3rd 1916
Buried : Thistle Dump Cemetery, High Wood, Longueval
Grave: B.22 David Laing Seath was born at 9 Stewart Terrace, Edinburgh on Saturday 21st May 1892 to Andrew Seath and Mary Laing. Andrew was originally from Cupar in Fife.
After his marriage he moved to Mossend, West Calder, West Lothian and at the outbreak of Worls War I he joined the Cameronian Highlanders to do 'his bit for King and Country.' His bit was to pay the ultimate price.
How David Seath won his Military Medal
A West Calder Hero
Gallantry Worthy of a V.C.
The wife of Pte Seath, of the 1st Cameron Highlanders, has received the following letter from Captain C L Bethune, of A Coy. Cameron Highlanders : -
Mrs Seath,
Mid Street,
Mossend,
West Calder,
No 10 Stationary Hospital,
St Omer,
4th June, 1915
Dear Mrs Seath,
I want to write to let you know how well your husband behaved on the 9th May when a company were sent into the assault. I got hit about half-way to the German trenches. Seath lay down just behind me and did guardian angel. To move meant almost certain death, as we were only 40 yards from the Germans, yet I understand that your husband did an exceptionally gallant action. Apparently a Pte Inglis was lying wounded quite near and was hit again, his arm being badly shattered. Seath crawled to him, got him on his back, and so crawled with him to our own trenches. He tells me that an officer of another regiment took his name. His gallantry did not finish there, as he started to crawl out to me again, but thank God he was stopped by one of our officers. I am going to try and collect evidence, and bring his deed to official notice. It all depends on whether the evidence is still alive. He looked after me splendidly and you have every reason to be proud of him. May God grant that he may come safely back to you Mrs Seath. I wish we had more like him.
Midlothian Advertiser, June 18th, 1915
HOW SERGEANT SEATH FELL
In the Parish Church Magazine for November the story is told of how Sergt. David Seath, of the Cameron Highlanders, fell in action.
His Commanding Officer, Capt. H C Methuen, writes of the way in which he met his death. He says :-
On September 3rd the Battalion went into action just East of High Wood. A Coy were on the right of the line; Sergt. Seath's platoon formed the right of the Company's line in the attack. The extreme right was held up by rifle and machine gun fire, and did not reach the enemy trench; while Sergt Seath and some of his platoon were lying out in shell holes for some time, and later on these men withdrew to the front line trench they had started from.
Sergt Seath stood on the firing step directing and helping in wounded men into the trench, and whilst doing this was sniped through the head, being instantly killed.
He was buried some 500 yards behind the front line.
Sergt Seath was a NCO in my Company for some time, and a very good and brave man he was. He is a great loss to the Company, and I hope you will convey to his wife my great appreciation of her husband and my great regret and sympathy at his death in action.
H C Methuen, Captain O.C. A, Company
Midlothian Advertiser, 24th November, 1916
Dear Mrs Seath
It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband who was killed by a rifle bullet on September 3rd. I was not there when he was killed, but Davie and I being chums so long I made it my duty to write and let you know.
His death was instantaneous, and he was buried in a small cemetery just behind the trenches.
Davie had just been chaffing about going on pass to 'Auld Reekie', little thinking that we were going to part so soon. We had only been talking to his young brother two or three days before it; but I have not had an opportunity of seeing him since.
He was liked and respected by all the Company, and they all join with me in sending you their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. Please convey to his other relatives my deepest sympathy in their great loss.
You have lost a good husband and I have lost a dear friend and good comrade.
I remain in deepest sympathy, yours sincerely, R Houston.
His grave sits in Thistle Dump Cemetery, High Wood, Longueval, France. He was only 24 years old when he was killed. Local Midlothian newspapers carried the following touching tribute:-
IN MEMORIAM
SEATH - In loving memory of my dear husband, 10333, Sgt David Seath, who was killed in France on 3rd September, 1916.
It is just one year since he left us in sorrow,
And sad was the shock we received in that day;
But soon we will meet and enjoy him forever,
In the home of our Saviour, who called him away.
Inserted by his widow and children
21 Mid Street, Mossend
Midlothian Advertiser, 7th September, 1917
Thistle Dump Cemetery, The last resting place of David Laing Seath
The death of David in 1916 was not the last heartache Andrew and Mary had to face during the war. In 1918 David's older brother Alexander was killed in France and was buried at Bouzancy.
West Calder War Memorial and detail showing David Laing Seath's entry
