SMR 1651 / NS 8551 7308
An open area of public ground on the north side of the High Street in Slamannan was utilised to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Three square stone plinths with sloping panels were placed in front of flag poles at the end of a paved path to commemorate Samuel Frickleton VC (1891-1971), Alexander Penman MM & Bar (1896-1961) and soldiers since 1945. The central plinth has a large representation of the Victoria Cross on it. They were unveiled on 3 April 2010.
Samuel Frickleton was born at the Old Lodge, Slamannan; and Alexander Penman at Loanrigg. The Victoria Cross Citation for Frickleton reads:
“Frickleton, Samuel, Lance-Corporal (later Captain) 3rd Bn., 3rd N.Z. (Rifle) Brigade, NZEF Date of Gazette: 2nd August 1917 Born: Old Lodge, Slamannan, Scotland, 1st April 1891 Died: Wellington, New Zealand, 1st September 1971 Memorials: Taita Servicemen’s Cemetery, Naenae, New Zealand; HQ Dunedin RSA, New Zealand. Account of Deed On 7 June 1917 at Messines, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Frickleton, although slightly wounded, dashed forward at the head of his section, pushed into our barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew which was causing heavy casualties . He then attacked a second gun, killing all the crew of 12. By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties. During the consolidation of this position he received a second severe wound.” (Journal of the Victoria Cross).
In August 2014 the mangled remains of a propeller from a Spitfire which crashed at Hillhead Farm were placed on display to the left rear of the above plinths. The plaque that goes with it states:
“PPER ARDUA AD ASTRA/ Dedicated to the memory of/ Sgt. Pilot John Tristram Silvester, RAF/ aged 22 years/ Killed 14th February 1942, at Hillhead Farm, Slamannan/ Whilst flying Spitfire IA L1059 from 58 OUT Grangemouth./ Resident of Little Acton Farm, Worcestershire/ Fondly loved and remembered/ Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum BAAC/ 16 August 2014.”
Bibliography
Journal of the Victoria Cross
“Victoria Cross Citation. Frickleton, Samuel, Lance-Corporal (later Captain) 3rd Bn., 3rd N.Z. (Rifle) Brigade, NZEF Date of Gazette: 2nd August 1917 Born: Old Lodge, Slamannan, Scotland, 1st April 1891 Died: Wellington, New Zealand, 1st September 1971 Memorials: Taita Servicemen’s Cemetery, Naenae, New Zealand; HQ Dunedin RSA, New Zealand. Account of Deed On 7 June 1917 at Messines, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Frickleton, although slightly wounded, dashed forward at the head of his section, pushed into our barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew which was causing heavy casualties . He then attacked a second gun, killing all the crew of 12. By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties. During the consolidation of this position he received a second severe wound.”
(See also PDF of Heroes Park Monument HERE)
Falkirk Local History Society 