TARBAT WAR MEMORIAL

Edward Shearer worked at Brucefield Farm and as a member of the Territorials was mobilised when war broke out.

He was too young to go to France with the 51^ST Highland Division, which fought the rearguard action against the Germans to protect the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. This action was ultimately to lead to the Divisions surrender at St Valery- en-Caux.

Edward became part of the reformed 51^ST Highland Division, which found itself in North Africa fighting Field Marshall Erwin Rommell's Africa Korp.

Edward, as a Lance Corporal in the Intelligence Section of the 5^TH Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, was always in the vanguard of the fighting, having to find out what the enemy movements were and taping the routes for attack through enemy minefields.

Edward was badly wounded in action outside Tripoli, a bullet lodged in the spine and he was paralysed.

He was moved to hospital in Cairo where he died of wounds on the 25^TH May 1943 and is buried in the Heliopolis War Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt.

Edward was the only son of Edward Skinner Shearer and Williamina Sinclair Shearer of Portmahomack.

‘You can tell Shearer's people up at Brucefield that his Platoon officer said he is an excellent fellow at his work.’ Part of a letter from Captain Douglas Gordon to his mother.

‘About Shearer, I had been told he was not in the last battle before Tripoli, but have now found out he was. He is very badly wounded and is in a Cairo hospital suffering from a paralysed spine where a bullet entered. There is hope that he will recover but again it is only a chance.’ Part of a letter from Captain Douglas Gordon to his mother.

‘Had letters from Clare, Nell and Mum, all seem to be very well and cheerful. This dear sister is just how I want you all to be. Don't worry too much about me, just keep on praying and all will be well, God knows just what is best for us all.’ Part of letter [written by a friend] from Edward Shearer to his sister Mary four days before he died.