In Memory of Second Lieutenant WALTER RIDDELL SUTHERLAND 8th Bn., Seaforth Highlanders who died age 27 on 04 October 1918 Son of Alexander and Isabella Riddell Sutherland, of the Imperial Hotel, Hawick, Roxburghshire. Received 13 caps playing for the Scottish International rugby team, between 1910 and 1914. Remembered with honour HOUCHIN BRITISH CEMETERY On the 4th October, 1918, while his battalion was being relieved from front line duty near Hulloch in France, 2nd Lt. Walter Sutherland of the 8th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders was killed by a stray shell. It was his twenty-eighth birthday. Walter was capped 13 times for Scotland at rugby union prior to the war. The news of Walter’s death stunned his home town of Hawick. There had been many, many tragedies through the four long years of war, but no one death affected the lives of so many of its townsfolk. Tributes came from all over the country. His former headmaster spoke for many when he wrote in a letter to Sutherland’s parents: ‘It is hard to realise that one who so recently had walked the streets of the old Border town, who was held in such affection by its youth, whose bright smile and cheery nature were like rays of sunshine, had gone and would never again adorn its peaceful life. The memory of such a life, with so many just claims to remembrance, will always stand out as a permanent inspiration and a bright example to all who may follow the Rugby game’. The true measure of Wattie Suddie’s greatness is that he is still revered in modern day rugby circles. This is doubly remarkable because he flourished in an age full of characters and personalities. Perhaps the most moving tribute to Sutherland was also the most direct - ‘He was made of the stamp of which heroes are made’. Second Lieutenant Walter R. Sutherland ‘Wattie Suddie’ is buried in Houchin British Military Cemetery near Bethune in France. http://sport.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=2761783 http://wikimapia.org/3513657/Houchin-British-Cemetery
Sutherland, Walter Riddell played for Scotland Internationals: 13 : 1910 W- E- ; 1911 F- E- (1t) ; 1912 F+ (2t) W- E+ (1t) SA- ; 1913 F+ W- I+ E- ; 1914 W- Walter Sutherland was born on 19 November 1890, in Hawick. Played as a Wing/fullback for: Teviot Grove School Hawick, Hawick Profession: Sanitary Inspector Remarks: Scottish Borders sprint champion 1911-1914; represented Scotland v Ireland 1911-1913. An article on the Western Front Association website included the following: "But it was in the English game at Twickenham in 1913 that Sutherland proved his worth to the Scottish team and more importantly, to the selectors. In direct opposition was the brilliant English centre Ronnie W. Poulton of Oxford and Harlequins and Vincent Coates, the powerful Cambridge University wing who, it was reported, ‘had a hand-off like a kicking mule’ and was exceedingly difficult to tackle. Ronnie Poulton had been described by the English press in their usual restrained manner as ‘the greatest three-quarter back of all time’. He was the same age as Sutherland and possessed the same athletic attributes of pace and balance. In 1913, Poulton’s rugby prowess was summed up: ‘R.W.Poulton’s brilliant play in the rugby international matches has been a feature of the past football season. We sympathise with the unfortunate man who on being reproved for not stopping him, replied, “How can anybody stop him when his head goes one way, his arms another, and his legs keep straight on?”’ Early in the 1913 match at Twickenham, the Scottish and Oxford University centre Eric Louden-Shand was injured . Reduced to a mere passenger he moved to Sutherland’s position on the wing and Sutherland moved to centre. Of the subsequent contest between Sutherland and Palmer, ‘Jock’ Wemyss wrote: ‘What ‘Suddie’ accomplished in that game was not one miracle but repeated miracles. Time and again when England attacked, he challenged Poulton. He never let him through. He made him pass or be tackled. Then when Poulton passed, and although Louden-Shand was hopelessly crippled and could give no assistance, ‘Suddie’s’ great speed enabled him to get across to tackle Coates and never once did the big winger get clear.’ With determination, speed and guile, Sutherland thwarted every English attack, and came close to scoring a try himself. ‘Sutherland had no difficulty in dancing round Coates when he made for the line and Johnstone did not get near him, Sutherland simply planted the ball down and jumped over it.’ But as he did so, the ball rolled forward. The referee, undecided as to whether a try had been scored, ruled against it. Wattie could claim to have scored on each of his previous three outings against the ‘Auld Enemy’. After the game, the ‘London Evening News’ was warm in its praise: ‘The fair-haired, pale, anaemic looking Scot with the courage of a lion and speed of a deer was the heroic figure at Twickenham on Saturday. England won the Calcutta Cup match by a try to nothing but Sutherland was without question the outstanding player on the field.’ The President of the Scottish Rugby Union said: ‘It was providence and Sutherland that saved Scotland that day from a much greater defeat’ Yet for all his achievements, ‘Wattie’ remained humble and unaffected. He personified some of the best qualities of the time. A contemporary wrote: ‘His play was honest and above board. He added a freshness to the game. He loved victory, but he knew how to acknowledge defeat. Sporting success he recognised as ephemeral and elusive. At the height of his fame, he was still the same bright, unassuming character, loyal to his home, his friends and his native town. The reward he most appreciated and cherished was the affection of his friends and admirers.’ In total, Sutherland was capped thirteen times for Scotland before the war. On the declaration of hostilities, he joined the local Border yeomanry, the Lothian and Border Horse. This regiment remained inactive at their base at Haddington near Edinburgh for over a year earning them the nickname, the ‘Princes Street Lancers’ because they were always strolling around the streets of Edinburgh. Having so much free time, Walter continued to play rugby. In October, 1914, a match was organised at Hawick between a South of Scotland XV versus the Officers of the 1/4th Battalion K.O.S.B. Wattie was the game winner for the South by scoring all their points. Over £14 was raised by the game which was donated to the Belgian Relief Fund. In April, 1915, a military Seven-a-side tournament, the ‘Khaki Sevens’, took place at Melrose instead of the normal event there. The eventual winners were from the Lothian and Border Horse, Sutherland’s contribution to the team being described as ‘a great asset’. Despite the welcome distractions of the rugby game, Wattie grew bored of the inactivity of the yeomanry. He wanted to see action. A contemporary of his and fellow trooper in the Lothian and Border Horse, Chap Landles said: ‘There wis nae sign of us being sent on service. Wi’ the result that there was quite a number left the regiment and went away and joined other regiments. Deserted! Deserted frae oor regiment! The next thing oo heard o’ thum, they were in another regiment. One of them was a very famous rugby player, Walter Sutherland, ‘Wattie Suddie’. One of the finest rugby players that I ever saw, there wis nae any feature of the game that ee wid say that he wis nae adept at, goal kicking, running, his passing and tackling, there wis nae a feature o’ the game that hei wis nae jist top notch.’ In the summer of 1915, Walter transferred his allegiance to the infantry with a posting to the 14th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Soon he was drafted off to the realities of the Western Front and a bout of dysentery which saw him invalided home in January 1917. Following his recovery, he was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. On the 4th October, 1918, while his battalion was being relieved from front line duty near Hulloch in France, Walter Sutherland was killed by a stray shell. It was a month before the Armistice and his twenty-eighth birthday. The news of Walter’s death stunned his home town of Hawick. There had been many, many tragedies through the four long years of war, but no one death affected the lives of so many of its townsfolk. Tributes came from all over the country. His former headmaster spoke for many when he wrote in a letter to Sutherland’s parents: ‘It is hard to realise that one who so recently had walked the streets of the old Border town, who was held in such affection by its youth, whose bright smile and cheery nature were like rays of sunshine, had gone and would never again adorn its peaceful life. The memory of such a life, with so many just claims to remembrance, will always stand out as a permanent inspiration and a bright example to all who may follow the Rugby game’. Second Lieutenant Walter R.Sutherland, ‘Wattie Suddie’, was buried in Houchin British Military Cemetery near Bethune in France.” War service: 2nd Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s), 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. He was killed in action on 4 October 1918, at Hulluch, and is buried in Houchin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France [III C.22].
Oh my ! ... you already had loads on him Gareth !! the only thing I noticed is ... that mine said he died on his birthday ... but you have a different date ! Annie
