It has recently been announced that 26,000 fallen Scottish soldiers’ wishes will soon be available to read online by the National Records of Scotland. The Wills belonging to many First World War soldiers have been digitised and are to be released to the public as a way to 'mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One', according to the BBC.
During the First World War, wills that were being processed by the military authorities were sent to the Commissary Office in Edinburgh, according to newsnetscotland. They were to be preserved in the National Records of Scotland. It is only now that these records have been made available to the public via the internet. It just proves how crucial it is to create your own will to ensure your estate is processed as per your wishes once you die. Use a trusted organisation such as Saga which will insure that your wishes are carried out exactly how you want them to be.
It is thought that by releasing the wills online it will help to increase public knowledge of the First World War and make people more aware of the brave soldiers who fought in it. The soldiers were from across the whole of Scotland and each of them battled in World War One. In the BBC’s article it noted that within the 26,000 wills that will become available online, 2,584 of these are from the Gordon Highlanders. They will include privates Alexander Craig and John Wood from Portlethen, Aberdeenshire.
These two men were originally a part of two fishing families however, they both joined the army in 1914. The BBC have said that John Wood served in the Gordon Highlanders 1/5th Battalion and Alexander Craig served in the 1/7th battalion. Unfortunately, both men were killed in 1916. Craig died at the age of 25 while Wood passed away at the young age of 18.
Scottish communities are set to gather together to remember the sacrifices made during the First World War throughout 2014. By having the 26,000 wills available online, people can learn more about the soldiers. It may even help some people to learn more about their relatives who fought in the war.
Jonathan Carter is a historian who has particular interest in British military history. He graduated from University of London with a degree in History and Politics.