Second World War Roll of Honour

Remembering the 53 Scouts and adult volunteers from South East Scotland who were killed in the Second World War, 1939–1945.

About this Roll of Honour

The names on this Roll were compiled from official information gathered at and shortly after the war, and from information supplied by Scout historians through Scouts Heritage. Many served with the RAF and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; others were lost at sea with the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, or fell with the Army from France to Kohima.

Seven came from a single Group, the 63rd Edinburgh (Waverley). Others came from Gorebridge, Bonnyrigg, Musselburgh, Leith and, in large numbers, from the Scout Groups of Hawick. For some, only a name and a Group survive in the records; we’ve shown everything that is known.

We welcome any names that haven’t yet been included and, once verified through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, we’ll add them. If you know of someone missing, or have more information about someone listed, please get in touch.

Tell us about a name Download the spreadsheet (XLSX)

The names

Listed alphabetically by surname. Looking for someone? Use your browser’s find (Ctrl+F, or ⌘+F on a Mac).

William Young Anthony

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, 514 Squadron
Scouting: 63rd Edinburgh (Waverley) Group
Died: 21 July 1944 (aged 22). Aircraft was lost over the North Sea during bombing flight to Germany
Remembered at: Runnymede Memorial

Search War Graves records for William Young Anthony ↗

John Dowds

Sergeant, 75 Squadron
Scouting: 44th Midlothian Group
Died: 25 July 1940 (aged 19). Killed on air operations when his plane crashed near Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Remembered at: Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery

Search War Graves records for John Dowds ↗

Francis Hindmarch Huntley, DFM

Pilot Officer (Pilot), 50 Squadron
Scouting: King's Scout, 10th Midlothian Group
Died: 13 May 1943 (aged 21). His plane was shot down while on a bombing mission to Germany and crashed in the Ijsselmeer near Nijkerk in the Netherlands
Remembered at: Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery

Search War Graves records for Francis Hindmarch Huntley, DFM ↗

James Roberts

Sergeant (Wireless Operator), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Scouting: 47th Edinburgh Group
Died: 10 December 1940 (aged 23). Killed in a flying accident near Worcester
Remembered at: Edinburgh (Piershill) Cemetery

Search War Graves records for James Roberts ↗

Walter Smith

Stoker 1st Class, HMS Prince of Wales
Scouting: 14th Midlothian (Bonnyrigg) Scout Group
Died: 10 December 1941 (aged 22). Lost with ship off coast of Malaya
Remembered at: Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 35 Column 3

Search War Graves records for Walter Smith ↗

Continue exploring

First World War Roll of Honour

The 28 Scouts and volunteers from our area who were killed in the First World War.

John Cruickshank VC

The Greenbank Scout who became the last surviving Victoria Cross recipient of the Second World War.

Our History

More than a century of Scouting across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

We will remember them.