MAYOR of Contalmaison, Bérnárd Sénéchal, has made a flying visit to Tynecastle as a guest of the Hearts Great War Memorial Committee.

The committee flew the Mayor to Edinburgh as a 'thank you' for his efforts in helping them erect their memorial, the Contalmaison Cairn, in his French village last year. The memorial is in tribute to the 16th Battalion of the Royal Scots, known as McCrae's Battalion, three quarters of whom lost their lives on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Amongst the Battalion were several of the Hearts squad of that era, as well as players from Raith Rovers and Falkirk and supporters from both Hearts and Hibs.

Mr Sénéchal said: "I helped the committee out because I wanted to safeguard the memory of those who fought in Contalmaison and respect their sacrifice.

"I can understand Hearts wanting to renovate their main stand but it is one of the last links to the lads of the 1914-1918. However, I would love to come back to Tynecastle again in the future."

Committee member Jack Alexander, author of McCrae's Battalion, said: "Getting planning permission in France is incredibly difficult. We got permission for our memorial in three months when it can take three years, which is partly due to the acumen of our committee but in no small part was it due to Bernard's assistance.

"We have brought him here and looked after him all weekend at our expense and I think it's an investment in the future because the relationship with Contalmaison and the Somme in general for the city of Edinburgh is going to become very important. Remember, 500 Edinburgh boys died and around 800 were injured within the first hour of the Battle of the Somme."

Taken from the Scotsman