Rosemarket Teacher Loses Leg

The following is taken from Newspaper articles published at the time.

Dated October 2nd, 1918

ROSEMARKET TEACHER WOUNDED.

It was reported that Mr. A. B. A. Cattanach, Rosemarket, had had his leg blown off in action.

November 6th, 1918

ROSEMARKET SCHOOLMASTER'S INJURIES.

 His many friends will regret to learn of the serious injury sustained by Gunner Cattanach, R.G.A. (Headmaster of Rosemarket Schools), on the Western Front.

On August 30th, 1918, in the Anas-Bapaume push, his left leg was nearly blown off by enemy shell explosion, necessitating amputation the same day.

After ten days' treatment in a hospital, he was sent across to Paisley, where he is making satisfactory progress, aiding the skilled surgery and careful nursing of the staff by his own courageous and cheerful endurance.

Voluntarily attesting under the Derby Scheme, he was called up in due course, and, after training in English Camps, went out with his Battery.

As Battery Commander's Assistant, he went through the recent fighting.

The Battery Commander's letter of sympathy to him (September 5th) shows how: "Dear Cattanach, I was most awfully sorry to hear of your bad luck; the only consolation I can see is that you've saved your life, which is a consideration in these days, isn't it?

What I really wanted to write to you about was just to tell you of the unbounded admiration I and the other officers had for the very gallant and plucky manner in which you took your injury; everybody was amazed by your bravery.

It was most unfortunate that you should be taken from us, just when you were getting used to us.

I greatly appreciated your services, and the way you bucked into the work.

You've no idea what a comfort it is to a Battery Commander to have men around him that he can trust implicitly, as was the case with you.

I hope that when you get fitted out with an artificial limb that you will be able to get around comfortably; they do wonders in that way now.

Anyway, you have the infinite satisfaction of knowing that your trials have been suffered for the most noble of causes, and you've made a great sacrifice for your native land.

All the officers join me in wishing you a speedy recovery.  Yours very sincerely, F. G. GODDARD." Mr. Cattanach's Pembrokeshire friends will heartily echo the wish of Major Goddard and his officers.