More about Robert Waller Scrimgeour

Robert Waller Scrimgeour   Friends Ambulance Unit

GALLANT DUNDEE MAN WINS CROIX DE GUERRE.

Mr Robert Waller Scrimgeour, volunteer driver, Friends Ambulance Unit, second son of Mr David Scrimgeour, 10 Richmond Terrace, Dundee, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre with silver star.

The French General commanding the Division writes :–Robert Waller Scrimgeour has been in the section since 1915, and has always given proof of the greatest bravery and most entire devotion to the wounded.  On 30th September, when driving his ambulance full of wounded, he was caught in a violent barrage, a shell nearly wrecking his car and badly wounding one man.  Without a moment’s hesitation he stopped his car and dressed the patient before reaching the hospital, giving proof once more of an absolute contempt of danger.

Mr Scrimgeour was formerly in partnership with his father in the conduct of the business of John Scrimgeour & Sons, Ltd., wholesale provision merchants, Rankine’s Court, Dundee.

Dundee Courier 16th October 1918

The Friends Ambulance Unit

The Friends Ambulance Unit (1914-1919) was a civilian volunteer ambulance service set up by a group of Quakers during World War I. Its members from 1914-1919, both Quaker and non-Quaker, totalled over 1000. Friends Ambulance Unit would first go to Dunkirk in October 1914 under the auspices of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Friends Ambulance Unit carried out work both at home and abroad. The Foreign Service Section carried out civilian relief work in allied occupied Belgium and supported wounded men from the active French divisions in Champagne and Argonne regions.

The Home Service Section dealt with applicants to the Unit, organised the supplies to mainland Europe, sent staff to hospitals in England, and after the introduction of conscription, helped to organise alternative work for conscientious objectors who could not afford to join the Unit.

Robert is believed to be the brother of Pte Henry Byrde Scrimgeour, 3207596, No13 Training Depot, Canadian Army Medical Corps.