Having no next of kin he was not put forward for inclusion on the War Memorial when the names were added a few years back,indeed I only became aware of his existence this year.

I intend contacting Midlothian Council to have his name added to the Roll of Honour on the Memorial in Newtongrange Welfare Park  and hopefully have enough evidence to persuade them to do so.

I am delighted to say that this appeared in today's (13th December 2007) copy of the Midlothian Advertiser.

Ukrainian soldier to join village's roll of honour

The name of a Ukrainian soldier who lived and worked in Newtongrange is to be added to the village's war memorial — almost 90 years after he was killed in action in the First World War.

Gunner Vasiliy Nikitenko MM of the Royal Garrison Artillery, originally from Little Russia, was a volunteer soldier who lost his life fighting for his adoptive country just six months before the end of the Great War.

Vasiliy had emigrated to Scotland as a young man, and settled in Newtongrange after finding work at the Lothian Coal Company.

He had already had been decorated for gallantry with the award of a Military Medal for bravery in the field. Tragically, he was killed in the summer of 1918 as he fought in resistance to the German onslaught.

Social historian Dr Charles E. Sandbach said: “There is no doubt that Vasiliy was a brave man, forgotten simply because he had no next of kin to put forward his name for inclusion on his local war memorial.

The sadness of the story is compounded by the facts that he left quite a sum of Army pay unclaimed and his gallantry and campaign medals never got issued, as there was no one to send them to.”

After a campaign backed by Midlothian Councillor Wilma Chalmers, Vasiliy’s name will finally be added to the memorial at Newtongrange Park.

Councillor Chalmers said: “Having read the information I was of the opinion that it was only right and fitting that a young man who lived in Newtongrange, and who was willing to put his life on the line along with his adopted countrymen, should be recognised on our memorial stones as part of our war dead.

“He paid the ultimate cost for his bravery and no matter whether you consider him to be a transient worker, or a resident of Newtongrange as evidence has proved, he chose to sign up for a Scottish regiment.

His actions speak for themselves and I think that our actions in Newtongrange should reflect our appreciation of his efforts and eventual sacrifice in our name.”

 

My thanks to Charlie Sandbach and Councillor Wilma Chalmers for their support in the face of some opposition to Vasiliy's name being include on the memorial.