The real 'Private Ryan'
The daughter of a Scottish soldier spared from fighting in World War I has travelled to Scotland to learn more about her family's history.
Frank Hamilton Cowie has been dubbed Scotland's "real life Private Ryan".
He was recalled from service in France after his mother pleaded with the authorities because three of her sons had already died on the front line.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-13929286
Nice find.
Must have been terrible for him and his family. I don't know how I'd feel if it was me, on the one hand I'd be glad to be spared the horror of the front line, on the other I'd probably feel guilty that all my brothers died and I was spared.
NVM
pointless post...
Last edited by OnTheRocks; 06-28-2011 at 09:46 AM. Reason: brainfart
Tragic circumstances indeed and no doubt multiple casualties to families
would not have been that rare in this period where large families were the norm.
May they + Rest In Peace +
Interesting and Rip to him and his brothers.
Very interesting find. Thank you.
A similar but more tragic story (the Sullivan brothers) happened in the US and had a big impact on US military policy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_brothers
Most people dont realize, the USS Juneau was a Brothers ship.Originally Posted by subotai
Besides the 5 Sullivan Brothers, the 4 Rogers brothers(2 of whom went down with the ship- Louis and Patrick, the other 2 being transferred just before the battle), and 30 other Pairs of Brothers who all went down with the Juneau.
Didn't know that, thanks.
There was a real, American "Private Ryan" already, on whom the film was partially based-- Sgt. Fritz Niland. My guess is his name was a little too German to use in the film
I read somewhere that something like 20 pairs of brothers served with 2 PARA in the Falklands in 1982.
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