Seven men held their ground when surrounded and under attack for 48 hours.

Seven men held their ground when surrounded and under attack for 48 hours. 

Sergeant David Ferguson Hunter VC 

David was born in Dunfermline, Scotland in November 1891. 

He was the fourth of twelve children, six of whom died in infancy. 

He left school at 14 and joined his father at Dean Colliery, Kingseat to work as a coal miner.

He joined the Territorials in 1910 serving with the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

He married Isabel Wilson in June 1913. The couple were to have six children.

When war was declared he served at home with a Highland Cyclist Battalion and then the Royal Engineers before being posted to France in 1916.

Serving with 17th Battalion (3rd Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry he was badly wounded in the back by shrapnel in February 1917. He spent four weeks in hospital.

In early September 1918 he joined the 1/5th Battalion (City of Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry.

His unit were taking part in the 100 days offensive that would eventually lead to Germany’s defeat. 

For his actions on 16/17 September 1918 at Moeuvres, France he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The citation printed in the London Gazette read as follows:-

“For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and devotion to duty. When the battalion to which he belonged relieved another unit in the front line, Cpl. Hunter was detailed to take on an advanced post which was established in shell holes close to the enemy. Relief was carried out in darkness, and there was no opportunity of reconnoitring the adjacent ground. On the following afternoon the enemy drove back the posts on Cpl. Hunter’s flanks and established posts in close proximity to and around him, thus completely isolating his command. Despite the fact that he was exceedingly short of rations and of water this gallant N.C.O. determined to hold on to his post to the last. On the evening of the second day he endeavoured to communicate with his company without result. Nevertheless he maintained his position, and repelled frequent attacks until the evening of the third day, when a counter-attack relieved him. Without food and water he had held on to his post for over forty-eight hours. Not only did he withstand constant attacks, but he had also to undergo the barrage fire of the enemy and of our own attacks, which came right across his post. The outstanding bravery, coupled with the determination, fortitude and endurance, displayed by Cpl. Hunter is beyond all praise and is a magnificent example to all”

During this action David’s party consisted of Privates William Jones, John Phillips, John Fleming, C McFarlane, W. Gray and Terence Mulhill. All were awarded the DCM.

He was subsequently promoted to the rank of sergeant on 23rd October 1918.

He received his medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 16th November 1918. 

After the war he returned to the coal mines but in 1924 he became a postman, a job that he did until 1951. He finished his working life as a storekeeper at Comrie Colliery.

During the inter war years he had again served in the Territorial Force and in the Second World War joined the Hone Guard and also helped with recruitment.

David Hunter VC died of a heart attack in 1965.