Alexander 'Sandy' Nimmo McClymont (photograph; diary; postcard)

Alexander ‘Sandy’ Nimmo McClymont (1885-1979)

1. Photograph of Alexander Nimmo McClymont
2. A diary belonging to Alexander Nimmo McClymont purchased in Italy
3. A metal object which I think is a matchbox cover, carved with 'Italia' and bearing the initials 'AMc'.
4. Embroidered postcard sent from France to his sons Alexander and William Wallace McClymont. It reads: 'Dear Alex and Wallace, This is a sewn card which I got from you down town last night. I hope you like it. I received your post cards the other day. Yes, we are hurrying up to get home & hope it won't be long until we are all back again. Your loving Daddy'.

Sandy, son of Alexander McClymont and Isabella Stewart Nimmo of Maybole, Ayrshire, was called up for service in June 1916. His attestation papers suggest he had enlisted in December 1915, but not been called up until the following year, so it is likely that he enlisted under the Derby Scheme.

On joining the army he left behind a wife Mary Wallace and two young sons Alexander (b.1909) and William Wallace (b. 1912). Sandy became a sapper in the 474th Field Company of the Royal Engineers which was attached to the 48th (South Midland) Division. The Division were involved in key battles on the Western Front including the Somme and Passchendaele. On 10 November 1917 the Division received orders to move to Italy. There they were involved in fighting on the Asiago Plateau (15-16 June 1918). They also took part in the Battle of the Vittoria Veneto (1-4 November, at Val d’Assa rather than the Vittoria Veneto itself) and notably captured a German officer, three Divisional commanders and about 14 battalions. An armistice was declared here on 4 November 1918. Sandy was demobilised in February 1919.

1917

Somme, Passchendaele, Asiago Plateau, Val d’Assa

Kirsty McHugh