St Andrews' VC recognised

Stone unveiled in Crails Lane, St Andrews to commemorate Sgt Jock Ripley VC

A stone commemorating Sgt Jock Ripley VC has been unveiled in Crail's Lane, St Andrews.

The stone is outside number nine, Sgt Ripley’s home in the town, and was unveiled by Jim McArthur, Chairman of St Andrews Partnership, local historian Councillor Keith McCartney, and Major Ronnie Proctor of the Black Watch Association.

Sgt Ripley was serving in 1st Battalion the Black Watch when he was awared his VC for his heroic deeds in action in France.

At the ceremony, Jim McArthur said: “John Ripley must surely be one of St Andrews’ most illustrious citizens, and yet until now has been almost unknown in the town which he made his home. When Keith McCartney told us about Ripley’s remarkable life story, we instantly agreed we should fund a memorial for him.”

Sgt Ripley made his home in St Andrews after the war, working as a slater, and died in 1933 after falling from a ladder. He is buried in Upper Largo Cemetery.