A 90 year old woman from Fairlie has travelled to Normandy and paid an emotional tribute to a villager who died in the Second World War on the anniversary.

Daughter Harriet Mobbs explained in a letter to the Largs and Millport Weekly News: “As this was my mother, Ada Miller’s 90th year, she was asked what she would like to do. Without hesitation she requested a return visit to Normandy and to the grave of Donald Smith (Black Watch) at Ranville Cemetery.” Donald family moved from Sandyhill, Glasgow when Donald in his early teens. Ada lived in the flat above them at Burnfoot, Fairlie and spent many an hour together as they were growing up. Donald played for Tollcross YMCA Junior league, when they won the cup in 1938 as their goalkeeper.

He would commute with his father to work as a church and school woodworking machinist at J D Bennett of Glasgow. Before France he was in the Libyan campaign. One of his brothers Campbell still lives in Fairlie and Harriet’s mother has kept in contact and met up on several occassions Harriet continued: “So on the 7 July, 70 years to the day he was killed Ada got her wish and spent time at Ranville. All of the headstones have a beautiful rose planted and the grounds surrounding are sheer perfection. Ada recalled being at home in Burnfoot House, Fairlie. When three boys sat at the table Donald, Bobby and Campbell, waiting to sample her culinary efforts of jam tarts and scones overseen by their mother. There were plenty of rude remarks but everything was eaten.

“On to the dreaded telegram arrival, there were no hysterics just a calm folding of the arms and repeatedly saying “Och aye, hen” as if she had already known, Harriet then spoke about the special visit to Normandy earlier in the summer.

She said: “Upon visiting Omaha Cemetery we witnessed a group of American children standing with their hands on their hearts on the steps of the memorial, and the silence and stillness of the people listening to the star spangled banner, followed by the last post. A very emotional tribute.” “The Memorial museum at Caen and the bridge hold so many memories for thousands and information for the future generations to see and learn. We so much appreciated our visit and were able to allow my mother to recall and live her memories.”