Corporal James Hendry was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his heroic actions during World War II.

However, the story of Falkirk's highest decorated citizen only came to light a few years ago.

James Hendry was just 29 and serving with the Canadian Armed Forces when he saved countless lives after an explosion on a construction site started a fire. His warning allowed fellow soldiers and villagers from Laggan, near Newtonmore in Speyside, to run to safety.

However, the heroic corporal died trying to put out the fire.
Comrade-in-arms Sapper John Stewart was later killed by falling debris.

The pair were honoured 67 years after their deaths when a memorial cairn was unveiled at Kinlochlaggan on the Ardverikie Estate, close to the scene of the tragedy.

During the unveiling ceremony, Cpl Hendry was described as a brave man who put others' safety before his own.

Master of ceremonies Andrew Feilden said: "Recognition of this event is long overdue."

The George Cross was created by King George VI in 1940 and is the highest civilian decoration. It is awarded for "acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger".

To date only 159 awards have been made – 86 of these posthumously.

Although he was a serviceman, because his actions were not in the face of the enemy, in 1943 Cpl Hendry was posthumously awarded the George Cross rather than the Victoria Cross which is given to military personnel.

His grieving family were presented with the medal and later donated it to the regimental museum of the Royal Canadian Engineers.
Cpl Hendry's brother Bill, now 79, travelled with family members from his home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, for the ceremony.

James Hendry was born on December 20, 1911, in Hawthorn Cottage, Lime Road, and was the first child of Moses – later known as John – Hendry and his wife Janet. One year later, the family moved to Canada first settling in Sorel, Quebec.

John had been a miner in the Falkirk area and eventually moved his family to Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where he worked in the gold mines.

When war broke out in 1939 many of the miners, including the young James, joined the 1st Tunnelling Company, Royal Canadian Engineers.

In April 1941 they arrived in Lagan to work with Balfour Beatty to help construct the Loch Crunachdan to Loch Laggan hydro electric tunnel to increase the water supply for the British Aluminium works at Kinlochleven.

Those who gathered for the unveiling ceremony on the edge of Loch Laggan heard how the dramatic events of Friday the 13th in June 1941 unfolded.

Mr Feilden said: "There was friendly competition between the Canadians and Balfour Beatty to see what distance could be drilled within a week.
The pressure to complete the tunnel was relentless.

"Around 4 p.m. James Hendry came out of the tunnel to read his mail from home. He saw smoke rising from a building and, despite knowing it was used to store explosive and fully realising the implications, he alerted others before picking up a pail of water and running into the shed.

"Moments later, there was a massive explosion which left two dead and eight injured."

Laggan man Alister MacRae, now 83, was working as a storeman at the
time. He recalled: "Corporal Hendry was the shift boss and an experienced miner. He was an important part of the operation and would be fully aware of what he was doing when he tried to extinguish the fire."

Mr MacRae, who performed the unveiling, helped gather much of the information about the unsung hero for the books being written about George Cross recipients by Marion Hebblethewaite.

A wartime friendship which continues to this day with Falkirk man Donnie MacAngus helped uncover the brave corporal's Falkirk roots.

Mr MacRae added: "It was only a few years ago that we learned of the George Cross award. It came completely out of the blue."

An emotional Bill Hendry said he was just 12 when news of his brother's death came. "His parents, family and fiancee, Mary McKeown, were utterly devastated at the loss of a son, brother and betrothed. I am sure that they would be proud and grateful that you have honoured James with this memorial cairn."

Last Thursday's event was organised by members of Laggan Heritage and representatives from Ardverikie Estate, Balfour Beatty Construction and Rio Tinto Alcan, who had sponsored the cairn and ceremony, were present, along with Lieutenant Colonel Bob Martinell from the Royal Canadian Engineers.

He recited the regimental prayer: "Almighty God, we pray thee to bless the Canadian Military Engineers. May our bridges always stand, and our charges never fail, our members be ever loyal, and our officers worthy of their loyalty. May we work diligently in all our purposes and be skilled in our trades; steadfast for Queen and country everywhere. Amen."

Corporal Hendry is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.