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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Matt Bryan

Commemorative blue plaque unveiled for Lanarkshire war hero

A memorial plaque has been unveiled to honour one of Lanarkshire 's most notable war heroes.

Lieutenant Donald Cameron VC carried out one of the most daring yet successful attacks on a German battleship during World War Two.

The Submariner from Carluke was remembered in a poignant service at the town's High Street where the commemorative blue plaque was placed.

The event was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Haughey CBE, civil dignitaries, senior Naval officers, as well as members of the Submariners Association and the local Sea Cadets group.

They all joined locals and members of the Cameron family in marking the occasion.

Donald's daughter Amanda Prideaux is pictured at the presentation where she unveiled her dad's blue plaque. It will now be ever-present in Carluke at the Junction of High Street and Hamilton Street.

(Lanarkshire Live)

Amanda was only 15 when her dad passed away. She told Lanarkshire Live that during her visit to Carluke she was able to visit the birthplace of her father before unveiling the plaque in his honour.

Amanda said: "It was a lovely day. We were very touched. I think dad would've been thrilled, although very embarrassed because we never talked about it.

"We only ever started talking about it all once we started having children and grandchildren because you realise the history and they need to know how it is.

"We are immensely proud. He was very humble about it all and said he did it because he was there.

"And I think he would always more remember those who didn't come back.

"As a family we feel immensely proud to be descended from such a distinguished but immensely private man."

Donald was a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, and on September 22, 1943, he used a midget submarine to carry out a stealth attack on the German battleship Tirpitz, at Kåfjord on the Altafjord, in Norway.

He, and another lieutenant, travelled over 1000 miles through enemy territory to plant mines on the hull of the ship, successfully disabling it for months.

The deed saw the pair negotiate a minefield, dodge nets, gun defences and enemy listening posts, before eventually placing the charges underneath the ship where they went off an hour later.

Members of Donald Cameron's family attended the event (Lanarkshire Live)

The resulting explosion caused the ship to be out of action for many months - proving a key mission in heroics documented throughout World War Two.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system, given to members of the armed forces for particular actions during their service.

For his outstanding gallantry and leadership, Donald was awarded his VC by King George VI in 1944.

He died in hospital, age 45, at Haslar, Hampshire in 1961. And his ashes were buried at sea from HMS Thule in April, 1961.

Lord-Lieutenant Lady Haughey also attended the service. She told us: “It was an honour and a privilege to attend the unveiling of the Blue Plaque, from The Submariners Association, and to meet Lieutenant Cameron’s family who had travelled from Portsmouth to attend the ceremony.

"Lieutenant Donald Cameron received the Victoria Cross medal for outstanding bravery during WWII.

"Another courageous war hero from Carluke, I am delighted that a commemorative Blue Plaque along with a Victoria Cross Paving Stone have now been dedicated in his memory, in Carluke, to provide a lasting legacy within the local community."

Following the dedication service on Saturday, May 7, a reception sponsored by Thales Optonics was held in St John's Masonic Lodge function hall in Carluke.

Also in attendance at the event was Councillor Poppy Corbett of Clydesdale West. She said: "Lovely to attend the dedication of a plaque to Lieutenant Donald Cameron in Carluke this afternoon."

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