大象传媒

EH3 9EQ - George Heriots School, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh.

This is the story of 27 Serbian boys who found refuge at George Heriot鈥檚 School during the First World War. School archivist Fraser Simm and researcher Louise Miller describe how the boys鈥� experience and education in Edinburgh changed the course of their lives.

The boys had survived what is known as the "retreat": a journey over the mountains of Albania and Montenegro during the winter of 1915-1916 to escape capture after their country suffered defeat. Over three years they were absorbed into the school life and the records show that they were high achievers. Several, became sporting heroes on the rugby fields and took the game back to Serbia on their return.

"We can never forget the hospitality and friendship which we felt everywhere in Scotland, wrote Dimitrije Dulkanovi膰 when he was in his eighties.. At that war time we were homeless and parentless so our gratitude to Scotland and the Scottish people will last till the end of our lives..."

Dimitrije was the last surviving Serbian boy. He was buried in 1995 in his Heriot's school tie. It is a tremendous story for the 27 boys but there is a backdrop of tragedy when you consider than that 10,000 boys, just like them, died trying to cross the mountains before the Allies were able to rescue them.

Reporter: Edi Stark

Image courtesy of George Heriot鈥檚 School archive

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