The last surviving member of the legendary Desert Rats soldiers has pledged his support for independence.
Jimmy Sinclair, of Kirkcaldy, who fought at Monte Cassino during the Second World War, backed the Yes campaign during a visit to Holyrood where he met First Minister Alex Salmond and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon.
The 101-year-old said he had been a nationalist since he was a youngster, despite serving in the British Army with distinction and being personally honoured for his achievements by the Duchess of Cornwall.
He said: “We are letting our neighbours tell us how much to spend. The Scottish people vote mostly Labour or SNP and we have got a government we didn’t vote for in Westminster.
“Scotland should be governed by Scotland. I hope it’s a Yes vote but it’s 50/50 just now, I think.”
Mr Sinclair served in North Africa and Sicily before moving on to Monte Cassino, one of the hardest-fought campaigns of the war which started in February 1944 and eventually left a quarter of a million people dead or wounded.
Mr Salmond said: “It was a real honour to meet Jimmy. At 101 years young he has seen it all, including the bravery and the horrors of fighting Rommel across North Africa.
“A veteran of The Black Watch and the Royal Horse Artillery, we are privileged to have his backing for a Yes vote.”
Ms Sturgeon said: “It was great to meet Jimmy. His backing shows that people from every walk of life are backing the Yes campaign.”
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance, who invited Mr Sinclair to Holyrood, said: “To see somebody as active as Jimmy supporting the Yes campaign gives us a huge boost, especially with the number of veterans and members of the armed forces in Scotland.”
A Veterans for Scottish Independence spokesman said: “People like Jimmy Sinclair are an asset to Scotland, he fought with honour through the North Africa Campaign then through Italy onto the hell of Monte Cassino.
“And his 101 years have brought bags of common sense and wisdom to this true gentleman, he is proud to have served the British Army but prouder to be a Scot, he just wishes like-minded citizens of this great country once again be a proud nation.”