On 3rd August James was laying siege to the English-held Roxburgh Castle. A canon used in the siege exploded and James was killed. His son James III succeeded as king.

Castle Line, where he was to serve as quartermaster in the mail ships, with his younger brother, Emon, as a fellow crew member. The four Rees brothers certainly saw their share of war.

Mr Rees joined his first ship, the freighter Roxburgh Castle in 1941 as a deck boy aged 15½. Sailing for Rio de Janeiro, his first three days were marked by chronic seasickness.

ON THIS day in 1313, Sir James Douglas - or The Black Douglas - struck a heavy blow against the invading English forces by capturing Roxburgh Castle with an army of men who were disguised as cows.

ON THIS day in 1313, Sir James Douglas - or The Black Douglas - struck a heavy blow against the invading English forces by capturing Roxburgh Castle with an army of men who were disguised as cows.