Veterans remember their fallen comrades

Erskine marked Armistice Day with a moving Service of Remembrance at their Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bishopton care homes.
Veterans paid their respects at remembrance services across Scotland on Sunday, November 8Veterans paid their respects at remembrance services across Scotland on Sunday, November 8
Veterans paid their respects at remembrance services across Scotland on Sunday, November 8

At the charities biggest home in Bishopton, veterans, staff and visitors gathered around the home’s Memorial Stone to pay tribute to their comrades in the armed forces and to remember those who gave their lives in service. Leading the proceedings was Reverend Jonathan Fleming, minister of Erskine Parish Church.

Lt Col Steve Conway, Erskine’s CEO, read Binyon’s poignant lines from ‘For the Fallen’, before bugler Beth Paton marked the start and close of two minutes’ silence. Piper Craig McFarlane concluded with ‘The Flowers of the Forest’, as wreaths were laid on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen; Erskine veterans; staff and cottagers as well as Renfrewshire Council and local schools.

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Proud to be laying a wreath on behalf of Erskine veterans was Erskine Home resident and Royal Navy veteran Tommy McCulloch. Glaswegian Tommy, aged 90, watched the Queen lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on Sunday and thought: “If the Queen can do it, I can do it.”

Wreaths were also laid by Mr Guy Clark (Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire), Councillor Jim Harte from Renfrewshire Council, Mr Craig Cathro a veteran biker, Ms Helen Bolland a cottage resident on Erskine estate and school children from Bishopton Primary and Clydebank High Schools. Many Erskine veterans have been laid to rest over the years in Bishopton Cemetery so further wreaths were laid there.

Steve Conway said: “Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are two very significant dates for our veterans, as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts from the First World War to the present day. Some of our residents saw active service in the Second World War and others, as well as some staff members, served in subsequent conflicts which may have been more limited geographically but which still had a devastating effect on individuals and families. At this time of year we remember all those who gave their lives so others might live in peace.”

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