PEOPLE across Helensburgh fell silent for two minutes on Remembrance Sunday in tribute to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives in the service of their country.
Hundreds of people paid their respects at the war memorial in Helensburgh’s Hermitage Park on a beautiful autumnal morning, while similar acts of remembrance were held at church services and war memorials in Cardross, Rhu, Shandon, Garelochhead, Rosneath, Cove, Arrochar and Luss.
Veterans rubbed shoulders with serving military personnel, community groups, uniformed youth organisations and local dignitaries as the traditional poppy wreaths were laid one day short of the 101st anniversary of the Armistice which saw the guns fall silent at the end of the First World War.
Beginning at Hermitage Primary School, the Royal Navy Guard of Honour led a march through Helensburgh past the Victoria Halls, where the salute was taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, before parading onwards to Hermitage Park for the service of remembrance.
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The Reverend David Young, minister of Helensburgh Parish Church, led the ceremony in the garden of remembrance, where there was a scripture reading followed by an act of remembrance and a lament by a piper.
Following the two-minute silence of reflection and gratitude, wreaths were laid by, among others, the Submariners Association, local Cadets, Scout Groups, Girl Guides and Brownie groups and Police Scotland Youth Volunteers.
Laying the wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy this year was Commodore Donald Doull, Naval Base Commander Clyde.
The base held its own commemoration on Monday, November 11, when submariners, sailors, marines and MoD civilians gathered at The Church of St John the Evangelist, part of the base Chaplaincy, for a service led by Reverend Tommy Goodwin, Reverend Mark Davidson and Reverend Robert Jackson.
There were also readings from the Naval Prayer and the Kohima Epitaph read by Surgeon Commander (D) Lindsay Falla from the HMS Neptune Dental Centre.
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Royal Navy personnel also attended events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and multiple services the length and breadth of the country.
Among those present at Sunday’s service in Helensburgh was West of Scotland MSP and Helensburgh resident Maurice Corry, an Army veteran, who said: “It was amazing to see such a brilliant turnout at the Helensburgh war memorial on Sunday.
“It is especially heartening to see the number of people increasing every year, particularly young people.
“The renovated garden of remembrance is a fitting setting for the Remembrance Sunday memorial.
“I’m very grateful to the Royal Navy for playing their part, and my particular thanks to Norman Muir and Helensburgh Community Council for arranging the event.”
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