New tribute to the fallen

Permanent silhouette memorials

Monklands has two poignant new permanent tributes honouring its fallen soldiers.

The striking “Tommy” silhouettes show the outline of a World War I serviceman, as they would have looked in the trenches of a century ago, complete with rifle and helmet.

One has been placed at the war memorial in Coatbridge, and another at the cenotaph in Airdrie – as well as at the other major war memorials across North Lanarkshire.

Both were in position in time for Remembrance Sunday and will remain at the two tribute locations as a permanent memorial commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I.

The statues form part of the “There But Not There” campaign, aiming to raise awareness of the sacrifice made by more than 800,000 British and Commonwealth troops who died in the conflict of 1914 to 1918.

Another was in place at New St Andrew’s church in Coatbridge, where members of its uniformed organisations processed into the church for a special service on Remembrance Sunday.

Parishioners also created a striking display of handmade plastic poppies to adorn the outside of the church, and created a tree of poppies inside.

Meanwhile, a lone piper played a poignant lament at Airdrie’s war memorial at 6am on Remembrance Sunday, marking exactly 100 years since the final day of World War I.

Residents and local councillors listened in silence as When The Battle Is O’er was played at the cenotaph, located at Monkscourt Avenue and Alexander Street.

Airdrie North councillor David Cullen, an army veteran who is North Lanarkshire’s armed forces champion, said: “A century since the end of World War I, the effects are still evident – more than 700 names are on the cenotaph and each one represents a family destroyed or a life extinguished.

“I can only imagine the horrific conditions the soldiers on the front lines must have suffered for the four long years that we now stand remembering; those who have fought since in World War II, Korea, the Falklands or more recently in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland must always be given our respect.”

Lament A piper played at Airdrie war memorial at 6am on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice; pictured with armed forces champion David Cullen, left, and council colleague Trevor Douglas

Tribute The silhouette statues are in place across North Lanarkshire, including another at Airdrie war memorial

Remembrance service Uniformed organisations at New St Andrew’s Church in Coatbridge on Remembrance Sunday

Striking The new silhouette statue in place at Coatbridge war memorial on Remembrance Sunday