First World War tragedy is remembered on Islay
ISLANDERS, descendants and dignitaries paid respects to First World War soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in two separate 1918 sinkings off Islay.
On Friday May 4 a large crowd, including HRH The Princess Royal, the cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs Fiona Hyslop, the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell MP and the United States ambassador to the UK Robert Wood Johnston gathered at noon in front of Port Ellen War Memorial on Islay for the main commemorative service to remember the US and British lives lost when SS Tuscania and HMS Otran- to sank 100 years ago.
Islay Pipe Band led a parade into Port Ellen, including children from all the island schools carrying the 41 state flags representing the areas of the USA which were home to the servicemen lost in the Tuscania and Otranto tragedies.
In the closing year of the Great War, as the people of Islay mourned the loss of many of their own young men in faraway fields, they witnessed the war’s devastation on their own shores.
Two hundred US soldiers and British crew perished when the SS Tuscania was torpedoed on February 5, 1918. The islanders responded with courage, kindness and sympathy, caring for the rescued and respectfully burying the dead.
A further disaster followed when, on October 6, the HMS Otranto sank with the loss of 500 American and British servicemen. Again the people of Islay rose to the immense challenge and worked tireless to bury the huge number of the dead with dignity, and care for the few who made it to shore alive.
Royal British Legion Scotland national chairman, Charlie Brown, said: ‘We stay true to our commitment and the words ‘We will Remember them’ by ensuring that the sacrifice of more than 700 US servicemen and British crew members is never forgotten.
‘It is heartwarming that in times of great tragedy and loss of life, the human spirit of comradeship and sense of belonging joins nations as one in the hope that peace will prevail over the loss of life.’
US General Curtis M Scaparrotti, USEU-COM Commander, said: ‘During the centennial of US entry into First World War, we commemorate America’s sons and daughters who defended peace; many of them descendants of European immigrants who came to America seeking freedom, opportunity and a better life.’
Chief of the German Navy, Vice Admiral Andreas Krause, said: ‘Today we commemorate the 633 sailors of the United States Navy who gave their lives in the service of their country here off the island of Islay. The horrors of the World Wars are still etched in the minds of the people in Europe, and particularly in Germany.’
A ceremony was also conducted on Thursday May 3, on board Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Raider, by Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, national padre of the Royal British Legion Scotland, with Captain Chris Smith RN and Legion Scotland’s chairman Charlie Brown and CEO Kevin Gray.
Lord George Robertson of Port Ellen, whose grandfather was the police sergeant on the island when both ships sank, laid a wreath.