Community’s tribute to its fallen heroes
Crowds packed the Wellmeadow, inside and out, for the Service of Remembrance on Sunday.
Unlike last year the rain stayed off until just about the end of the service.
The range of ages was from the youngest of children to ex-service men and women in their eighties and nineties.
Arrangements were by the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, and the service was conducted by Rev Harry Mowbray, Blairgowrie Parish Church, assisted by the Very Rev Kenny Rathband, St Catharine’s Scottish Episcopal Church, and Rev Father Gregory Umunna, St Stephen’s RC Church.
The parade commander was Col Jim Gibb, RBLS branch chairman, and the parade adjutant was RSM WD Whytock, Black Watch.
Others in the Wellmeadow included Brigadier CC Dunphie, Bridge of Cally; Major Charles Dunphie, ex Rifles; Major Mark Taylor, Royal Logistics Corps; MSP Murdo Fraser; Blairgowrie and Glens councillors Caroline Shiers and Bob Ellis, as well as other exservicemen and women.
In his opening remarks Mr Mowbray said that with the passing of the years, remembering events of so many years ago becomes more, not less, important.
“One hundred years ago, the Battle of the Somme was still raging, a battle which claimed countless lives, many of them men local to Blairgowrie and district,” he continued.
“The years since have seen further conflicts. The continuing conflicts in our world act as a sharp reminder of the need to remember the sacrifices that have made it possible for us to meet here today in peace and freedom.” Wreaths were laid on behalf of the RBLS branch by Col Jim Gibb, RBLS branch chairman, and the Women’s Section by Dot Leighton, chairman.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Black Watch Association by Arthur Beedie, ex-Black Watch; Brothers in Arms Motor Cycle Club by Willie Inglis, ex-Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; Blairgowrie Army Cadets by Claire Nellies; Blairgowrie Air Cadets by Sgt Rea Bloice; Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council by Morag Young, chairman; Blairgowrie Parish Church by Alisdair Drummond, session clerk; Blairgowrie Lodge St John by Rory Lean RWM; Blairgowrie High School pupils and staff by Lewis Kinney, head boy, and Sarah Campbell, senior prefect ; 2nd Blairgowrie BB Co by Sgt Robert Rae; Scouts by Cub Scout Cameron McMaster.
Other wreaths were laid by Councillor Shiers on behalf of other Ward 3 councillors Provost Liz Grant and Councillor Bob Ellis.
A total of around 20 wreaths were laid, others being on behalf of other local and national organisations.
After prayers led by Mr Mowbray, Last Post was sounded by Clair Annan, followed by a two-minute silence and the reciting of Binyon’s lines: “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old ...” by Col Gibb, and the Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home tell them of us and say: ‘For your tomorrow we gave our today’ by Father Gregory.
The Lament, The Flo’ ers o’ the Forest, was played by Pipe Major Calum Paterson, and Reveille by Mrs Annan.
The benediction was pronounced by Very Rev Kenny Rathband.
The parade from the Legion’s George Street Clubrooms to the Wellmeadow was led by Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Calum Patterson, and included members of the local Legion branch and detachments from Air Cadets led by Flight Lieut. Mike Mooney; Army Cadets led by Major Liz Mason; 2nd Blairgowrie BB Company led by Mr Bruce Dow, company captain; Blairgowrie and Rattray Scout Group led by Scout Leader Keith Pickman; Blairgowrie Rattray Guides and Brownies led by East Division Commissioner Jenni Robertson and Guide Leader Priscilla Wares.
The Queen’s Colours were carried by Willie Donaldson, and the Legion Standard by Mike Smeaton.
The Blairgowrie ACF Detachment standard was carried by Cadet Sgt Alexander MacGregor; ATC standard by Flight-Sgt James Hilditch; 2nd Blairgowrie Boys’ Brigade colours by Sgt Callum Stewart; the Scouts standard by Cub Scout Innes Robb; the Guides standard by Ruth Darrell; and the Brownies standard by Megan Barrell.
• Turn to the centre pages for more pictures from Sunday.