Coming together to remember
Events to mark battle centenary
Thousands of people from across the country are to descend on Perthshire this weekend for a poignant parade.
Sunday’s event in Crieff marks the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele – a conflict that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Allied soldiers.
Part of the wider Crieff Remembers series of events locally, the procession is being supported by armed forces charity Legion Scotland.
It will begin at 10.30am with a parade through the town featuring more than 150 veterans along with serving soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
There was a massive Scottish presence at Passchendaele, which saw Sir Douglas Haig attempt to break through Flanders.
It featured more than 50 battalions from Scotland fighting, joined by their ex-pat comrades in battalions from Canada, England and South Africa.
Also taking part in Sunday’s parade will be a group of cyclists, representing The Black Watch (3 SCOTS), who will arrive in the town that day having cycled more than 600 miles to Passchendaele and back after leaving Crieff on Wednesday last week.
Black Watch soldiers were involved in the bloody battle, which is one of the many reasons why the south-west Perthshire town has such strong connections to the conflict.
The returning cyclists intend to carry their bikes as a poignant tribute to their fallen comrades from another era.
Several wreaths are to be laid, and among those taking part in the tribute is Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, president of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.
Following the service, entertainment will be provided in the form of pipe bands, charity stalls and music from Legion Scotland singing sensation Amy Hawthorn – ensuring that a day of remembrance will also be one of joy and happiness.
Alastair McClymont, chair of the group behind Crieff Remembers – known as Festivals Crieff – said: “We are delighted to have Legion Scotland’s significant input to the launch of our Crieff Remembers programme.
“It’s very exciting for us and the town to have the Legion’s National Remembrance of Passchendaele as part of the community’s programme of events to mark the centenary of Passchendaele and the First World War in general.
“A lot of hard work has gone in to making this happen and hopefully members of the public will find the military parade through the town and the drumhead service in Market Park enjoyable as well as a moving experience, and then enjoy the family day being presented by Legion Scotland.”
In attendance on the day will be James McCabe, whose great-uncle, David Watson McDonald McCabe, fought and was wounded during the 2nd Battle of Ypres – which took place two years before Passchendaele.
He would return to the battlefield, but was seriously wounded and died as the Battle of Passchendaele loomed.
There is added poignancy as David McCabe’s great-great-great nephew, David McInally, will be parading as a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland band. Sunday Amy Hawthorn is to perform in Crieff on
Hopefully the public will find the parade and service enjoyable as well as moving