Cycle tribute for WW1 battle fallen
The cyclists return to Crieff A group of cyclists paraded through the streets of Crieff after cycling more than 600 miles to mark the centenary of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
Eighteen soldiers from the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, as well as the City of Edinburgh Universities Officers’ Training Corps and 51st Highland volunteers, set off from the town on July 19.
They cycled to Flanders Fields in Belgium and arrived back in time to take part in a special procession through the centre of Crieff on Sunday as part of the Crieff Remembers commemorations.
During the gruelling challenge the team of cyclists read from a war diary dated from July 19-28, 1917, to poignantly mark what the Black Watch soldiers were experiencing 100 years ago during the Battle of the Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres.
The soldiers also paid their respects to the fallen when they visited the Passchendaele Memorial Museum and the Scottish Memorial in Zonnebeke.
Regimental Sergeant Major Kevin Stacey, from the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, was one of the cyclists taking part in the challenge.
He said: “I am deeply proud to come from an army family, with my grandfather, uncle and father all having served in The Black Watch.
“Between us we have over 100 years continuous unbroken service with each reaching the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.
“It is important that we do this journey on the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele to show our respect to those who fought in the battle, especially to those fallen soldiers and to our modernday veterans that have gone before us.
“All have fought hard for our freedoms, with some paying the ultimate sacrifice.” was a group of cyclists, representing The Black Watch (3 SCOTS), that arrived in the town having cycled more than 600 miles to Passchendaele.
Crieff and the surrounding area was a rich recruiting ground for The Black Watch, who were heavily involved in Passchendaele, which is one of the many reasons why Crieff has such strong connections to the conflict.
The cyclists carried their bikes as a poignant tribute to their fallen comrades from another era.
The service was led by the Legion Scotland national padre with a wreath-laying ceremony featuring Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, the President of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.
Following the service, entertainment was
provided in the form of pipe bands, charity stalls and music from Legion Scotland singing sensation Amy Hawthorn ensuring that a day of Remembrance was also one of joy and happiness.
Speaking at the event, Festivals Crieff chairman Alastair McClymont said: “There’s a real buzz about the town at the moment and we are delighted to have Legion Scotland’s significant input to the launch of our Crieff Remembers programme.
“As well as today’s wonderful parade, we also have the official opening of a truly unique exhibition of First World War material loaned from local families.
“It is open to the public from tomorrow until Saturday, August 12, and is supported by a programme of evening events. It is a very moving experience and one not to be missed.”