Pipers’ tribute to war dead
Perthshire paid a poignant piping tribute to the thousands of Scots killed or captured at St Valery-en-Caux in France.
The 80th anniversary of the WWII battle was commemorated around the country on Friday.
Alistair Duthie, pipe major of Perth and District Pipe Band, visited the memorial to the 51st Highland Division at the North Inch to play ‘The Heroes of St Valery’.
In Blairgowrie Calum Patterson and AJ MacGregor, both members of Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, also gave a touching performance.
The battle in northern France mainly involved the 51st Highland Division and resulted in the deaths of 1000 men from within its ranks, as well as thousands of French soldiers.
At least 4000 soldiers were wounded and 10,000 were taken prisoner.
They had remained in France following the successful mass evacuations at Dunkirk and had fought almost continuously for 10 days against the odds until finding themselves surrounded by German forces.
Provost Dennis Melloy said: “The battle of Saint Valéry-en-Caux is often called the forgotten Dunkirk but the sacrifices made by the 51st Highland Division are well remembered in Perth and Kinross and across the north of Scotland, where most of its troops hailed from.
“More than 500 pipers around the world took part in commemorations and I am proud Perth and Kinross was able to play its part in honouring the brave men of the 51st, despite the current lockdown.”