Alex Black
Placed amongst flowers in poignant service
Charlie was the last Cameronian killed in active service. His sister, Agnes Fotheringham was there along with former Cameronians.
Also there was Tam Balloch, Charlie’s pal in the regiment. Tam, who still stays in Rutherglen, told Charlie’s tragic tale to the Reformer last year, a story that helped put him in touch with Charlie’s family.
Local elected members and uniformed organisations laid wreaths after a short parade from Rutherglen Old Parish Church. The service was taken by locum tenen Alan Raeburn.
Afterwards, Tom Greatrex MP said: “The remembrance service in the Old Kirk and ceremony at the war memorial were both moving and poignant. The centenary of the start of the First World War has brought more attention to remembrance events across the UK, and a large turn out from Ruglonians on Sunday.
“That relatives of an Aden veteran whose name was added to the war memorial were present to lay a wreath also reminded us all that there are veterans from other conflicts who are also deserving of remembrance.”
At the Cambuslang war memorial, Rev Brian Graham of the Baptist Church took the service for the final time, while at Westburn Cemetery and the commemorative cairn on Gilbertfield Road, Rev Neil Glover led tributes to local soldiers.
At Cambuslang Parish Church, the war memorials from the three former church congregations were on display with youngsters from the local Boys’ Brigade, Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, Brownies and Guide groups all taking part in a special service.
Six groups picked the name of a man on the memorials and gave a short presentation on them. All the men chosen still have family in the Cambuslang area.
Jan Ritchie, congregation member, said: “The church was full to capacity with extra seating needed and the atmosphere was tremendous. It was a very moving service, made more so by the hanging ‘curtain’ of doves. Each dove had a message written on it by a member of our youth organisations expressing their hope for the future world. There must have been over 200 doves and the final prayer incorporated many of their thoughts.’’