Memorial garden a place to reflect
Special Armistice Day service organised
A wartime memorial garden that opened in Cambuslang two months ago will host a special service as part of the Armistice Day celebrations.
Cambuslang remembrance garden officially opened on August 23 after years of planning, and in perfect timing for the centenary of WWI ending.
Members of the remembrance garden committee have organised a ceremony for next Friday, November 9 – two days ahead of Armistice Day – so that pupils from every school in the area can attend.
The garden is based at the Toll Pitch Pavilion and features three commemorative plaques in tribute to war heroes.
Heather Ducie, of Cambuslang remembrance garden committee, said: “It was our hope to open the garden in time for the centenary so we’re really pleased we can hold the service on November 9.
“Teachers and pupils from all nine primary schools in Cambuslang will be attending, as will local politicians and other guests.
“Piper Tom McArthur, from Cambuslang, will also be playing.”
The garden and its three commemorative plaques were officially unveiled by Lanarkshire Lord Lieutenant Susan Haughey.
The main plaque reads: “The people of Cambuslang dedicate this garden in honour of the sacrifices made by those who served in World War I, World War II, and in all later conflicts.
“The moon will rise, the sun will set, we will never forget.”
At either side of the main plaque are tributes to the town’s two Victoria Cross recipients, John Brown Hamilton and Private Hugh McIver.
Relatives of the VC heroes also made a guest appearance at the opening of the garden.
A remembrance service will be held at Rutherglen Cenotaph, located on the western end of Main Street, at 12.30pm on Sunday, November 11.
Meanwhile, a short wreathlaying ceremony will also be held at the town’s “other” Cenotaph at the Mill Street entrance to Rutherglen Cemetery at 2pm on Friday, November 9.
There will also be two guided tours of the numerous war graves in the cemetery, the first at 11am and the second following the wreath-laying at about 2.15pm.
Rutherglen South councillor Robert Brown said: “In this centenary year of the Armistice, we are looking for a tremendous turnout at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance wreathlaying ceremony on Sunday, November 11 at 12.30pm which is Rutherglen’s main commemoration of those who suffered and died in war.
“However, the council is also keen to hold appropriate ceremonies at all the 44 cenotaphs throughout South Lanarkshire, so we have organised this smaller event at the cenotaph in Rutherglen Cemetery, associated with two guided tours of the war graves there conducted by Jane Barton of Turnstone Genealogy.”
Anyone interested in attending the tour of the war graves should meet at Rutherglen Cemetery Cenotaph at 11am or 2pm for second tour.