Communities fall silent in salute to fallen heroes
Provost Mike Robbins and Marjory McLachlan, Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, led those who on Sunday paid tribute to the area’s fallen heroes.
A Service of Remembrance in the Church of the Holy Rude was followed by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph in Corn Exchange Road.
The morning service was conducted by the Minister of the Church of the Holy Rude, Rev Alan Miller, and included a minute’s silence in memory of those from the city who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Readings were given by Provost Robbins and Mrs McLachlan and Col Charles Wallace, Deputy Commander, 51 Infantry Brigade.
Following the morning service, ex-services personnel, the soldiers of 7 Scots and the University Officer Training Corp plus youth organisations including Air Training Corp, Girl Guides, and Scouts marched down Spittal Street to the Municipal Buildings, opposite the Cenotaph, where the salute was taken. Providing a stirring accompaniment were members of Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band.
About 30 wreaths were laid by dignitaries, including Provost Robbins, representatives of services and city organisations and members of two families.
Guests included military personnel, Stirling MP Steven Paterson and MSP Bruce Crawford, and representatives of Stirling Guildry, Stirling, Seven Trades and emergency services.
The trumpeter was Fraser Harris and lone piper was Sgt David Beveridge of the Royal Artillery.
Cmdr Billy Adams, Royal Navy; Group Captain Derek Johnston, RAF, and Col Wallace were the three saluting officers, and the parade commander was Lt Andy Nicol, 7 Scots. Company Sgt Maj Kenny Petrie was parade sergeant major.
Provost Mike Robbins said: “Remembrance Sunday gave us all the opportunity to commemorate the sacrifices of our servicemen and women who paid the ultimate price in defending our country. I was glad to see so many members of the local community joined us at both the service and the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph.”
John Bell, secretary of the Stirling Branch of Royal British Legion Scotland, said: “Remembrance went well both at the church and also at the Cenotaph. People turned out in the numbers expected and as our numbers drop the numbers of those attending at the Cenotaph seem to rise.”
The service provides a focal point and an opportunity to come together