Trip to remember war heroes
Two S3 history pupils from Crieff High School are set for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to France this weekend.
Amy Collins and Elizabeth Green are travelling to Europe to observe the centenary of the Battle of Arras at Scotland’s national commemorations.
The students are among 72 pupils from across Scotland selected for the five-day excursion.
The pupils will be joined by French and Canadian students at a memorial service at the Faubourg d’Amiens Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Arras on Sunday, where they will lay a wreath on behalf of their nations.
The Battle of Arras had the highest concentration of Scottish troops fighting in a single battle during World War One and 18,000 Scots lost their lives.
Organised by WW100 Scotland in conjunction with the Armed Forces in Scotland, Legion Scotland, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Education Scotland and Mercat Tours International, the commemorations will drive WW100 Scotland’s aim to encourage a spirit of research and inquiry, particularly among young people, to help create a lasting legacy.
Those in Scotland wishing to join in the Arras commemorations are encouraged to go to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on Sunday, April 9, where a service taking place in the Scottish National War Memorial at 6.30pm will be broadcast on a large screen ahead of a 7.30pm Beating Retreat conducted by the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Battle of Arras is of huge significance to Scotland’s commemorative calendar.
“Forty four Scottish Battalions and seven Scottish-named Canadian Battalions took part – the highest concentration of Scottish troops fighting in a single battle during World War One.
“I am heartened our young people will attend this commemoration – helping to ensure future generations will not forget the horrors and grief associated with war.”
As well as participating in the Arras commemorations, students will visit a range of other battlefields, cemeteries and memorials relating to the battles of Loos, the Somme and the Third Battle of Ypres.