Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MSPs’ welcome for the Wreath of Respect
Relatives of fallen on visit to Parliament
The Coatbridge relatives of fallen war heroes visited the corridors of power at Holyrood to highlight the sacrifices they and millions of others made for their country.
Berni Wilkins’ greatuncle, Patrick Gallacher, was killed in action during World War I and her dad, Jim Bradley, was awarded the prestigious Medal of Ushakov for his service with the Arctic convoys in World War II.
Berni, 65, has become a custodian for the Wreath of Respect – a handmade metal structure representing remembrance and peace – and took the memorial to the Scottish Parliament to promote “remembrance, respect and reconciliation”.
She has hailed the visit as a “phenomenal success” and was delighted with politicians’ response to the wreath, with Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor and his Central Scotland counterparts Elaine Smith and Margaret Mitchell among those to show an interest.
Berni told the Advertiser: “I was extremely grateful to everyone who showed such genuine interest in the work of the wreath, and spent time chatting, particularly during such a busy and important time in the parliament’s schedule.
“The wreath had been to the Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland, with plans to take it to Westminster, so I asked about taking it to Holyrood.
“I contacted the Scottish Government and we were able to settle on a date which, suitably, came around Remembrance time.
“I’m hoping we can visit Holyrood with the wreath again in the future.”
The Wreath of Respect was commissioned by an anonymous donor in 2014 to show appreciation and respect for anyone affected by war, “no matter their nationality”.
Berni explained how she got involved with the wreath, saying: “My greatuncle, Sapper Patrick Gallacher, never returned from World War I.
“He passed away in Etaples military hospital on November 13, 1918, and my gran received a telegram explaining what had happened.
“My dad was also honoured with the Medal of Ushakov for his time with the Arctic convoys in World War II, so my family has a lot of history with military conflicts. When I found out about the Wreath of Respect, I offered to contact the media to try and publicise it and, from there, was asked to be a custodian.
“There are another two custodians, but I am the one who travels around the UK with the wreath.
“I absolutely love what I do and it fills me with a large sense of pride.
“I enjoy talking to people and seeing their reaction when they hold the wreath; some cry, some smile and others say it makes them feel peaceful.”
Mr MacGregor added: “I was delighted to welcome Berni to the Parliament as she toured with the Wreath of Respect.
“She told me about her great-uncle, who was from Coatbridge, and died in the First World War.
“It is important that every effort is taken to ensure that we always remember those who lost their lives in wars, and I congratulate Berni on this fantastic endeavour.”
His fellow MSP, Ms Smith, said: “I was pleased to meet Berni, especially as her great-uncle was from Coatbridge.
“Afterwards, I was able to send her a photo of his name on the list of war heroes from St Patrick’s parish featured in the book published by parishioner Robert Corrins, entitled St Patrick’s Coatbridge And The Great War 1914-1918: A Roll of Honour.
“Remembrance of the Great War is particularly important to me as I am very proud of my great grand father Jimmy McDowell, a steelworker from Coatbridge, who fought and returned from the war having lost a leg.
“This caused him to be unemployed and the family suffering financial hardship and we understand, because of this, he had to sell his well-earned silver m medal.
“We should never forget t the suffering and hardship of our war heroes and I firmly believe everything should be done in the future to avert further young people being sent to fight in unnecessary w wars.”