New memorial sees its first ever parade
But remembrance events limited again this year
This year the main act of remembrance in Perth will be held at 11am on Thursday, November 11, at the new TRI Service Memorial built by the Association of Perth Veterans (APV) at the rear of St John’s Kirk.
It will be the only organised remembrance parade in the Fair City this year.
However, there will be a short service of remembrance on Sunday, November 14, in St John’s Kirk – but numbers will be restricted and attendance will be by invitation only due to the COVID regulations.
Retired colonel James MacRae is secretary of the APV.
He explained yesterday: “This will be the first time the APV has been able to hold a proper, large-scale parade at their new memorial to honour all those men and women of the armed forces that gave their lives in the service of our country.
“The memorial represents the three armed services and a bronze plaque on it is inscribed with the badges of the Navy, Army and Air Force.
“It was unveiled after a hard-fought campaign by the APV in November, 2020, but due to COVID only a small parade took place.
“This year also ceases the act of remembrance being held at Perth’s Mercat Cross. It was never a war memorial, but was built in memory of King Edward VII.
“Over the years, laying wreaths at this memorial has been an insult to our war dead.
“From now on, the new purpose-built war memorial will be Perth’s main focus point for the act of remembrance for all those that served our country and gave so much.”
The veterans will form up on parade in front of the memorial in St John Street at 10.50am.
In addition to the APV, the parade will include members of the Black Watch Association, the RAF Association, the RCT Association and the Airborne Alliance.
Standard- bearers from these associations will also be on parade.
Wreaths will be laid in order of seniority under the direction of Stewart Grant, Perth and Kinross Council’s town officer.
Wreath layers will include the LordLieutenant, Provost, MSPs, MPs, senior officers of the armed forces, police, fire and rescue services, veterans, serving members of the armed forces and members of the public.
The service will be conducted by Rev Col Ian Evans, padre of the APV.
The commanding officer of the 7th Scots, Lt.- Col. Duncan Mackinnon, Royal Regiment of Scotland, is providing a bugler to play the Last Post and Reveille and a piper to play the Flowers of the Forest.
All veterans and members of the public are welcome to attend and lay a wreath if they wish.
The APV now has almost 300 men and women members from all three armed services.
It has its own breakfast club, as well as a Facebook page, and any former member of the armed forces is eligible to join.
Membership is free and all that is required is the person’s name and service number, the unit they served with, along with contact details.