Last Post rings out at funeral of one of Scotland’s last D-day veterans
The life of one of Scotland’ s last D-day veterans was celebrated yesterday as civic dignitaries, former comrades, and schoolchildren gathered with friends and family to pay their final respects.
Edinburgh-based Alexander Bryant died aged 93 just weeks before the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy which he witnessed unfold before his eyes as an 18-yearold sailor.
More than 100 mourners attended the moving funeral service at St. Margaret’ s Church in South Queensferry. Funeral director Steven Herriot told those gathered for the service that the weather was on their side as the sun shone.
Primary seven pupils from local schools waited outside the church to pay their respects to Mr Bryant for his involvement in the local community and an honour guard of Sea Cadets walked on either side of the hearse as the cortege arrived.
Once at the church, near his home in South Queensferr y, two standard bearers carried Royal Navy flags marking his service during the Second World War.
And there was a poignant and moving final tribute to Mr Bryant at the grave-side as Royal Marine buglers played The Last Post.