THE Fallen in two world wars and other conflicts will be remembered at a Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in the Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie, on Sunday (November 8) to which all ex-service men and women and members of the public are invited.
The service is organised by Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and starts at 12.30pm.
The officer commanding the parade will be Colonel The Hon. Sir William Macpherson, and the parade marshal will be RSM William Whytock, Black Watch.
Standard bearers and organisations are to assemble in Upper Brown Street at 12.15pm to march off at 12.20pm by Brown Street, High Street, and Allan Street, to the Wellmeadow east side gate. Ex-service personnel unable to march are invited to join the parade inside the Wellmeadow.
The service at the Wellmeadow will be conducted by the Rev. Ian Knox, Scots Guards at 12.30pm.
The minister's opening remarks will be followed by the laying of wreaths by Legion representatives and other organisations, followed by prayer.
Last Post will be sounded and after a two-minute silence Binyon's Lines will be recited followed by the Kohima Epitaph. A piper will play the lament, The Flo'ers o' the Forest, followed by Reveille and the service will conclude with the benediction.
Members of the public wishing to lay wreaths are invited to do so at the conclusion of the service.
After the ceremony the pipe band, standard bearers, and others who wish to, will march back to the Legion Clubrooms where they will be dismissed.
Police will stop traffic during the two-minute silence and appeal for the co-operation of motorists.
Anyone wishing to mark the occasion in a more personal way may place a cross in a Garden of Remembrance, sited near the top gate, and Legion officials will be there with crosses on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7. Members of the Legion will be there from 10am to 4pm with crosses for those who wish to put one in the garden.
A representative of the organisers said they hope for public support for the Poppy Scotland Appeal in the period leading up to Remembrance Sunday.
“All money donated shows our gratitude in a tangible way,” he continued. “On-going conflict abroad means the Earl Haig Fund continues to need substantial sums to continue its work.”
BLAIRGOWRIE CAMPUS: There will be no service at the Wellmeadow on Wednesday, November 11, but there will be one at the Newhill Primary School, starting at 10.45am.
The War Memorial that was at the Hill Primary School is being moved to its new location at the Campus and the ceremony will be a re-dedication.
The service, conducted by the Rev. Ian Knox, will be similar to the one at the Wellmeadow on Sunday, and wreaths will be laid by Legion representatives and school pupils.
For those unable to be there the Royal British Legion Scotland hopes that the silence is observed at 11am in local shops and business premises.
COUPAR ANGUS: A Remembrance parade will take place at Coupar Angus on Sunday (November 8).
Coupar Angus Burgh Pipe Band, members of the Guides, Brownies, Cubs, and Beavers will leave from The Cross, Coupar Angus, at noon and march to the school to lay wreaths at the War Memorial.
All interested in joining the march should assemble at The Cross by noon.
LEGION APPEAL: As Remembrance Sunday approaches, the Royal British Legion Scotland says it is worth remembering that organisations such as them are available throughout the year to assist ex-service personnel who are in need.
The Royal British Legion Scotland provides a free war pensions advisory service which assists former services personnel to claim a pension or gratuity for injuries or medical conditions that have resulted in disablement and which are attributable to or aggravated by their former military service. You do not have to have seen service to qualify.
For further advice contact the Pensions Office, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HR, tel. 0131 557 2782, or visit the website www.rblscotland.org.uk.
