Kintyre pays tribute to military service and sacrifice

Musical tributes were provided by legion piper John McGeachy, who played the traditional lament Flowers of the Forest, and Katrina Barr of Campbeltown Brass Band, who played The Last Post on the cornet.

On Sunday, members of the community gathered at Campbeltown War Memorial and stood in solemn reflection as Kintyre Schools Pipe Band led a parade to the cenotaph, where Reverend Sass, joined by Campbeltown Free Church minister Reverend James Murray, led the service of remembrance.

Wreaths were placed at the foot of the war memorial by or on behalf of the following: The Lord Lieutenancy of Argyll and Bute, the Scottish Parliament, Argyll and Bute Council, Campbeltown Community Council, the RBLS Campbeltown branch, The Royal Engineers Association, Kintyre Veterans, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, His Majesty’s Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Rotary Club of Campbeltown, Lodge St John’s No 141 & St Kieran Royal Arch Chapter No 158, the Salvation Army, Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, Campbeltown Grammar School, Army Cadet Force, the 16th Argyll Scout Group, and the 1st Campbeltown Brownies. 

A cohort from Campbeltown Brass was present, with cornet player Charlie Colville performing The Last Post, with John McGeachy also playing the pipes.

The parade continued on to Campbeltown Parish Church where representatives of all of Campbeltown’s Christian denominations took part in an ecumenical church service.

The same day, at Glenbarr War Memorial, a good turnout of people gathered to pay their respects to those listed on the West Kintyre cenotaph, with wreaths placed on behalf of Glenbarr War Memorial Trust and Campbeltown Sea Cadet Unit, and piper Calum O’Hanlon performing Flowers of the Forest.

The following day, on Armistice Day, exactly 106 years after the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918, legion members were joined at the war memorial by members of the community and children from Campbeltown’s Dalintober and Castlehill primary schools.

A short service was led by Rev Murray, after which the children placed wreaths at the memorial, with Gordon Bennie of Argyll Signs thanked for creating the customised centrepiece badges for the schools’ wreaths at short notice.

Thanks were also paid to Campbeltown Brass cornet player Cara McFadzean, who also stepped up at short notice to play The Last Post.

Other schools, including Rhunahaorine Primary School at Tayinloan, held their own services of Remembrance to mark the occasion.

Speaking to the Courier this week, RBLS Campbeltown branch chairman George Rahman said: “Another year has passed as we remember all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

“We give thanks to them because without their sacrifice we would not be enjoying the freedoms that we enjoy today. 

“The Royal British Legion Scotland Campbeltown branch would like to thank the town and parish for their continued support for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. It was a great turn out for the parade and from all those watching. 

“It was really nice to see so many young children there, and hopefully as they grow up, they will never forget all the lives lost and sacrifices made in the name of freedom.”

He added: “The branch would like to give a special mention to Jason McCallum from Keeping It Local CIC for printing the order of service sheets for the marching contingent at no cost. Thank you.

“Lest we forget.”

Anyone who chose to sit on the benches at Campbeltown War Memorial to pay their respects would have had a clean seat thanks to six-year-old Emelie Willis and her little brother George, aged four, who rolled up their sleeves straight after school one day to scrub the benches clean before the Remembrance services.

In the last few weeks, the pair have been busy selling poppy badges to raise money for the Scottish Poppy Appeal and they are now warming up for their annual ‘soldier walk’ on Saturday November 23.