We shall remember them - across Dumfries and Galloway

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Remembrance services, parades and wreath laying ceremonies will take place at 97 war memorials across Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday (November 10) or on Armistice Day, which falls on Monday, November 11, this year.

Made all the more poignant as war currently rages in Europe and beyond, flags will be flown in respect at all main council buildings across the region from Friday, November 8, to Tuesday. November 12.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion said: “Remembrance Sunday is our opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. On this day, we remember our Armed Forces, and their families, as well as the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict and terrorism.”

Sunday’s services at places of worship and war memorials will be an opportunity for the public, veterans, Armed Forces personnel and organisations, civic leaders and Lord Lieutenants, vice and deputy Lieutenants, to remember and honour all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in two World Wars and conflicts since.

Many of the services will be organised by Royal British Legion Scotland branches and community councils and community groups and will observe a national two minutes silence at 11am.

Dumfries and Galloway Council said its councillors or representatives will lay a wreaths at every one of the region’s war memorials.

Some of the people in Dumfries and Galloway’s Ukrainian, Syrian, and Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes are to also lay wreaths in Dumfries, Sanquhar, Kelloholm, Lockerbie, Annan, Castle Douglas and Stranraer.

Dumfries and Maxwelltown Legion Scotland branch members, veterans and Armed Forces personnel will lead public commemorations at both Dumfries War Memorial (outside St John’s Church) and at Maxwelltown War Memorial.

A service will be held in St John’s Church, Newall Terrace, at 10am ahead of the parade, led by Dumfries Pipe Band, from Loreburn Hall for the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Dumfries War Memorial, where Provost Maureen Johnstone will lay her wreath on behalf of the townspeople.

Councillor Dryburgh will lay a wreath at 11am at Annan War Memorial, while Councillor Gail Macgregor, Depute Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council will lay a wreath simultaneously at Lockerbie War Memorial.

To mark the Armistice agreement 116 years ago to end the fighting of the First World War in 1918 (as a prelude to peace negotiations), the UK will also commemorate on Monday, Armistice Day.

There will be a national two minutes silence at 11am – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, again in respect of, and to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “In recognition of the importance of these national commemorative events, Dumfries and Galloway Council will be laying a wreath at every one of our region’s war memorials on Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday. The hope is that this will also be an opportunity to bring people together, united in their support for our veterans and armed forces. By acknowledging and remembering those who serve and protect us, we build respect and dignity in our communities.”

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