VETERANS and serving soldiers were joined by crowds of thousands of people yesterday as they marked 100 years since the start of Battle of Passchendaele.
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) paraded through the Perthshire town of Crieff to remember the horrific First World War battle, which cost 500,000 lives.
More than 50 Scottish battalions took part in the British and Commonwealth attacks near Ypres in Belgium in 1917, with the fighting lasting from July 31 until November 10. Ex-pat Scots were also present in battalions from England, Canada and South Africa.
Conditions were so bad the earth on the battlefields turned to liquid mud, in which many men drowned. Poet Siegfried Sassoon wrote: “I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele.”
Some of those on parade yesterday included serving Black Watch troops who had returned from Ypres following a 600-mile cycle. The group carried their bikes in tribute to Scots who lost their lives in the battle.
The event, supported by armed forces charity Legion Scotland, also marked the beginning of a wider “Crieff Remembers” fortnight. The community was particularly affected by Passchendaele due to the high number of local Black Watch soldiers who participated.
A wreath-laying ceremony and service were also held, however, pipe bands and other musicians also performed to ensure that, according to veterans’ charity Poppyscotland, “a day of remembrance was also one of joy and happiness”.
Alastair McClymont, chairman of Festivals Crieff, said the event had been “wonderful”. A programme of evening events followed, along with an exhibition of First World War material loaned by local families.
Among those attending were two generations marking their families’ connection to the conflict.
David Watson McDonald McCabe fought and was wounded in the second Battle of Ypres, which took place two years before Passchendaele.
He returned to the battlefield but sustained further serious wounds and died as the Battle of Passchendaele loomed.
He was remembered yesterday by his great-nephew James McCabe and great-great-great nephew David McInally, who paraded as part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland band.
While the Scottish commemoration was taking place, politicians and relatives attended a ceremony at the Menin Gate war memorial near Ypres, which bears the names of thousands of missing soldiers.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “These services provide us with the time to reflect on the sacrifice not just of the thousands of British and Commonwealth troops who gave their lives, but of the men on all sides who did not return home.
“This battle touched communities across Europe and it is a privilege to stand as friends with the representatives of all the countries who took part in the battle – friends who continue to be strong allies.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here