Rembering Paschendaele

[Bruce Scott]

" Thousands of people from across the country descended on the town of Crieff today ahead of a poignant parade and service to mark the 100-year commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele – a conflict that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Allied soldiers.
The national event, which will launch the wider ‘Crieff Remembers’ fortnight is being supported by Armed Forces charity Legion Scotland, and began at 10:30am with a parade through the town featuring more than 150 veterans along with serving soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
These days, Passchendaele is a small and sleepy village in the western part of Flanders, but a century ago it was the scene of the biggest battle ever fought on Flemish soil.
There was a massive Scottish presence in the battle, which was Sir Douglas Haig’s attempt to break through Flanders, with more than 50 battalions from Scotland fighting, joined by their expat comrades in Scottish battalions from Canada, England and South Africa.
Also taking part in Sunday’s parade will be a group of cyclists, representing The Black Watch (3 SCOTS), who arrived in the town having cycled more than 600 miles to Passchendaele.
Black Watch soldiers were involved in the Battle of Passchendaele, which is one of the many reasons why Crieff has such strong connections to the conflict, and the cyclists intend to carry their bikes as a poignant tribute to their fallen comrades from another era.
There was a service led by the Legion Scotland national padre. Several wreaths were laid, and among those taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony was Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, the President of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland. "

Video: https://www.facebook.com/armyinscotl...2001474305403/