Remembrance Sunday in Hawick

[cessna152towser]

Kilted up in Royal Air Force tartan in honour of my late father who served in the RAF, 1940 to 1946 and who died in 2004; also in honour of Ann's older cousin, Sergeant Tom Hannah, RCAF, killed in action when the RAF Hampden aircraft he flew was shot down while on a mine-laying mission off Lorient in occupied France on 13th July, 1942. Ann's father's oldest sister and her husband emigrated to Toronto. Their Canadian born son being of Scots parentage volunteered his services and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Hawick Pipe Band musters prior to leading the parade of ex-servicemen to their open air service at the war memorial in the town's Wilton Park.

Parade of ex-servicemen setting off.

There were quite a few kilts out and about this morning.

Today's army were also represented, reminding us of more recent losses in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Having seen off the parade, I headed up the hill to attend the remembrance service in St. Mary's Church, where Ann and I are members.

Sadly, Ann is no longer able to get up to the church, but there is a lady comes to the house and helps her shower some Sundays which leaves me free to attend church for both of us and bring home the order of service for her to read. This is the front page.

After church, I caught the parade again on their way back into town.

The ex-servicemen march back towards the Town Hall where they will take the salute and dismiss.

Finally, if you want to hear Hawick Pipe Band from this morning's parade, here is a fifteen second video clip.