War dead are remembered as one more falls

Published on Sunday 14 November 2010 18:56

SCOTLAND stopped for two minutes as across the country people paid a silent tribute to the servicemen and women who have lost their lives fighting in wars at home and overseas.

• The leaders of the three main UK parties prepare to lay their wreaths at the Cenotaph

First Minister Alex Salmond attended a poignant wreath-laying at the Stone of Remembrance on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. A crowd of people, including veteran and serving personnel, surrounded the stone with their heads bowed as the two minutes were impeccably observed at 11am, on Remembrance Sunday. Afterwards, Edinburgh Lord Provost George Grubb bent down and laid a wreath of red poppies to commemorate the fallen.

As they paid tribute, another British soldier was added to the list of fatalities.

The Ministry of Defence said the man, who had not been named yesterday, was on a patrol in the Nad-e Ali area of Helmand province of Afghanistan, when he was hit by an improvised bomb.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, said: "On this day of all days, his loss feels especially poignant and, as with all of our brave, fallen comrades, will be forever marked in our thoughts; he will be sorely missed."

In Edinburgh, Mr Salmond, who also laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance, said: "Every man, woman and child in Scotland owes a debt of gratitude to those who have fought to protect our way of life and our freedom.

"In Scotland, we are privileged to have a long and proud military history, and all of our armed services are a credit to their country."

The Royal Mile also staged a Remembrance Sunday parade featuring past and present personnel, and other organisations including the St Andrews Ambulance Association, the Humanist Society, Girl Guides, Sea Cadets and the Army Cadet Force.

In Glasgow, 56 members of the crew from HMS Westminster formed a guard of honour in George Square while the band of HM Royal Marines Scotland paraded in front of the cenotaph.

Following a two-minute silence, the Lord Lieutenant laid a wreath on the Stone of Remembrance in the name of the citizens of Glasgow.

Wreaths were also laid by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, representatives of the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion Scotland.

A service of remembrance was held at St Nicholas Kirk in Aberdeen after a parade to the war memorial at Cowdray Hall, led by the Grampian Police pipe band.

A wreath was also laid in Glasgow Cathedral by Lieutenant Adam Robertson, of the HMS Defender, while Lothian and Borders Police took part in an annual Remembrance Day Service at the Polish War Memorial in Redbraes Place, in Edinburgh.

A minute's silence before kick off in the Clydebank Premier League clash between St Mirren and Celtic, at New St Mirren Park, was perfectly observed by both sets of fans.

The Parkhead club had apologised for an anti-poppy banner that was displayed during the club's 9-0 victory over Aberdeen, at Parkhead, the previous weekend.

In London, the Queen stood metres from the Cenotaph with her eyes fixed on the memorial, with other members of the Royal Family standing behind her in a line, as Big Ben began to chime at 11am yesterday.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal and Duke of Kent, who were all dressed in military clothing, stood unmoving as the seconds ticked by.

Close by was Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband, leaders of other parties, High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries and defence chiefs.

Thousands of people, including many veterans, stood and watched in silence.

After two minutes, soldiers from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a round from nearby Horse Guards Parade which echoed around Whitehall, signalling the end of the silence.

As the artillery blast faded Buglers of the Royal Marines sounded the haunting melody of The Last Post - which traditionally signalled the end of a soldier's day.

The Queen led the laying of the wreaths and was followed in seniority by the other royals - Philip, Charles, Andrew, Edward, Anne and Prince Edward - the Duke of Kent.

The monarch placed her floral tribute at the base of the monument and took a few steps back and bowed her head while the rest of the royals saluted. Mr Cameron led the politicians and diplomats in placing floral tributes at the memorial and was followed by many other groups.

The Queen also attended at Saturday night's annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, along with members of the Royal Family, Mr Cameron, veterans and their families.