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Standard Bearer opens Edinburgh Remembrance Garden

AN 80-YEAR-OLD Scots Guards veteran has joined serving military at a ceremony marking the start of Remembrance week.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Nov 2014, 17:37 BST
War Veterans during a service next to the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. Picture: PAWar Veterans during a service next to the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. Picture: PA
War Veterans during a service next to the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Adam Carruthers, Edinburgh’s longest serving Standard Bearer, attended the opening of the Garden of Remembrance by the city’s Scott Monument.

Mr Carruthers was last week awarded the British Empire Medal for 50 years of service to veterans charity Legion Scotland.

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He and serving military personnel laid wreaths at the ceremony attended by the families of service men and women and Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Donald Wilson.

To mark the centenary of the First World War, Legion Scotland Standards wore the medals of relatives who served during the Great War.

Mr Carruthers said: “My father served in World War I. He never talked about his experiences but I think that was quite common back then.

“My two brothers also served in the Army. Like most who serve in the forces my family didn’t do it for any kind of recognition. Today and all of this week I will think about them and the men we lost in our battalion.”

The veteran signed up at 18 and served in the Scots Guards, which saw him deployed to the Suez Canal in Egypt where two of his battalion were shot and killed.

He said: “When you are still a teenager those things probably don’t affect you at the time. Now when I think back it’s hard to come to terms with how terrible it really was.

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Members of the public can make a donation for poppies, crosses and other Remembrance symbols at the Garden.

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Crosses can be planted in memory of loved ones in areas of the garden dedicated to Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force units and charities that support the veteran community.

All funds raised will contribute to the Scottish Poppy Appeal run by Poppyscotland.

Kevin Gray, chief executive officer of Legion Scotland, said: “It’s very important to help keep alive the memory of those who lost their lives in the defence of our country and those who have come home whose lives are changed forever as a result of their service.

“This year during the centenary of World War I it is especially poignant as we remember those who gave their life a hundred years ago and since, up to those serving in present day conflicts. We would encourage anyone coming along to wear their medals and those of their family members, in what we hope will be a special tribute.”

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