Armistice Day letters: Thank you Evening News for first ever photo of our hero late relative

While purchasing my news on Saturday I was studying the front page with the pictures of the soldiers who did not return from the Great War.

To my amazement I saw a photograph of my great, great grandfather, Edward Patterson, from Newcraighall, who was killed in action on 3 September, 1918. I had never seen a photograph of him previously so this was a complete revelation to me and my family, especially in the centenary year. Thank you very much.

John Patterson, Musselburgh

Is two minutes’ silence really too much to ask?

Every day at the height of WWI, the Evening News published images of soliders who had been killed. Edward Patterson was among them.Every day at the height of WWI, the Evening News published images of soliders who had been killed. Edward Patterson was among them.
Every day at the height of WWI, the Evening News published images of soliders who had been killed. Edward Patterson was among them.

Once again my wife and I made the sombre ­journey to Haymarket for the Remembrance service on Sunday. I personally always find this a very humbling ­experience, especially the two ­minutes’ silence.

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Oh, but here is the rub: what silence? There was next to none, and who was to blame?

Let’s begin with Edinburgh City Council and Lothian Buses, among others. From the council; I blame the so-called transport convener ­Lesley Macinnes, (what is it with Edinburgh and transport conveners called ­Lesley?). Why weren’t the surrounding streets closed off for half an hour? Why were trams allowed to trundle by with bells constantly ringing? There were buses, cars ,taxis, vans and motorcycles continually passing (these modes of transport actually have engines that are noisy). One tram at 11.15am – I checked my watch – stopped almost opposite the memorial and the idiot driving it rang his bell whilst we were at prayer.

Why was the traffic not diverted up Magdala Crescent and round, as it was before when Haymarket Terrace was closed due to roadworks? As for the car, van and cab drivers; don’t ­pretend you were unaware of ­Sunday’s service.

Our front page on Saturday carried images of the fallen - one of them was Edward Patterson. His great great grandson, John Patterson, wrote to us.Our front page on Saturday carried images of the fallen - one of them was Edward Patterson. His great great grandson, John Patterson, wrote to us.
Our front page on Saturday carried images of the fallen - one of them was Edward Patterson. His great great grandson, John Patterson, wrote to us.

Let’s not hear from Ms Macinnes that they just can’t close streets willy nilly. They certainly managed that on Saturday for a rugby match; those ­closures lasted up to one and a half hours after the final whistle. Haymarket Terrace was closed almost all the way to Western Corner. But that’s OK to those fools in charge in the ­council – rugby takes priority over a mere Remembrance service.

It’s been said that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”. Now, I am aware that 67,000 does not really qualify as “few” but in comparison to the unknown millions who have been slaughtered in “man’s inhumanity to man” it is nothing.

Would it be ­possible for some of these ­people to put their heads together next year and allow, we the people, to have a real two minutes’ silence?

Jim Taylor, Essendean Place, Edinburgh