Remembrance Sunday on 12th November was a beautiful crisp, sunny day. As in previous years there was a good turn out of community groups and representatives from armed forces who formed the parade for the walk along the High Street to the area at the front of Rosebery Hall where Queensferry's War Memorial is located.
Local People also gathered to remember those lost and those affected by wars past and present. The service of Remembrance was conducted by Rev. David Cameron assisted by Father Deeley and Rev. Terry Harkin.
Last year saw the centenery commemorations of significant First World War events such as the battle of Jutland and the Somme Offensive. This year the focus has been on the battle of Arras and the battle of Passchendaele (Ypres). As with so much of the history of World War I the massive losses are hard to imagine or comprehend. The 39 days of the Battle of Arras, alone, had a casualty list of 4,076 men.
Queensferry History Group has researched the stories behind the men listed on both the Queensferry and Dalmeny Memorials. Since 2014 the group has prepared a list for the annual Remembrance Service, of the casualties for each year of the war from both communities. It is always moving to hear the names of the men being read out in the centre of the town that they would all have been familiar with and from where they left, never to return.
Information from "The Voice", monthly newsletter of Queensferry Heritage Trust, with some input this month from Queensferry History Group.
©Queensferry History Group 2017
©Queensferry History Group 2017