Glasgow remembers war dead as nation falls silent for Armistice Day

Nov 11 2009

Armistice Day

GLASGOW fell silent for two minutes on Wednesday as Britain paid tribute to its war dead.

The fallen were remembered at Armistice Day events around the country.

It marked the 91st anniversary of the end of the First World War, when Germany and the allied forces signed the armistice signalling the end of hostilities on the Western Front

In Glasgow a service was held at the cenotaph in George Square, pictured. Lord Provost Bob Winter attended and members of the Royal British Legion laid a wreath.

Veterans also joined members of the public at a Rememberance Service held in Central Station.

And at the war memorial on Auchinairn Road in the Glasgow North East constituency, by-election candidates gathered for the two-minute silence.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Eileen Baxendale, SNP candidate David Kerr, Labour candidate Willie Bain and Scottish Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson lined up to remember those killed in war.

On Sunday, Remembrance Sunday, hundreds of ex-servicemen and women took part in the annual march to the music of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, leading into George Square before the traditional moment of silence.

There are no local veterans left from the first world war, and a dwindling number from the second, but the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have put war and military sacrifice firmly in the nation's minds this year.

James Watson was one who served proudly in the Pacific fleet and, at 84, insisted on paying his respects to fallen friends. He was joined by former Royal Artillery soldier Duncan Mills, now aged 90.

At 11am, a bugle sounded, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast and the crowd fell silent.

Dignitaries included Lord Provost Bob Winter and Secretary of State Jim Murphy at the Cenotaph.

George Ross, acting general secretary of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said: "We are proud to play our part in helping the nation pay their respects."

Other services were marked around the city, from community churches to local war memorials.

At the University of Glasgow, an annual commemorative service was held in the chapel, including a sermon by Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic Studies and Public Understanding at the university.

Smaller services were held on November 11, to mark the day the guns stopped 91 years ago.