Local politicians, religious leaders, and representatives of the armed forces, community groups and youth organisations gathered together on Remembrance Sunday at the Cambuslang War Memorial to commemorate the centenary of the ending of World War 1, and to remember those who have died in all conflicts. Hamish B Allan, who served in Malaya, laid a wreath on behalf of Cambuslang Community Council, and Hilda and Bobby Allison laid a wreath on behalf of the Cambuslang Remembrance Garden Group.

The commemoration, which was attended by over 100 local people, was conducted by Rev. Dr. A. Leslie Milton of Cambuslang Parish Church. Fr Paul Morton of St Bride’s RC Church Cambuslang spoke about the unimaginable magnitude of the loss of life, injury and destruction experienced in WW1, and the way it touched every town, village and family in the United Kingdom, as well as the many other countries in Europe and across the world involved in the conflict.

Focusing on the experiences of the ‘common soldier’, Fr Morton read out the poem ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ by Wilfred Owen:

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
      — Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
      Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
      Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
      And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

 

What candles may be held to speed them all?
      Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
      The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds

 

The commemoration was part of a series of events held in Cambuslang, including a service held in Cambuslang Remembrance Garden on Friday 9th November, a Battle’s O’er Pipe Tribute on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, and a service in Westburn Cemetery and on the site of the former Gateside War Hospital (at Aldi, School Avenue).

  

On Monday, 12th November, a service at the Hamilton VC Memorial commemorated those awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award in the UK honours system, for gallantry “in the presence of the enemy”. Hugh McIvor from Cambuslang was recently added to the memorial for his “most conspicuous bravery in WW1.