Shire ceremonies pay tribute to fallen of past and present conflicts
War veteran, 83, takes salute at memorial he has helped tend for more than 60 years
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An 83-year-old north-east World War II veteran yesterday took the salute at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the village war memorial which he has helped tend for more than 60 years.
William Adie, his campaign medals gleaming in the autumn sun, marched smartly forward to place a Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association wreath at the Methlick monument commemorating war dead from the rural community.
The World War II serviceman, of Gordon Crescent, then took the salute at the ceremony in honour of the sacrifice made by fallen soldiers.
He said: “I have had many helpers in caring for the memorial over the years. It’s a task I am proud to continue with so long as I am able.”
Mr Adie served with an RAF air sea rescue unit in Europe during the war.
Mr Adie is now honorary president of Methlick branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
A wreath of poppies on behalf of the branch was laid by Marcus Leslie, of Methlick Wood, who served with the Royal Signals in the Gulf and the former Yugoslavia.
Among a large crowd at the ceremony was 86-year-old widow Margaret Buchan, of Manse Field. She lied about her age to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force at the age of 17, during World War II.
Remembrance services and ceremonies across Aberdeenshire yesterday. In All Saints Church at Whiterashes, a 3pm service featured poetry, readings and recollections of soldiers from the local area – including World War I hero William Machray.
The 22-year-old Royal Scots sergeant received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery, but was killed in 1917.
In Stonehaven, more than 100 people marched from the town’s Market Square to the South Church where a service of remembrance was held.
Drum major Davie Rae led Newtonhill Pipe Band ahead of a procession of veterans, community members and cadets.
The march past was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Kincardine Carol Kinghorn, who expressed her thanks to all involved in the town’s Royal British Legion after the parade. The majority of the parade attended the wreath laying at the Black Hill war memorial, near Dunnottar Castle, where Iain McFadden played the lament Flowers of the Forest.
Representatives from the coastguard, Grampian Police and British Red Cross were among those who laid a wreath at the memorial, accompanied by a lone bugler and piper.
Reverend Ronnie Gall, who was involved with services at both Luthermuir and Laurencekirk churches yesterday, said: “They were fairly full churches. The theme of the sermon was remembrance.
“We were thinking about the cost, commitment and consequences of war. It’s very important we still remember them.”
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