On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 102 years ago the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front ending history’s costliest conflict to that point.
Millions were slaughtered on the fields of Flanders and the Somme, Verdun and Vimy Ridge. Many called it “the war to end all wars” because they couldn’t ever imagine horror occurring ever again.
They wore poppies to remember those who fell in the Great War of 1914-1918, but their hopes were dashed that the guns would never restart with Britain engaged in many other wars in the following decades.
Yesterday the north-east fell silent at 11am to remember the sacrifice of all who had given their lives for their country.
All who served in World War I have now died, but aging veterans from the 1939-45 war against Hitler, the forgotten battles in Korea, Malaysia, Kenya, the Suez and Cyprus to more recent conflicts in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan once more donned their uniforms and stood silent to remember the dead.
A poignant ceremony was held in Aberdeen Football Club’s home of Pittodrie stadium where young and old gathered to remember the 16 of the clubs players who died in the two world wars.
A large contingent of the city’s Nepalese contingent – with several Ghurkas among them – joined Lord Provost George Adam and many pupils from Northfield, Hazlehead and St Machar academies at the event.
Wreathes were solemnly laid and the last post echoed through the concourse of the Richard Donald Stand.
One of the proud flag-bearers at the stadium was George Beveridge, a former Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders who joined the regiment in 1961.
He said: “I come here for the many who lost their lives as well as all of the prisoners of war that went through the misery we can’t imagine.”
Also present was 16-year-old Northfield Academy head girl Lisa Greig who said: “My dad is in the army so it is something that I have been brought up knowing about.
“I think it’s really important that young people know just how grateful we should be.”
Mr Adam added: “It’s very important and I think every year that passes it gets more important to remember our forefathers who have given so much.”
Elsewhere in Aberdeen, Marsichal College and the exhibition and conference centre were lit up red in remembrance.
