The north-east’s biggest town cold be left without a poppy appeal and Remembrance Day parade – because its Legion Scotland branch is facing collapse.
Dwindling membership of the ex-services organisation in Peterhead means it is due to be dissolved at the end of this month.
It has had to operate without a social club since 2011 when its former hall in Broad Street was sold to cover debts.
But members have continued to organise the annual poppy collection and Remembrance Day ceremony.
Only the British Legion – and Legion Scotland north of the border – can lawfully sell poppies to raise money for services charities.
To operate, branches must have veterans on their committees, and two of the Peterhead branch’s veterans died last year.
Last night, honorary committee member Dennis Bruce urged veterans from Peterhead and the Buchan area to come forward and serve on the committee.
Mr Bruce said: “For these sorts of things we need a committee to make decisions. Without a committee, we can’t take the branch any further.
“There hasn’t been enough interest and that’s the end of it.
“It doesn’t look like Peterhead can have a legion branch, which will have a knock-on effect to the remembrance service.”
An emergency meeting has already been convened to consider the available options, but if no new veterans join the committee by the annual meeting on Sunday, January 31 the branch will fold.
Local legion members raised more than £9,900 during the 2015 poppy appeal in Peterhead – an increase on the previous year.
Mr Bruce said: “The appeal was very successful last year but it’s a lot of work. When you’re dealing with these sums of money it needs a committee, you can’t leave it to individual people in my opinion.
“The appeal and parade would be in doubt – they’ve always been run by the legion. If no one comes forward by the AGM, the branch will close.”
Kevin Gray, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: “Legion Scotland, its members and the role the charity plays reaches into all of our communities from our largest cities to our smallest villages and the most remote areas of the country.
“Branches provide companionship and practical support for ex-servicemen and women and play an important role in promoting remembrance events to ensure that those who have fallen in conflict are never forgotten.”
Aberdeenshire councillor and veteran Mark Findlater, who served as a staff sergeant for the Royal Signals, said: “The legion is important for ex-servicemen and women to get a sense of community. You can swap stories and share experiences.
“We have to remember our soldiers and service people who have served their country. The legion is a living example of that and it’s important to have that in the community.”
Banffshire and Buchan coast MSP Stewart Stevenson added: “The members and branches of the Royal British Legion, now Legion Scotland, do sterling work all across the country and Peterhead has benefited from that over the years.
“I do hope that this appeal for support from those who have served in the forces results in a new lease of life for the Peterhead branch.”
Peterhead’s Remembrance Day service, which honours those who served in the two world wars and other conflicts, is held at the cenotaph in the town’s South Road.
Veterans march to the memorial where they are joined by the Sea Cadets and RNLI, before a service at Old Parish Church.