A memorial service took place in Aberdeen yesterday to remember a group of north-east soldiers who perished in the country’s “forgotten” war 60 years ago.
A total of 13 Gordon Highlanders who were stationed in Cyprus, as part of an attempt to unify the island with Greece, were killed during a forest fire in the first year of the conflict.
Margaret Singer, whose brother, Private Jimmy Cockie, died during the tragedy, made extensive efforts to locate relatives of those who lost their lives and invited them to the Gordon Highlanders’ museum for the anniversary.
In total, 108 relatives made it along to the ceremony, which included the placing of wreaths, readings from the Bible and Laurence Binyon’s war poem For the Fallen.
Among those in attendance was Duncan Lyon, who was stationed on in the Troodos Mountains when the tragedy struck.
The 80-year-old from Kemnay spoke of his memories of the disaster which touched so many families.
He said: “I was in the same company as the 13 people who got killed.
“One of them was my neighbour in Kemnay – Harry Gerrard.
“I was in the lorry when the fire broke out, it landed in flames and exploded and we were all scattered.
“I only survived because I landed on the top of a bank, someone pulled my leg and I fell to safety.
“The man who pulled me out died shortly afterwards.”
He added: “I came back to a hospital in Aldershot and I was there for a fortnight.
“I was then posted to a regiment in Bridge of Don where I finished my service.”
Mr Lyon became a farmer after his national service was complete, and has spent the rest of his life in Kemnay.
Mrs Singer explained why she was so motivated to bring relatives together for the special memorial service.
She said: “I did this because I never want to forget my brother.
“Ten years ago, one of the Gordon Highlanders who was in the fire, organised a memorial in Cyprus where most of the men are buried.
“I contacted his widow and got his contact address book and got in touch with as many relatives as I could.
“An overwhelming number made it along today.
“I thought maybe 30 or 40 would come along.”
