Erskine marked Armistice Day with a moving Service of Remembrance at their Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bishopton care homes.
At the charity’s biggest home in Bishopton, veterans, staff and visitors gathered around the home’s Memorial Stone to pay tribute to their comrades in the armed forces and to remember those who gave their lives in service. Leading the proceedings was Reverend Jonathan Fleming, the Minister of Erskine Parish Church.
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Conway, Erskine’s CEO, read Binyon’s poignant lines from ‘For the Fallen’, before bugler Dr Jennifer Rollo marked the start and close of two minutes’ silence. Piper Craig McFarlane concluded with ‘The Flowers of the Forest’, as wreaths were laid on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen; Erskine veterans; staff and cottagers as well as Renfrewshire Council and local schools.
Proud to be laying a wreath on behalf of Erskine veterans was Erskine Home resident and Army veteran Peter Knowles aged 89.
Also laying a wreath was Army veteran 86 year old Tommy McSorley from Glasgow who has received respite care at Erskine for seven years. Tommy describes Erskine as “his home from home.” He said: “It’s a total honour to be asked to lay a wreath at Erskine. My father is in my thoughts on Armistice Day. He served in the Highland Light Infantry. I also think of my cousin who lost an arm in Burma.”
Many Erskine veterans have been laid to rest over the years in Bishopton Cemetery so a wreath was also laid there.
Steve Conway said: “Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are two very significant dates for our veterans, as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts from the First World War to the present day.
“Some of our residents saw active service in the Second World War and others, as well as some staff members, served in subsequent conflicts which may have been more limited geographically but which still had a devastating effect on individuals and families.
“At this time of year we remember all those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom, and we honour their memory by caring for those that did return.”
