A time to remember the fallen

Veterans and townsfolk gather around cenotaph to honour our war dead

It was an emotional day in Rutherglen and Cambuslang as residents came together to remember those who gave their lives for their country.

Among the crowd at the Remembrance Sunday service at Rutherglen Cenotaph were ex-servicemen Jackie McCutcheon and Barry Keenan.

The pair met each other for the first time as they remembered colleagues no longer with them.

Services were also held at Cambuslang War Memorial, Toll Pitch, Westburn Cemetery and the cairn on Gilbertfield Road.

Rutherglen and Cambuslang fell silent on Sunday to remember those who died in both world wars and other conflicts.

Dozens turned out at the cenotaph in Rutherglen on Remembrance Sunday where Rev Alan Raeburn from the Old Parish Church took the service.

At Cambuslang Rev Leslie Milton led proceedings along with Father Paul Morton and Rev Paul Fletcher.

Other services were held at Westburn Cemetery and the commemorative cairn on Gilbertfield Road where Rev Neil Glover once again led proceedings.

In Rutherglen, Inspector Jim Gillespie from Rutherglen Police and Clare Haughey MSP both gave readings while many ex-servicemen laid wreaths to mark the occasion. Among those present were veterans Jackie McCutcheon and Barry Keenan, who met for the first time.

Jackie served with the Rifles while Barry was with the Seaforth Highlanders.

Depute Provost Pam Clearie was there to represent South Lanarkshire Council alongside other politicians who laid wreaths, such as Margaret Ferrier MP.

Rutherglen Community Council, the Rutherglen Incorporation of Tailors, the local orange lodge and the 38th Glasgow Scout group also laid wreaths.

Rev Raeburn said it was important to pass the message of remembrance on to local youngsters.

He said: “There was a big turnout from the various organisations and among them was a scattering of young people. It is an opportunity to get our message to a wider audience and that’s very important.”

There was a big turnout and among the various groups was a scattering of young people Rev Raeburn

We will remember Jackie McCutcheon and Barry Keenan

171116rememb_07 Reading Clare Haughey MSP gave a reading at the ceremony as well as laying a wreath

171116rememb_11 Community (from left) Barry Cathie, Jackie McCutcheon and Tommy Rooney of Rutherglen Community Council

171116rememb_01 On the march The Salvation Army band marched to the cenotaph

171116rememb_13 Honour Representatives from Rutherglen Orange Lodge pay their respects

Parade The 217th Gilbertfield BB company march through Cambuslang on their way to the war memorial

We will remember There was a short service at the commemorative cairn in Gilbrtfield

171116rememb_10 Solemn Jim Stevenson and Ronnie Forrest of the Rutherglen Incorporation of Tailors

171116rememb_06 Tribute Margaret Ferrier MP

171116rememb_05 Memorial Depute Provost Pam Clearie was there to represent the council

171116rememb_03 Service Rev Alan Raeburn took the service