WATCH; Large crowd for Lerwick’s Remembrance Sunday parade

One of the biggest crowds in recent years attended today’s Rembrance Sunday service and parade at the Lerwick War Memorial.

The sun was shining as the Lerwick Legion Pipe Band led the parade, including the colours party, from Fort Charlotte to the memorial.

A few minutes before 11am the Rev Tom Macintyre led the wreath-laying party from Lerwick Town Hall, before also taking their places in front of the war memorial.

This particular Remembrance Sunday had special significance for Shetland as 100 years ago, on 13th November 1916, the isles suffered its biggest loss in a single day in either of the world wars during the Battle of the Somme.

Following the words “They shall not grow old as we that are left … we will remember them”, members of Lerwick Brass Band, led by Roy Hughson, played The Last Post and the colours were lowered as a mark of respect.

After two minutes’ silence the brass band played The Reveille, traditionally played at sunrise to wake the troops, and the colours were raised again.

The sun had disappeared but mercifully it remained dry as the wreath-laying began, with Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter and Shetland Islands Council vice-convener Cecil Smith laying the first two.

The Piper’s Lament continued as further wreaths were laid by representatives of the Royal British Legion, Lovat Scouts Association, Royal Air Force Association, Merchant Navy Association, G Troop 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, HM Coastguard, Police Scotland, RNMDSF, Salvation Army British Red Cross, RVS, Shetland Independent Cadet Battery RA ACF, youth organisations and Anderson High School.

After a further prayer by the Mr Macintyre, The National Anthem was played by the brass band, the parade and congregation was blessed, the colours returned to their positions in the column and the pipe band led the march to St Columba’s Church.