They forgot to remember on Armistice Day

A man whose grandfather and uncle died while fighting for their country was dismayed to find an Armistice Day service had been overlooked.
Schoolchildren pay their respects during an Armistice Day service in Craigneuk some years ago.Schoolchildren pay their respects during an Armistice Day service in Craigneuk some years ago.
Schoolchildren pay their respects during an Armistice Day service in Craigneuk some years ago.

Bobby Marks went along to Craigneuk War Memorial, expecting clergy, schoolchildren and others to be paying their respects.

However, the closure of the adjacent public library earlier this year meant the service wasn’t organised as usual.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The war memorial was unveiled only five years ago after campaigners raised £60,000. The name of every serviceman and woman from the area killed since the First World War is engraved on it.

Mr Marks, from Newarthill, said: “It was really disappointing. Two veterans had turned up. They laid a wreath and we had a two-minute silence, but it wasn’t like it was before when you would have clergy attending, with pupils from schools and the Last Post playing.

“We can’t forget something as important as this.”

Craigneuk councillor Gary O’Rorke attended a service at the memorial two days later on Remembrance Sunday, but agreed the event on the 11th day of the 11th month is just as important.

He said: “Jean Ewart from the library did a great job organising things like this in the community and what’s happened is an unfortunate consequence of the library closing.

“I’ll write to Craigneuk Community Council and others to see about having the service back next year.”