RENFREW paid tribute to its war dead this week to mark the 100th anniversary of the original unveiling of the town’s roll of honour.
A special re-dedication ceremony took place at the Hairst Street memorial which carries the names of hundreds of people killed in two world wars and the Falklands conflict.
Local residents, politicians and members of the armed forces fell silent to honour those who had lost their lives, with wreaths and summer flowers laid next to the monument.
Also in attendance was the family of paratrooper Lance Corporal James Murdoch, who died in the Falklands conflict in 1982, at the age of 25, as his name is the last one on the memorial.
A small exhibition has also been put together by Renfrew Community Council in the town hall this week, which features pictures of the original unveiling of the town’s roll of honour and those named.
Moira Searl, deputy chair of Renfrew Community Council, told The Gazette: “The ceremony went smoothly and was well attended by many people from the town.
“This event was about the community remembering the unveiling of the memorial a century ago and the events that have taken place over these last 100 years.
“The support we were given in organising this event from the Provost and Renfrewshire Council was remarkable, with our local councillors also being really helpful.
“There has also been a lot of cooperation from OneRen, who provided us with a space in the town hall to put our little exhibition up.”
To further mark the occasion, Renfrewshire North and West MSP Natalie Don lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament welcoming the re-dedication ceremony.
Ms Don said: “I would like to congratulate Renfrew Community Council for all the hard work they’ve put into organising this event.
“This was a very important event for the town and one that respects those who died in times of conflict.
“Renfrew is a close-knit town and those on the memorial’s roll of honour would have been well known in their local communities.”
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