ONE hundred years ago, men serving with the Highland Light Infantry were watched by crowds of well-wishers as they marched through Glasgow ahead of their journey to the battlefields of the First World War.
Yesterday, veterans of the regiment retraced their steps in a poignant tribute to the detachment of 333 soldiers from the Glasgow Highlanders, 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, who left the city in 1914. A total of 58 never returned, with many of them killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
The veterans taking part in yesterday's re-enactment marched from Lynedoch Street to St Columba's Church where a service was held to commemorate the fallen, as well as those who did return home.
Parade organiser and session clerk at the church, Duncan Mitchell, said the turnout for the event was slightly hampered by the Great Scottish Run, which also took place in the city yesterday, but added that he felt emotional watching the veterans march.
"It was quite a moving sight to see all these old soldiers walking through the city", he said. "The service was also quite emotional as we remembered both those who gave their lives and those who returned home, some of them injured.
"The veterans were also invited to Walcheren Barracks in Maryhill where they were treated to a lunch reception."
Mr Mitchell added that 130 people took part in the re-enactment. More were expected to attend but had become caught in traffic due to a street race.
During the church service, which was conducted by Graham Morrison, Honorary Chaplain of the Glasgow Highlanders, and locum minister at the Church, parishioner Mary McPhee, 85, laid a wreath to honour the soldiers.
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