Moray Council’s convener has issued a call to anyone in the region who has an affinity or association with the first world war and who may wish to attend a commemoration being held at Edinburgh Castle.
Almost 9000 people will be marking the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 at Edinburgh Castle in August. Among them will be armed forces veterans and descendants of those who served in the conflict.
A total of 94 places at the event has also been allocated to people from Moray. The Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Lt Col Grenville Johnston, and the convener of Moray Council, Councillor Stewart Cree, are seeking applications for these places from people in the region.
People from communities throughout Scotland will be seated together at the event which is organised by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and marks the beginning of the official programme in Scotland commemorating the anniversary.
Col Johnston said the service would set an appropriate tone for the start of the centenary commemoration and he was delighted that Moray would be represented at such an important event.
He added: “World War 1 touched every family in the country in one way or another and many hundreds of men from this area made the ultimate sacrifice and despite the fact that 100 years have passed, that sacrifice is not forgotten nor will it be.
“Those who served their country came from all walks of life and we would like those people from Moray attending the drumhead service to be equally representative of the local community.
“There will be many people who have as association with World War 1, perhaps as descendants of servicemen or who have some other connection, and we would like to hear from them.”
It is expected that the Moray representatives at the event will strike a balance in terms of age, gender and occupation, reflecting the contribution made by communities during the 1914-1918 conflict.
Councillor Cree said: “No doubt many people will think that, after 100 years, any link that they might have to the Great War is fairly tenuous – but I’m sure there are many interesting stories to be told and we would like to hear them.
“Moray has been allocated 94 places, which will be sufficient to allow people to bring along a partner or friend, and we have been asked to ensure that we have a cross-section of the local community to represent Moray at what will be a fitting ceremony to launch Scotland’s programme of commemoration.”
Applications can be made in writing to the convener at Moray Council, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX or by e-mailing convener@moray.gov.uk by June 20.