Legion branch praised for holding annual Anzac Day commemoration in Wick

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Organisers of Wick’s annual Anzac Day ceremony have been praised for ensuring Australian and New Zealand service personnel are “commemorated in a proper fashion”.

Anzac Day is held on April 25 each year, having begun as a way of paying tribute to members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) who served at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I.

A short service was held at the war graves in Wick cemetery, organised as always by the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.

Branch chairman Alex Paterson said later: “We come here every year and it’s only right that we do, because the British Army worked with the Australian army and the New Zealand army and it’s all part of the Commonwealth. We have to remember these things.”

Willie Watt, Vice-Lieutenant of Caithness, laid a poppy wreath and a two-minute silence was observed.

“If it had been our sons that were going to New Zealand or Australia to fight and never came home, it would be nice to think that someone there would remember them,” Mr Watt said afterwards.

Thursday’s ceremony took place five days after the official launch of the Caithness At War heritage trail at Wick John O’Groats Airport, raising awareness of the county’s vital role during World War II.

Mr Watt pointed out: “I think it’s so important, given the event that we had on Saturday, Caithness At War, how much they truly gave to protect our future.

“I also think it’s important to recognise the work done by Alex and the Legion branch. If it wasn’t for like-minded people, this kind of event would peter out and it would be forgotten.

“That would be a massive loss for everybody – for visiting Australians and New Zealanders, to see that they are commemorated in such a proper fashion.”

A short service also took place at the grave of General Sir Henry Horne of Stirkoke in another part of the cemetery. Mr Watt laid another wreath there, just as the late-morning sunshine gave way to a brief burst of hailstones.

General Lord Horne is remembered for helping to save many thousands of lives by organising the evacuation of troops from the Gallipoli peninsula in November 1915,

Pipe Corporal Gordon Tait, of Wick RBLS Pipe Band, played The Battle’s O’er and Green Hills of Tyrol during each part of the commemoration.

Legion members taking part in the ceremony included standard-bearers Angus Mackay and Kev Stewart.

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