Bert’s honours brave soldier at WWI event

Fife Today ^ | 16 August 2014

[ConorMacNessa]

Fife was represented at a special Drumhead Service at Edinburgh Castle on Sunday to commemorate the centenary of World War One.

The multi-faith ceremony on the castle esplanade marked the start of the five-year Scottish Commemorations Programme.

Thousands of veterans, servicemen and women and relatives of heroes of World War One braved torrential rain to pay tribute to those who fought in the conflict.

And among them was Kirkcaldy man Bert Hannah, who has been a driving force to have a local soldier’s bravery recognised 100 years after the battle in which he won a Victoria Cross.

Mr Hannah (68) came across the name of Robert Dunsire, who was born in Buckhaven and lived in Kirkcaldy, by accident and has been researching his story with Methil Heritage Centre in the lead up to the unveiling a special paving stone in his honour next year.

As the Battle of Loos, at which Dunsire won the medal, is one of eight events from the war that will be marked by the commemorations programme and Mr Hannah contacted the organisers to ensure Dunsire was given due prominence.

As a result he was invited to attend Sunday’s event.

“The service was very simple but effective and very moving,” he said.

Even more poignant was seeing more than 1000 wooden headstones erected at Holyrood Park.

“It was grey and raining which seemed fitting for the occasion and very reminiscent of how it was when I visited Robert Dunsire’s war grave near Calais last year,” Mr Hannah said.

The service was accompanied by music from three military bands, two cadet bands, three choirs and around 200 massed pipes and drums.

[ConorMacNessa]

Drumhead Service, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Pipes and Drums of Scotland Ping!

"Scotland The Brave"
Black Watch Pipes And Drums
(Click)



The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch 3rd Battalion
The Royal Regiments of Scotland and The Band of the Scots Guards

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be admitted to
or released from the Pipes and Drums of Scotland Ping List.

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Monkey Face]

Thanks for the ping Conor. That was so moving.

[Bigg Red]

Nice.