For many of our veterans, taking part in the Cenotaph Parade in London is one of the proudest days of their lives. It is something that would not be possible for most of them without the help and support of Sight Scotland Veterans.
John Reilly, Senior Centre Officer at the Hawkhead Centre, and a veteran himself, explains: “It is one of the proudest moments of their lives, many of these veterans wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to march in the Cenotaph Parade if it wasn’t for Sight Scotland Veterans, it is a very special thing the charity offers them.
“Being a veteran myself I know when I march, I feel a range of emotions, but most of all I just feel so so proud. I am proud to be marching with my comrades to pay my respects to the fallen, but also so honoured and proud to march alongside our veterans who are a true inspiration. I may be just 5’9” but in the Cenotaph I feel 6’6”, it is an amazing experience.”
I am proud to be marching with my comrades to pay my respects to the fallen, but also so honoured and proud to march alongside our veterans who are a true inspiration. I may be just 5’9” but in the Cenotaph I feel 6’6”, it is an amazing experience.
Day 1 – the long trip south
Remembrance weekend started for our veterans on the Friday with a long coach trip south to London, which took over 10 hours. It was a lengthy journey but one that was full of stories, laughter, and anticipation of what was to come. On arrival at their hotel in London the weary veterans assembled in the bar, for some food and refreshments. Some of our veterans knew each other before, some had just met for the first time that day, but they all gathered like old friends sharing tales of their time in the service.
Day 2 – RAF Hendon Museum
The first full day in London was designed to be quite chilled and relaxing, knowing what was coming the following day. The Sight Scotland Veterans’ staff had arranged a visit to the RAF Hendon Museum, keeping everyone out the way of the pro-Palestinian marches taking place in central London that day. This was the perfect prelude to what was to come, and all veterans seemed to love it, with many of them belying their age to scramble through small gaps to enter all the planes and helicopters on show.
Day 3 – Cenotaph Parade
Our veterans gathered early on Remembrance Sunday, all dressed immaculately in their uniforms, proudly displaying their medals. It was a short trip on the bus to Horse Guards Parade from the hotel, where they stood tall with thousands of their comrades ready to be led on to Whitehall for the march.
It was on Horse Guards Parade where many of the veterans talked about how taking part in the parade was a lifechanging experience for them, and one of the proudest days of their lives. Each one of them so thankful to Sight Scotland Veterans for giving them this opportunity to come to London and pay their respects to the fallen.
When in place at Whitehall for the start of the march, the wait was quite long but none of our elderly veterans complained as they stood there soaking in the atmosphere and interacting with crowd. As Big Ben struck 11a.m., a single shot salute signalled the start of the two-minute silence. The silence represents the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, when the guns of Europe fell silent.
When the march began the emotion and honour was on show with every step. As our veterans marched past the Cenotaph, it was eyes left as they all saluted the Cenotaph, paying tribute to all those it represents and to all those who died and lie buried elsewhere. Two of our veterans, Billy, and Willie, then passed on Sight Scotland Veterans’ wreaths which were laid at the base of the Cenotaph. As our veterans marched back to Horse Guards Parade, Princess Anne was in front of the Guards Memorial taking their salute.
Army veteran, Willie McKinlay, who passed on a wreath to be laid at the Cenotaph, commented: “It was a very proud and emotional day; we need to get the message across to the youngsters, we need to get them to remember what has happened in the past, what people had to give up, so they don’t repeat our mistakes.”
An inspiring and emotional day was finished with raising a glass to those who we have lost.
Jason Duncan, Veterans Community Lead, who was responsible for organising the Cenotaph trip for Sight Scotland Veterans adds: "I would like to thank all our veterans, and staff, who came to London, who all contributed to it being such a proud and memorable weekend."
Inspiring and Emotional - A Weekend I Will Never Forget
Sight Scotland Veterans Press Officer shares his experience of the Cenotaph Parade.
Why is Remembrance Day so important to our veterans?
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