By Jenna Cairney and Graham Huband

A WEEK OF remembrance events started this weekend with Lord Provost John Letford embarking on a pilgrimage to Lancashire with the relatives of two teenage Dundee sailors killed during the second world war and buried near Liverpool.

It was the first time the families of the two sailors have been able to visit their grave-sides and pay their respects.

In December 1939 the battleship HMS Barham was torpedoed by a U-boat off Orkney. John Stewart McGuire (18), of Tullideph Place, and James Watt (19), of Kingennie Terrace, died in the attack.

Their bodies were not discovered until the ship arrived at Bootle in Lancashire for repair and re-fitting, and the men were buried in a local cemetery.

The graves have been adopted by the nearby Crosby branch of the Royal Naval Association, which arranged for them to be kept in good condition.

After being contacted earlier this year by local mayor Paul Tweed, Mr Letford traced several of the men’s family members and asked them to accompany him on a pilgrimage to their final resting place.

Victor Herd and Bruce Kelly, respectively president and secretary of the City of Dundee Combined Ex-services Association, also attended.

Wreaths were laid at the graves by the families of the sailors, as well as by Mr Letford on behalf of the city council and Mr Herd and Mr Kelly for the ex-services association. There was a grave-side ceremony and service.

Mr Letford said the trip had been very emotional but worthwhile for the family.

He said, “The whole experience was very moving and I think it was important for the family to visit the graves.”

Kenneth and Ruby Watt, brother and sister-in-law of James Watt, Mrs Tilda White, niece of John McGuire, and her husband John, all expressed thanks to Mr Letford for making it possible to visit the graves.

Mr Watt said they had known where his brother was buried and what had happened to him during the war but they were not aware of the care and attention being given to the graves.

Mr Letford extended his thanks to the locals who helped make the trip possible.

He said, “It really was touching to see that these graves have been well looked-after.”

Following the journey south, Mr Letford had to return to Dundee on Saturday evening to attend the Festival of Remembrance, held in the Caird Hall.

Around 50 armed forces veterans gathered at the City Churches on Saturday morning to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.

The cross-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance was attended by dignitaries including Depute Lord Provost Ian Borthwick, senior politicians and representatives of the region’s emergency services.

The ceremony—featuring a full colour party—was presided over by Reverend Bob Wightman, chaplain to the City of Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association.

The Last Post was sounded by a lone bugler before a two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who had died.

The bugler gave the reveille before the veterans marched back to City Square for a civic reception hosted by the depute lord provost in the city chambers.

Mr Borthwick said he wished to extend the appreciation of the whole city to the veterans who attended the ceremony in tribute to their fallen colleagues.

He said, “It is vitally important that we give due regard to the service given to the country.”

Saturday evening’s festival featured the Central Band of The Royal British Legion Scotland and the award- winning Pipes and Drums of the 6/8th Dundee Company Boys’ Brigade.

Legion area chaplain the Rev David Taylor spoke of courage and loss among the forces.

Bishop Vincent Logan read from the Gospel of St John, and the Very Rev Lindsay McKenna, provost of St Paul’s Cathedral, offered a prayer.

Mr Letford said the performances were a fitting start for the week to follow.

He said, “Tonight is a marvellous occasion and another important opportunity to remember all those who gave their lives and all those who continue to make sacrifices serving their countries.

“It’s a lovely evening and a good way to start all the events we have running in November.”