By Debbie Kerr

PRINCE CHARLES joined veterans, city dignitaries and serving personnel yesterday in a poignant rededication service for The Black Watch memorial in Dundee.

Around 300 people attended the ceremony at Powrie Brae to mark the restoration of the memorial—exactly 50 years after his grandmother the Queen Mother unveiled the statue on the northern outskirts of the city.

The prince joined in the full rededication service and then spoke to members of The Black Watch, before going on to the city chambers for a civic reception hosted by Lord Provost John Letford.

Black Watch Association secretary Major Ronnie Proctor said, “We are really grateful that His Royal Highness Prince Charles was able to come to the service as the royal patron of the Black Watch Association to rededicate the memorial.

“The prince has continued the great love shown for The Black Watch by the late Queen Mother and he is very much a part of the regimental family.”

Major Proctor added, “The memorial is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those serving with The Black Watch during world war two but, after 50 years, the weather had taken its toll on our old soldier and urgent restoration was required to stop it deteriorating beyond repair.

“It’s great to see it finally finished and done back up to such a great standard. It is important to preserve the statue as a reminder of the past and a lot of work has gone into restoring it.”

The bronze statue commemorates the sacrifice of more than 440 members of the 4th and 5th Battalion The Black Watch who died in the second world war.

The sculpture, which sits on the outskirts of Dundee, has served as a place of pilgrimage, remembrance and reflection for those associated with the wartime Dundee City and County of Angus battalions.

It was initially erected at a site half a mile away on Powrie Farm but was relocated to its present site after the dualling of the A90 Dundee to Forfar road during the 1980s.

Around £12,000 was raised by the Black Watch Association and grant aid was received to restore the statue to its former glory.

The service was conducted jointly by the Right Rev Vincent Logan, Bishop of Dunkeld, former Black Watch national serviceman the Rev Canon Peter Allen and the Rev Bob Wightman, the Dundee Combined Forces Association chaplain.

Brigadier Edward de Broe-Ferguson, the Black Watch Association chairman, began the service with an official welcome, where he referred to the original ceremony 50 years ago and to the history of The Black Watch.

Some of the second world war veterans attending the service, wearing their distinctive red hackles, were also present at the original unveiling in October 1959.

John Glen, a corporal with The Black Watch 4th and 5th Battalion, said the weather at yesterday’s service was rather more favourable than it was 50 years ago.

“It was raining 50 years ago so the weather is a bit better,” he said.

“There is a great feeling of nostalgia amongst those who are here. This is the first time I have seen some of the lads since the first service 50 years ago.”

He added, “It is great to see the statue restored and it is lovely to see Prince Charles keeping up the traditions of the Queen Mother.”

John Nicoll, who served with the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, said, “It is an important day and it is good to see the statue looking so well. It is used to remember the ways of the past and it is very important to remember the past to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.”

The Earl of Airlie, David Ogilvy, also attended the service, as well as Lord Provost Letford and Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville.

Mr Letford said, “It was a very moving occasion. Everybody was thinking about The Black Watch, not just about the 4th and 5th Battalion but also of those who are in present conflicts.”

Ms Melville described the turnout as, “a very fitting tribute to all those who have gone before and gave their lives and to all those who are still serving.”

Also present were Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, of The Black Watch, and Dundee MPs Jim McGovern and Stewart Hosie.

Mr Hosie said the rededication service was particularly “poignant” after recent events.

“It also gives us time to think of those still serving and an event like this does bring that fact home.”

Mr McGovern said he had strong family connections to the memorial, saying, “My grandmother was here for the original unveiling as my grandfather was in The Black Watch.”

He added, “I am obviously here as a representative of the city but also to represent my grandparents.”

After a short address to officially rededicate the memorial, a bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille before the crowd observed a minute’s silence.