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‘These memories will never fade’ Tayside veterans mark VE Day

Frank Smith, 79, from Dundee finds support from the Kennedy Cupcakes at Legion Scotland VE Day in Forfar.
Frank Smith, 79, from Dundee finds support from the Kennedy Cupcakes at Legion Scotland VE Day in Forfar.

Second World War veterans from Tayside were guests of honour as the 70th anniversary of victory in Europe was marked with a day of celebration in Forfar on Saturday.

A flypast by a replica Spitfire marked the start of an afternoon of events at the football pitch of Forfar Farmington FC which included performances by pipe bands, dancers and military displays.

A spectacular Beating Retreat ceremony took place on the pitch of neighbouring Forfar Athletic on Saturday evening which included massed pipe bands and the Legion Scotland Riders branch on their motorbikes.

Guests included Veterans Secretary Keith Brown and the salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Angus, Georgiana Osborne.

Among the Second World War veterans was Dundonian Marshall Rogers, 90, who intercepted communications from the Germans to be decoded during the war.

He was serving in Egypt with the Royal Corps Signals Y section when he heard the war was over.

He said: “We were on late duty and it seemed quiet. Then we got the word that it was over through transmissions.

“I remember the next day some drivers and mechanics built a huge bonfire. They were jiving around in the sand.

“It was really exciting and a huge relief though we also had a feeling of, where do we go from here? We wanted to get back to normality.”

Alexander Adam, 91, from Forfar was part of the occupational forces sent into Germany after peace was declared.

He saw the Belsen concentration camp burn, which said gave him mixed feelings.

“It’s hard to describe it was a feeling of relief but also grief at the same time that such a thing could ever have happened,” he said.

“Even though I was a young man these memories will never fade.”

Also attending the event was Sadie Silver, 92, who served in the Land Army.

Mr Brown said the sacrifices made by people during the Second World War would “never be forgotten”.

He said: “It is an honour to be here at this commemorative service of thanksgiving, remembering those who served, lived and died protecting our freedoms and way of life.

“Those from Scotland, the rest of the UK and beyond whose actions helped free the peoples of Europe from brutal oppression in the Second World War will never be forgotten.”