War memorial set to be commissioned

Renfrewshire Council is set to honour service people who have died for their country in wars since 1945 by revealing a memorial stone at council HQ in Paisley.

The monument will commemorate the 22 armed conflicts which the UK has been involved in since the end of the Second World War.

The plans came about after the council was approached by the Royal British Legion, which is donating the stone in conjunction with Co-operative Funeralcare.

Although there are various existing war memorials throughout Renfrewshire, these are designed to remember the First and Second World Wars only.

The new stone will sit within the existing memorial garden at Renfrewshire House in Cotton Street, will be almost one metre wide, and will have rose bushes planted on either side. It is expected the stone will be formally unveiled in September.

The other groups who have contributed to the purchase of the stone are the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Royal Engineer Association Paisley Branch, McLaughlan Glaziers and Barclays Bank

Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall said: “The wars in which people have ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country should never be forgotten.

“While those who fell in the two world wars are commemorated elsewhere, this monument will ensure the conflicts which have taken place since then will also be remembered.

“We are grateful to the Royal British Legion, Co-operative Funeralcare and all the others who have contributed to this project, for everything they have done to make this possible.”

“Renfrewshire has a proud military tradition, and the council, the armed forces and the community have strengthened that link in recent years.

“We’ve seen Renfrewshire’s participation in Armed Forces Day, the granting of the Freedom of Renfrewshire to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the introduction of a children’s remembrance service, and the signing of a community covenant which provides mutual support between the civilian and armed forces communities.

“This new venture is a continuation of that connection, and is further evidence of its strength.”

www.renfrewshirecouncil.gov.uk