Latest news with #SusanHaughey
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Special service at Motherwell Civic Centre marks 80 years since end of the Far East campaign in WWII
Among those attending was the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey, who laid the first wreath at the war memorial. A special service at the Civic Centre in Motherwell marked 80 years since the end of the Far East campaign in WWII, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and suffered so far from home. The event, held on August 15, the date Japanese forces surrendered in 1945, brought together war veterans, local politicians and clergy, and members of the public. Among those attending was the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey, who laid the first wreath at the war memorial. The Far East campaign, often called the Forgotten War, lasted from December 1941 to August 1945 and saw British, Allied, and Commonwealth forces face brutal conditions, both on the battlefield and as prisoners of war. Many thousands never returned home. The Remembrance Service was led by North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy and South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, with readings, music, and a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a minute's silence. Speaking at the service, Provost Duffy said: 'Eighty years on, we stand here not just to remember history, but to honour real people, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends who endured horrors we can scarcely imagine. 'Their courage and sacrifice happened on the other side of the world, but the impact was felt in every town, village, and street here at home. 'Today is about gratitude. It's about saying, in the clearest way we can, 'we haven't forgotten you.' And as long as we keep coming together like this, we never will.' The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Provost Cooper and a benediction, leaving those present to reflect on the sacrifices made eight decades ago in one of the most gruelling chapters of the Second World War. The commemoration also recognised the significant role of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, whose soldiers fought in the Far East theatre of war. Many members of the regiment were captured during the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and spent the remainder of the conflict as prisoners of war, enduring the harsh realities of prison camps and forced labour on the notorious Burma–Thailand Railway. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: 'It was a privilege to join the community in paying tribute to those who served in the Far East during the Second World War, and especially to remember the courage and resilience of the Far East Prisoners of War. 'The stories of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry are a poignant reminder of the local connections to this history — and of the extraordinary endurance shown in the face of unimaginable adversity. 'We owe them not only our gratitude but our commitment to keep their memory alive.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Service in Motherwell honours Far East campaign heroes
The event took place at the Civic Centre in Motherwell on Friday, August 15, the anniversary of Japan's surrender in 1945. It honoured the courage and sacrifice of those who served in what is often called the Forgotten War. (Image: Supplied) Among those in attendance were veterans, members of the public, and dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey, who laid the first wreath at the war memorial. The Far East campaign ran from December 1941 to August 1945 and involved British, Allied, and Commonwealth forces fighting in brutal conditions. Read more: 'Avoid the area' warning issued as Glasgow street closed amid ongoing incident Thousands never returned home. The remembrance service was led by North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy and South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, and included readings, music, and a minute's silence. Provost Duffy said: "Eighty years on, we stand here not just to remember history, but to honour real people, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends who endured horrors we can scarcely imagine. (Image: Supplied) "Their courage and sacrifice happened on the other side of the world, but the impact was felt in every town, village, and street here at home. "Today is about gratitude. It's about saying, in the clearest way we can, 'we haven't forgotten you.' "And as long as we keep coming together like this, we never will."
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
VE Day's 80th anniversary marked at South Lanarkshire Council HQ
Provost Margaret Cooper led a short event where a commemorative flag was raised. A commemorative flag was raised at South Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Hamilton yesterday (Thursday) to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Provost Margaret Cooper led a short event for invited guests, who included Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Susan Haughey, local and national politicians, members of the Royal British Legion, local clergy, emergency services personnel and senior council officers. Also invited were representatives of the Cameronians, Scotland's only rifle regiment of the British Army, disbanded in 1968, and now memorialised in a unique permanent exhibition at Hamilton's Low Parks Museum. Members of the community music group Soundsational, dressed in fashions from the war era, performed 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree' and 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' and the wartime classic, 'We'll Meet Again', as the guests took their places. Rev Ross Blackman, Minister of Hamilton Old Parish Church, then led an opening prayer before Laurence Binyon's famous words, 'They Shall not Grow Old', were read. The 'Last Post' then sounded before a two-minute silence was observed and the anniversary flag raised to mark eight decades since Germany surrendered to allied forces on May 8, 1945. After a final prayer, the ceremony ended with the playing of the national anthem and final sounds from a lone piper. Provost Cooper described VE Day as 'one that must never be forgotten'. She added: 'I have no doubt that Victory in Europe Day is one that those who lived through it would remember for the rest of their lives. It must surely have been a day full of hope and joy, and genuine celebration. 'Yet, there would also have been sadness for so many as they remembered loved ones who gave their lives on a foreign battlefield to make sure that this day of victory would come. 'And that is why we are here. It is why, not just on this 80th anniversary, but every year, we honour the sacrifices they made. 'Eighty years on from the end of WW2, there are very few of our 'greatest generation' still with us, which makes it even more important we, who enjoy the freedoms they fought for, ensure that their voices will live on. 'Coming together today in remembrance, and to raise this special flag is the very least that we can give them, and we do so with pride.'
