DUMBARTON and the Vale fell silent on Sunday to remember those who gave their lives in the service of their country – 100 years to the day since the end of the First World War.

Acts of remembrance were held at the war memorials in Milton, Renton, Levengrove Park in Dumbarton and Christie Park in Alexandria, with two minutes’ silence at each service followed by the laying of wreaths by politicians, community groups and uniformed youth organisations.

The Levengrove Park commemoration, led by the Reverend Malcolm Wright, also included a poem, ‘The Volunteer’ written by John Bailey, a former regular and now Territorial Army soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2008.

In Alexandria, pupils from the Vale of Leven Academy played ‘Abide With Me’ and the national anthem.

And a small congregation gathered in Balloch at 6am on Sunday to listen to piper Brian Warren play a lament as part of the nationwide ‘Battle’s Over’ commemoration – one of 2,000 pipers playing 100 years to the very minute since the Armistice was signed.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, who attended the services in Dumbarton and Alexandria, said: “I am grateful to have the opportunity to attend Armistice Day services across West Dunbartonshire.

“The services are always very well attended by our local community and are a real tribute to the service men and women who risk their lives for our liberty.

“This year’s services were particularly poignant as it is the centenary of the end of WW1.

“I want to thank West Dunbartonshire Council and the local armed forces for organising these events once again this year and pay tribute to the wonderful service personnel past and present who do so much to protect us.”

Councillor Martin Rooney added: “More than one million British military personnel died during the First and Second World Wars, with the First World War alone accounting for 886,000 fatalities.

“This year our Service of Remembrance is of greater significance as it marks the centenary of the signing of the Armistice, silencing the guns of the western front which put an end to four years of bloodshed.

“The First World War affected every family and that’s why at this time of year, its important for us all to reflect on our lost generation, which gave their young lives for all our freedoms.

“They are no longer with us; but their incredible story of heroism, sacrifice and their sense of duty to each other and to their their country is an example to us all and must never be forgotten.”

Community Party councillor Jim Bollan, who wore a white poppy, said: “Remembrance day for me on Sunday was not just about paying my respects, but about demonstrating the futility of all wars and the needless millions of deaths that follow.

“I choose to wear a white peace poppy to promote a different way to end conflicts, other than war and death. The most important single thing we can all do to remember the millions who died in all hellish wars is to promote and campaign for peace.”

Councillor Sally Page, who was among those listening to Brian Warren’s lament in Balloch at 6am on Sunday, said: “The tune played was When The Battle’s Over, a Retreat march composed by Pipe Major Robb of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

“School children across West Dunbartonshire have very much played their part; the Vale of Leven Brass Ensemble accompanied the singing of ‘Abide with me’ and God save the Queen at the service in Christie Park. The Christie Park PS sang beautifully and read out the names of the fallen. The Last Post was played by Lorne Cowieson, music Master at the VoLA.

“The school children of Gartocharn Primary, sang WW1 songs in the Millennium Hall in Gartocharn, a bugler played the Last Post and a beacon was lit on the Dumpling. The primary school had prepared boards displaying memories of soldiers of the First War, some with family and village connections.

“We have a responsibility to honour those who died, to work for peace, with a commitment to say ‘never again’. West Dunbartonshire has played its part.”