Scotland's official World War I commemorations announced

First Minister Alex Salmond has announced the key observance dates for Scotland's World War I centenary commemorations. Speaking at the Royal British Legion Scotland annual conference, the First Minister said: 'Next year and throughout the following five years, people in communities across Scotland will gather together and remember the exceptional sacrifice made by their sons during the brutal conflicts of the Great War.

The Great War commemorations are in no sense a celebration of the centenary of this devastating conflict.

'They are a commemoration, which will give the whole of the country the opportunity to reflect on the impact that the First World War had on Scotland during a programme of significant dates I am outlining today.'

The World War I centenary dates

• August 2014 - outbreak of war
• 25 April 2015 - Gallipoli
• 22 May 2015 - Quintinshill train crash
• 25 September 2015 - Battle of Loos
• 31 May 2016 - Battle of Jutland
• 9 April 2017 - Battle of Arras
• 11 November 2018 - Armistice Day
• 1 January 2019 - Loss of HMS Iolaire

Robert Allan, chairman of Royal British Legion Scotland, added: 'Remembrance is at the heart of what we do and we believe it's vital to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

'It's heartening that communities in Scotland will get the opportunity to remember the significant contributions made by our servicemen and women throughout the First World War and beyond with the programme of events announced by the first minister today.

'To commemorate this period in our history RBLS will be launching a special campaign to capture the stories of veterans in Scotland and working closely with schools to help them learn about their local war memorials.'

Read about the role of women in World War I in the July/August issue of History Scotland magazine, available now.

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