Dallachy service honours the memory of Canadian soldiers

A SERVICE has been held at Dallachy Strike Wing Memorial to honour the sacrifice Canadians made in the two world wars.

The service, held on July 1, which is Canada Day, was attended by a number of key local figures – including Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Seymour Monro.

The commemoration went ahead with a smaller scale service than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with a blue sky, light wind and sunny weather it was a well-enjoyed event.

Despite the lower numbers, there were three Canadians in attendance. The Canadian Honorary Consul for Scotland, Mary Duncan, attended, alongside Flt Lt Samantha Cooper from RAF Lossiemouth and a passer-by, who travelled back to Canada the following Tuesday.

WO John Ross organised the event, while Padre Craig Lancaster led the service and The RAF Volunteer Band provided the Bugler, Ewen Stewart, who played The Last Post and The Reveille and Matt King, who played The Lament.

Moray councillor Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative), John Wright of Lennox Community Council (LCC) and Rab Russell from the Royal Air Force Association laid wreaths, along with other members of the LCC and the public in attendance.

Police Scotland looked after the short road closure for the service.

After the service, all retired to Spey Bay Golf club for a socially-distanced biscuit and a chat.

Dallachy's link to Canada is strong, with the Canada Day commemoration an annual event. During World War II, Dallachy was home to an RAF base where many Canadians, along with servicemen from across the Commonwealth, joined men from the UK.

At nearby Bellie Churchyard there is a special area where Commonwealth servicemen killed in action were laid to rest.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.