Members of Scottish champion Co-operative Funeralcare Band recently took part in a First World War commemoration day organised by Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.

Support

Held at their East End Park stadium, the event was supported by the Co-operative Funeralcare company, and throughout the day the players presented a short programme of music suitable for the occasion.

Victoria Cross

The opening address, which commemorated the sacrifice of so many service personnel in the conflict, was given by Fraser Bedwell and Christine Evans of Poppy Scotland, with other notable contributions from Ian Hunter and Colonel Helen Homewood, grandson and niece respectively of David Hunter and John Erskine, Dunfermline’s two First World War Victoria Cross holders.

Gordon Baird gave a talk on Dunfermline Athletic Football Club and its connection to the War through its players and personnel who went off to fight, whilst a panel of experts led by Dr. Jen Novotny and Dr. Natasha Fergusson, discussed memorabilia and artifacts brought in by members of the public.

other notable contributions came from Ian Hunter and Colonel Helen Homewood, grandson and niece respectively of David Hunter and John Erskine, Dunfermline’s two First World War Victoria Cross holders4BR

Celebratory note

During the service, the band ensemble accompanied Heather Henderson of the Kelty Musical Association as she sang the hymn ‘Abide With Me’, with the day ending on a celebratory note with a medley of First World War songs sung by Heather Henderson and bagpipe music.