Dumfries and Galloway Commemorates the Start of World War 1
Communities across Dumfries and Galloway will be commemorating the start of World War 1 on Monday 4 August by holding candlit vigils at their local war memorials or services. World War 1 was declared on 4 August 1914 and many women and men from this region were involved in the fighting or work to support the war.
The following communities are involved and details are on the Council website:
Location/Event/Time
Amisfield
Village Hall / War Memorial Torch and lantern procession from the village hall to the war memorial 9.30 – 11.00pm
Carsphairn
Kirkyard / War Memorial Candlelit walk from Kirkyard to the War Memorial 10.45pm
Castle Douglas
Pedestrian entrance to Tesco car park,
opposite Castle Douglas War Memorial Candlelit vigil and memorial service 10.45pm
Dumfries
St Michaels’ Church Royal British Legion
Declaration of WW1 memorial service 7.30pm
Dunscore
War Memorial Candlelit vigil 11.00pm
Eastriggs
Eastriggs War Memorial Remembrance vigil – Prayer/poem followed by switching off lights 10.45pm
Eastriggs
Devil’s Porridge museum Open evening with a Book of Remembrance available to sign. 6.00 – 9.00pm
Gretna Green / Springfield
Gretna War Memorial Springfield and Gretna Green Community Council
Memorial service 10.00 – 11.00pm
Gretna Green / Springfield
St Andrew’s Church, Central Avenue Springfield and Gretna Green Community Council
Candlelit vigil 11.00pm
Johnstonebridge
Johnstonebridge War Memorial / Cemetery Johnstonebridge Community Council
Vigil memorial service 11.00pm
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright War Memorial Candlelit vigil at the war memorial – bring a lantern, torch or candle 10.50pm
Kirkpatrick Fleming
Kirkpatrick Fleming War Memorial Vigil at the War Memorial with torches/electric candles switched off at 11.00 pm to mark “lights out” 10.45pm
Langholm
Langholm Parish Church Candlelit vigil memorial service 10.00 – 11.00pm
Lockerbie
Lockerbie War Memorial Lockerbie Community Council
Vigil memorial service 10.45pm
Moffat
St Andrew’s Church/
Moffat War Memorial Royal British Legion
Candlelit vigil 10.45 – 11.15pm
Ringford
Ringford War Memorial Tongland and Ringford Community Council
Community gathering 10.45pm
Sanquhar
Sanquhar War Memorial Vigil at the war memorial 11.00pm
Stranraer
Trinity Church Vigil – Declaration of the Great War 10.45pm
Whithorn
Whithorn War Memorial Vigil with poems and a piper. Tea lights will be provided. 10.45pm
Wigtown
Wigtown War Memorial Vigil
The Council’s Museum Service will be commemorating the centenary of World War 1 with a series of activities and exhibitions in museums across the region. These exhibits will highlight the many memories and amazing stories of bravery of men and women from our area who fought in the Great War and supported the war effort.
Commemorating World War One
Sanquhar Museum, Tuesday 1st April – Tuesday 30th September
Sanquhar Museum’s collection of World War One memorabilia will be redisplayed for seasonal this year. Work is also being done to conserve The Brave Men of Mennock, a memorial displaying images of the 43 men from Mennock and the surrounding area who signed up to fight during WW1.
Your Country Needs You!
The Stewartry Museum, Saturday 26th July – Saturday 15th November
We know now of the horrors, mistakes and misjudgements of World War 1, but in 1914 many Britons at home considered going to war as an expression of the power and pride of the British Empire. Young men, and boys, viewed the war as a chance to travel and experience true adventure. Propaganda, in the form of posters and magazine articles, played a huge role in fuelling this excitement. The Stewartry Museum’s collection of World War 1 posters, with their powerful imagery and pointed demands, offers us a glimpse into the mood of society at the time.
Living History Day
The Stewartry Museum, Monday 28th July
A WW1 Recruiting Officer will put visitors through their paces between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
Tommy’s Lot – find out what life was like for a new recruit in 1914 with a public talk at 2.30pm.
Home by Christmas
Annan Museum, Saturday 23rd August – Friday 31st October
An exhibition of local stories, recruitment posters and memorabilia commemorating a past generation caught up in The Great War. Local people are invited to visit the exhibition and share their family accounts of parents, grandparents or great grandparents who experienced World War 1 either at the battle field or the home front
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion said:
‘I am delighted that the people of Dumfries and Galloway are taking time to mark the centenary of the start of World War 1. Further events will take place over the next four years to commemorate particular battles and campaigns that people in Scotland were involved in. Many brave people gave up their lives or were badly injured in the First World War and they should never be forgotten.’
Please see webpages for further information: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=13633
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