Badenoch and Strathspey communities preparing for Remembrance
This weekend will see communities gathering at their War Memorials to pay their respects to those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom and peace.
Already, a new generation has paid its respects to the heroes of one special group which paid the ultimate price during the second world war: Force K6.
A dedicated youth-led remembrance service was staged at Kingussie Cemetery’s ‘Indian graves’, organised by Colourful Heritage.
The event, in association with Ancre Somme Association Scotland, Boots and Beards, Iqra Learning Centre , Glasgow Gurdwara and the Urban Youth Project delivered a special multi-faith, multi ethnic commemoration of the Indian Regiment soldiers who came to Scotland 80 years ago.
The young people and speakers were piped in to the cemetery to start the service.
Imam Habib Khan and Father Andrew Harden led the service with talks from young people.
Safa Shoket (22) explained “Who were Force K6?” and Yusuf Razzaq (12) detailed the special connection of Force K6 with Scotland, thanking local legionnaire Isobel Harling for her selfless and inspiring care for the soldiers from his ancestral home of Pakistan.
The exhortation was read by Preetika Samra Kaur (18) from Glasgow Gurdwara and Kohima Epitaph by Cameron Davidson (14).
The young stood tall shoulder to shoulder during the two-minute silence before the reveille, after which the poppy wreaths were laid at each of the nine graves by the young people from the Christian, Sikh, Muslim and Hindu faiths before the ceremony was concluded.
The day included talks by people connected with the soldiers, including Colin Hexley whose father was a POW in Germany with 22nd Company and had a great affinity with the Indian troops, and Hamish Johnston whose step grandfather had looked after getting supplies for his men.
They also heard from Kincraig-based author Merryn Glover about her connection with South Asia, particularly about her time in Pakistan and how the story of Force K6 resonated with her now staying in the Highlands.
She also spoke of several local services conducted in previous years.
