Saint Margaret of Scotland was an English princess and a Scottish queen and is referred to in many quarters as “the pearl of Scotland.” She was actually born in Hungary and was a devout and pious Christian given to many good works including funding the pilgrims crossing across the Firth of Forth that is now universally known as Queensferry.
The chapel of St Margaret of Scotland is within the walls of Edinburgh Castle where flowers, in memory of my late Mother – in – Law Margaret Cooper, are sometimes placed. There are many Margaret’s in my wife’s side of the family – it was in fact touch and go and required considerable resolve on my part to prevent both Harry and Freddie having Margaret as one of their Christian names!!
We remember the saints of the Church throughout the year. We remember the Fallen of two world wars and other conflicts every Remembrancetide and this year is no exception.
On this 100th anniversary year special arrangements are being made at the evening service that includes the original Ex-Servicemen’s Standard that was carried by our First World War Veterans being laid on the altar with our Book of War Dead, a piece of poetry being read, the names of the Fallen read by four parishioners from upstairs, a solo being played on the flute and much else besides.
We will remember them.
In addition we have recently discovered another name missing from the Roll Call and for the first time Bartholomew Lucas will be remembered. One of his relatives Colonel George Meleleu of the US Army will also be with us on Remembrance Sunday and we offer him a very warm welcome.
I firmly believe that The Act of Remembrance is not the opportunity for promoting the merits of social cohesion; we simply remember our war dead whether by name or in our actual memory. On the 101st anniversary of the cessation of hostilities we will remember them and we must continue to remember them, these pearls of our national consciousness, year on year, grateful and thankful for the sacrifices that they made.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!