They came in their numbers to remember the ten young men who died on a Territorial Army exercise 50 years before: from veterans to toddlers, all stood in silent tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk Charles Wallace told those present that the ten young men had left behind an “enduring legacy” which was not to only remember them in grief but to keep them in everyone’s hearts. He said their deaths had shocked their families, comrades and communities to the core.
Provost Robert Bissett said: “The fact that these soldiers died during a training exercise and not on the field of battle makes little difference.”
He then spoke of the impact the tragedy had on the area, saying: “In the days and weeks that followed there was an outpouring of grief and sympathy for these young men and their families, and today we send our deepest condolences to the families who are still with us. What a burden of grief to carry all these years.”
Sunday’s event was organised by the Airborne Engineers Association Scotland branch with chairman Andy Nelson speaking on behalf of the families to thank everyone for attending.
02:35From us, ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to mark the 50th anniversary of a tragedy that has never left the hearts of those who remember.
02:48The Commonwealth War is a disaster on the River Trent, where we lost 10 soldiers of 300 Troop, 131 Independent Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, doing a training exercise.
02:58These were territorial army soldiers, men who gave up their time, their comfort, and ultimately their lives in service to something greater than themselves.
03:11They were not in battle, but were preparing for it, and that makes their loss no less profound.
03:17What happened that night in 1975 was a tragedy of the deepest kind, a moment of darkness that shook their families, comrades, and communities to the core.
03:30And yet, today is not only about sorrow.
03:35While we remember the sadness, and we must, we will also honour the enduring legacy these men have left behind.
03:43Because we know this, they would not want us to stand here with only grief in our hearts.
03:51They would not want us to be paralysed by loss.
03:54They would want us to move forward, and with the same determination, courage, and unity that they live by.
04:02Their memory should not weigh us down, but lift us up.
04:07It should remind us of the value of service, of friendship, and of resilience.
04:14It should strengthen our resolve to face the future with purpose, to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.
04:21We are here today, not just to remember, but to look forward.
04:27We honour them by living, by serving, and by building a future their memory can be proud of.
05:12The main system is quite, it's just beautiful.
05:16And you remember morning to survive on the back of the park,
05:20which has been passed on to the station here.
05:27You don't even shot over the wall of the wall,
05:30you need to see a wall of the wall,
05:33that's the big wall.
05:35The other means a few ways to put them.
05:38The fact that we're going to die in a period of time to walk in a single battle is a little different.
05:46So for example, we're going to set by a pilot who's dying to not be able to do one more thing,
05:53and running a country in a country.
05:56We're also riding a battle in a type of Europe,
05:59and we're going to change ourselves to change the single battle in a service of the law.
06:04As we have heard, the 10-year soldiers of 1820, from 17 to 26,
06:10with part-time members of the 300 crew, 131, and the defendant's barracks of 4th and 4th and 8th.
06:17What a night-time training exercise in the Lovacet North.
06:22The task given there is the navigation of the soldiers for 80 miles.
06:28It's done that we were able to see the weather on the shore of one of the high sides of the Lovacet North.
06:34It's only because we're taking a part of the storm of the war from the Lovacet North.
06:38It's lonely because we're well-made and protected by a whole thing.
06:43But the weather ready to protect the Lovacet North,
06:48and the Lovacet North will be able to ride the shore.
06:53But they're on the shore, and the Lovacet North is taking place.
06:59The best of the feeding of the land of the Lovacet North,
07:02and the two of these soldiers are access to habitat,
07:05and the alarm of the Lovacet North.
07:07The first of the in-and-the-glow is coming from the Lovacet North.
07:08For example, the Lovacet North is a Lower-and-the-Sweat North.
07:11The first of the Lovacet North is a source of resources.
07:14I have a very special memory of one of the schools that we live in the town, he's a friend of mine.
07:21The week before he left on the fence, I talked to him about this culturally adventure.
07:27He's doing something about this town, the city of mine.
07:31The next time I saw him, he told me to talk to him about his culture and his culture.
07:37I have never forgotten him.
07:40The water is on a big part of the city.
07:48He's still here.
07:50We all are talking about this town.
07:52The city of mine is called The Monastery.
07:55My family is not a little, it's a big part of the city.
08:03We are also talking about this town.
08:07This is a special place for a member of the former servicemen to the women,
08:16and the people of the country, and the women of the country,
08:21and the women of the country, and the women of the country.
08:28As we remember this tragedy, as it's perhaps been referred to already,
08:53we shouldn't lose sight of what motivated these men to be in our forces,
08:59and willing to go wherever, to do whatever, to make our lives safer,
09:05and make this world a better place.
09:08As our Padre would expect, and I read the Bible now and again,
09:12and for those of you who knew you would be assured that God honours men and women,
09:17and women, to do whatever.
09:19In fact, Jesus himself said in John chapter 15,
09:24there is no greater love than anyone who is willing to live their lives,
09:31to serve their lives, and even give their lives for the benefit of their fellow man.
09:38And we too, as we've gathered here, not only to remember,
09:41we honour these men in the same way.
09:45We can honour them for their courage, for their discipline,
09:50and their selfless commitment to serve their fellow man,
09:54and make this world a better place.
10:27So, let's go.
10:57I don't know.
11:27The first time we have to go to the next station, we will be able to get the station to the station.
11:34We will be able to get the station to the station.
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