Cathedral service reflects contribution of Commonwealth nations to war effort

Prince Charles was among those at Glasgow Cathedral for the service which featured poems, prayers and readings, reflecting the contribution of those from around the Commonwealth.

Distinguished newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald set the scene to introduce many of the readings, and reminded the congregation that by the end of the war 6,146,000 men from across the British Isles had seen service, with 761,000 killed and 1,600,000 wounded, as well as 206,000 Irishmen of whom 30,000 died.

He also paid tribute to the those from around the Commonwealth who fought in the conflict.

He said: “During the years to come we shall rightly hear more of the courage and suffering of our forces in the conflict, but especially as this city has known the privilege of welcoming our Commonwealth brothers and sisters to the Games just past, it is right to pause now to remember their contribution.”

Veteran BBC broadcaster Kate Adie gave a reading, highlighting the role of women in the conflict. Joanne Thomson, a 2014 graduate of the Royal Conservatoire Scotland, read a passage by the widow of poet Edward Thomas about their last night together before he was killed in the war.