The Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery, the Rev. F. Derek Gunn, assisted by Msgr. Thomas Millar, Vicar General of the RC Diocese of Motherwell, led a Service of Remembrance for Far East Prisoners of War on Monday 15th August (the Anniversary of VJ Day) at 11am, at the War Memorial situated outside the Civic Centre in Windmillhill Street, Motherwell.

Wreaths in tribute were laid by Terry Currie, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Provost of South Lanarkshire Council, Cllr. Eileen Logan, and the Depute Provost of North Lanarkshire Council, Cllr. Jean Jones, as well as other representatives of civic Scotland, and the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, the Cameronian Scottish Rifles, and the Far East Prisoners of War Family Group, representing those who served, and those who made the supreme sacrifice.

Msgr. Millar read from the Prophet Micah, ch. 4 vs. 1-5, and the Moderator, in addressing the assembly, picking up on Micah’s vision of “beating swords in ploughshares,” referred to some family connections with the war in the far east, remarking on how a fighting aircraft was converted into a transport plane to bring home some of the Prisoners of War. He gave thanks for the coming of peace, and for its continuance. Prayers were also led for those who carry the scars with them still.

FEPOW DAY - August 15th

“A day to remember the tens of thousands of allied prisoners of war and civilian internees who were captured by the Japanese in Word War II. They suffered from hunger, disease, torture and despair - and many thousands died - for the freedom that we enjoy today.

FEPOW Day is a worldwide day of remembrance for the Far East POW’s. Please remember the price they paid.”

www.fepow-day.org

The Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery, the Rev. F. Derek Gunn, will lead a Service of Remembrance for Far East Prisoners of War on Monday 15th August (the Anniversary of VJ Day) at 11am, at the War Memorial situated outside the Civic Centre in Windmillhill Street, Motherwell. A representative of the Diocese of Motherwell will assist. Councillors and officials of North Lanarkshire Council, as well as representatives of the military who served in the Far East during the Second World War will attend this civic service.