The help of Courier readers is being sought to commemorate the millions who died during the First World War.
Captain Joe Preece of C (FFY/SH) Sqn, Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, is organising a commemoration service at Cupar Old Parish Church on the evening of Saturday November 10 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of hostilities.
While all victims of the conflict will be commemorated, he is specifically looking for photographs of every one of the 190 men and women from the Cupar area who fell – and he is hoping that families of the deceased might be able to help.
He told The Courier: “The programme is still in draft, as I need to confirm a couple of details but the idea is that at the point in the programme “The Fallen” it is proposed to project either the names or the faces of the individuals onto the church screen.
“At the same time a candle will be extinguished to signify the end of life. At the very least we will display every name, but I would very much like to include a photograph of every soldier if possible. I already have some but would like to get them all and would like people to get in touch if they think they can help.”
Captain Preece said he hoped the event would include the participation of the Buckhaven and Methil Miners Band; pipers from the Leuchars-based Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; members of C (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse) Squadron; the Royal British Legion Scotland Cupar branch and members of Cupar Pipe Band.
Captain Preece added: “This commemoration is dedicated to the millions of victims of WW1. We should always remember the immense grief and loss the war brought to the world.”
Estimates of First World War casualty rates varied but it’s generally agreed that the total number of military and civilian casualties between 1914 and 1918 was around 40 million. There were 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded.
The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians.
The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.
The Armistice of November 11 1918 was the armistice that ended fighting on land, sea and air between the Allies and their opponent, Germany.
Captain Preece can be contacted by email Joe.Preece340@mod.gov.uk or by phoning 01334 656155.
