Fife’s Great War heroes were remembered at a poignant commemorative exhibition in Ballingry.
The all-day event, at the Benarty Centre, was organised by Cardenden military researcher David Blane on behalf of Benarty Heritage Preservation Group (BHPG).
Crowds flocked to view various items of historic memorabilia on display including a letter from King George V to one local soldier congratulating him for having nine sons and a son-in-law serving in the British Army in 1915.
The letter, sent from Buckingham Palace was addressed to a David Stewart of Rosewell Cottages in Lochore, whose descendants were traced recently following an appeal in The Courier.
Mr Stewart’s grandson William and his great-great grand-daughter Maureen Stewart came forward to express their gratitude to Mr Blane for researching the story and helping them find out more about the story of the royal letter.
The exhibition also attracted the attention of descendants of another Lochore man, William Davidson, whose five brothers served in the Great War.
Mr Davidson’s granddaughter, Margaret Hood, from Glenrothes said: “My grandfather was one of 11 children- nine boys and two girls.
“He could not go to war because he had lost a leg in a pit accident, however he was very proud of his five soldier brothers, especially my great-uncle Birrell, who he kept a framed picture of.
“Birrell had served four years on the frontline with the Black Watch and we had always thought he died during the war.
“However we recently discovered he actually passed away after a fall in 1918 at Glencraig pit.”
Mrs Hood’s granddaughter, Kiera Thane, 9, from Inverness added: “I am very proud of all my great-great-great uncles who served in World War One and have enjoyed seeing their photographs and learning more about them.”
The exhibition was also attended by local school children who sang old war-time favourites.
Head teacher of St Kenneth’s Primary Fraser Gillan said: “This event, commemorating the centenary of the Great War was wonderful to be part of because our school is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year so the children have spent the last few months learning all about life 100 years ago which they have found very interesting.”
Fife provost Jim Leishman said: “Mr Blane and the Benarty Heritage Preservation Group have done a fantastic job collating all the information about all the local soldiers who served in the Great War and the event has generated a lot of interest.
“It was fantastic also to see the local children get involved and learn more about the Great War and the centenary.”
Mr Blane said he was “delighted” with how the exhibition had gone.
“All the hard work that went into organising this has been worth it to see so many people turn up and appreciate the history of the local area and take some time to remember Fife’s Great War heroes in this, the centenary year.”
BHPG chair Tony Zimny added: “All our members feel very proud to be here today for three reasons to mark the centenary of the Great War, to pay tribute to Benarty’s book of fallen soldiers, whose name we hope to get added to a local war memorial in the future, and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St Kenneth’s Primary.”
The Moving Stories Fife’s Great War event, funded by the Heritage Lottery, will also run on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 3.30pm.