Battle of the Somme

The original Rolls were compiled fromWar Office lists, from the

CommonwealthWar Graves Commission and from lists supplied from the

Commonwealth countries and elsewhere. Even today names from the FirstWorld

War and other conflicts are still being added.

The Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony took place in glorious sunshine on the 14 July

The King had made it his policy not to open any war Memorials, the ceremony

was performed byThe Prince ofWales andThe King and Queen were the first

visitors.The detailed preparations were masterminded by the Duke of Atholl and

were greatly assisted by General SirWilliam Peyton the General Officer

Commanding (GOC) Scotland who had served with Atholl in Gallipoli.

Veterans and their relatives came from all over Scotland and the Commonwealth.

Many of the veterans were limbless or blind. Crown Square being so small, a vast

crowd assembled on the Esplanade to witness the arrival of the Regimental

Colours and Guidons and the Royal party. By using loud speakers they were all

able to listen to the ceremony and join in the community singing of hymns.The

Guard of Honour was provided byThe Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and

there were detachments from the other services and theWomen’s Services

alongside representatives from the veterans’ organisations, widows, churches,

Parliament, Lord Lieutenants, and the Lyon Court.

After a solemn benediction,The Prince opened the building and, as the pipers

played “The Flowers o’ the Forest”, the small party moved into the shrine where