Tributes were paid to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, during one of the largest Remembrance Day parades Alloa has ever seen.

A service was held on Sunday, November 10 ahead of the national commemoration on November 11.

Organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland Clackmannanshire and District branch, the day attracted a huge crowd and marked a poignant tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

John Barrett, branch chairman, spoke to the Advertiser to discuss marking the occasion, which also coincided with 100 years since Alloa’s War Memorial was unveiled.

“It was an excellent day,” John said. “It was a great turnout and it was one of the best turnouts we’ve had from the public.

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“We had a slight drizzle but it didn’t come to anything, so we had a perfect day and it wasn’t too cold.

“People gave their lives for us to live today, some families from Alloa – their sons went to war and never came home.

“Some families were wiped out and these kind of things can’t be lost.”

The event was well attended by figures across the Wee County, including Alloa Labour MP Brian Leishman.

Mr Leishman joined council officials such as leader Ellen Forson and provost Donald Balsillie in laying wreathes alongside the monument.

He commented: “I was honoured to take part in Remembrance Sunday commemorations in Alloa and Sauchie today, laying wreaths to mark the service and sacrifice of those who have and continue to protect our freedom.”

The Sunday parade also marked 100 years since the Alloa War Memorial was officially unveiled.

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Field Marshal Earl Haig opened the War Memorial on September 28, 1924 to remember those who had lost their lives in the First World War.

Donald gave a speech marking this moment as he also laid a wreath for Remembrance Sunday.

He added: “I was pleased to represent Clackmannanshire Council on Remembrance Day and thanked Legion Scotland for organising it and those attending.

“Over 5000 people attended the unveiling ceremony on that day [in 1924] with a large number of wreaths and floral tribute being laid by local organisations and over 200 relatives.

“The most poignant moment in that ceremony was probably when David Buchan and James Maitland laid the Alloa Town wreath.

“Both were fathers who had each lost three sons in the war. Let us remember them.”