A POIGNANT celebration of one of Clydebank’s fallen sons took place at the weekend with dozens of family, friends and veterans.

Private James Hesketh was killed while on foot patrol in Lower Falls, Belfast, on December 10, 1973 and many of his fellow Queen’s Own Highlanders never got the chance to say goodbye properly.

On Saturday, they organised a service at Old Dalnottar Cemetery at the grave of Pte Hesketh - known as Jimmy or “Heskie” - who died when he was just 21.

Sisters Susan and Karen lay wreaths as the rest of the family and a crowd of at least 60 people looked on.

Former members of the regiment travelled from as far as the Highlands and Liverpool to attend the service, including one who had held Pte Hesketh as he lay dying.

In a statement, Pte Hesketh’s family said: “We were overwhelmed - we couldn’t get over the turnout. We want to thank George, Eddie and Donnie for organising everything. And thank you to everyone for travelling from afar.”

George Givens, from the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association, told the Post: “All I can say is that it went exceedingly well.

“I didn’t count how many former Queen’s Own Highlanders were there, but have estimated it at about 40 - some of them coming from afar afield as Elgin in the north and Liverpool and Cumbria in the south, as well as those of course from Clydebank, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“Many of them had served with Heskie and one in particular had cradled him in his arms as Heskie lay dying.

“The service was always meant to be a celebration of Jimmy’s short life and a few funny tales were told about him at the service and afterwards at the golf club.

“I hope his family were happy that he was remembered so fondly by so many and I am sure it was a form of closure for all those members of his team that couldn’t make it to his funeral all those years ago because of the pressure of having to maintain a constant presence on the streets of West Belfast at that particular time.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill also lay a wreath on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council at the invitation of the family.

He told the Post: “This was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. He was known to many folk and people have not forgotten him.

“I was honoured that the family contacted me to do this and recognise the ultimate sacrifice. It was a lovely event.”

Pte Hesketh’s death was one of just 14 from when the regiment was formed in 1961 to the 1990s, making each name remembered particularly strongly.

Eddie Maley, who had not been able to say goodbye in 1973 and had never visited Pte Hesketh’s grave, went up early on Saturday before the service.

He told the Post: “I was talking to the headstone and saying it was long overdue. There was a sense of satisfaction, that I was able to pay my respects and reflect.

“The closure was complete for me.

“I have not stopped talking about it. I was obviously gobsmacked - there was a big lump in my throat.

“I was delighted for the family. This was long overdue but well worth the wait.

“The journey is complete - I got to say goodbye to Jimmy. Saturday was a good day.”