Clydebank stands still for Blitz dead

Julie Gilbert and Jamie Borthwick • Published 17 Mar 2010 13:00

THE proud Provost hailed a "significant" memorial as Clydebank gathered to remember its Blitz dead.

Two ceremonies - at Dalnottar Cemetery and Solidarity Plaza - were held to mark the 69th anniversary of the devastating bombing of the town by German aircraft on the nights of March 13 and 14, 1941.

Provost Denis Agnew was joined by Bankies, fellow councillors and Poland's consul general to pay his respects to the 528 people who died.

The Provost told the Post: "It was a tremendously significant day and we got a good turnout too.

"It was a pleasure to welcome the consul general of Poland, Dr Tomasz Trafas, and we received a great Polish representation.

"Also there were councillors Marie McNair, William Hendrie, Jim McElhill, Jim Brown and Jim Finn, and Gil Paterson MSP.

"It was good weather and the service was great at the cemetery, then down to Solidarity Plaza where a piper played a lament.

"It was very poignant, very significant for our town.

"The numbers have built up at these ceremonies and that is very encouraging to see."

A service was also held at Kilbowie St Andrew's Church, Drumry, which was attended by Clydebank MSP Des McNulty.

Also in attendance at Saturday's Blitz memorials was John McLeod, who is working on a book called River Of Fire: The Clydebank Blitz.

John was carrying out research for his novel, which aims to redress the lack of knowledge outside the town about the disaster.

He spoke to Blitz survivors about their memories of the two dark nights.

He told the Post: "One thing that was very apparent from people's memories was the way in which the built environment was destroyed.

"I also spoke to one man who had lost twelve of his family of fifteen that night.

"They were in a tenement in Kilbowie Road and he was out on ARP duty.

"Another woman was just a little girl at the time and she remembers how unnaturally bright it was."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 17 Mar 10

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