THE men from Wallyford, Smeaton and Deantown (now Whitecraig) who lost their lives in the First World War were remembered at an Armistice Day service at the Crookston war memorial on Monday.

Pipe Major Lee Moore, from Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band, played a musical tribute at the memorial inside the gates of Inveresk cemetery at St Michael’s Parish Church.

The commemoration was attended by East Lothian’s Lord Lieutenant Roderick Urquhart.

Also present was Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

They addressed the 45-strong crowd, highlighting the importance of remembrance.

Wallyford resident Alister Hadden presided over the event, giving an account of the history of the Crookston war memorial.

The 59 names of the soldiers from 1914 to 1919 on the memorial were read out by Mr Hadden and Ivor Highley, from Musselburgh.

Poppy wreaths were laid by Mr Urquhart, Mr Beattie, Musselburgh Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets, Councillors Fiona Dugdale, Lee-Anne Menzies and Cher Cassini, on behalf of Wallyford and Whitecraig Community Councils, Musselburgh Veterans, Wallyford Livingroom Church, and Nancy Savage (née Hadden) on behalf of the Hadden family for their uncle James Hadden, who is named on the memorial.

Royal Navy veteran and Musselburgh resident Karl Cleghorn, who is originally from Wallyford, recited For The Fallen, a poem by Laurence Binyon, and The Last Post was played on the bugle by Wallyford resident Simon Lowden.

Musselburgh Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets lowered their colours and a two-minute silence was observed at 11am.

The Reveille was played by Mr Lowden.

Pastor Andrew Agnew, of the Wallyford Livingroom Church, recited the poem In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae, and Mr Highley shared the words of the poet Sir Henry Newbolt.

The hymn Abide With Me was sung before a Christian reading was given by Mr Highley.

Jim McLean, who provided the sound system at the event, and Mr Hadden led the song When The Battle’s Over.

Mr Cleghorn recited the words of the Kohima Epitaph, which are carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in Kohima War Cemetery, north-east India.

The commemoration ended with the national anthem and a lament played by Pipe Major Moore.

During the service, Mr Hadden said: “This service is dedicated to the men and women from Wallyford, Smeaton, Deantown (now Whitecraig) and Musselburgh who left all that was dear to them, enduring hardship, facing danger and finally passing out of sight of their fellow man by the path of duty and self sacrifice.

“They gave up their own lives so that others may live in freedom.

“Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten.”

He thanked Wallyford Community Council for financing the order of service booklet.