County War Memorial to be floodlit for Centenary

At a well-attended but solemn ceremony, the memorial was unveiled in January 1924 by Mrs Janet Hardy, who had lost three sons in the First World War. The losses from the four years of hostilities greatly affected many communities across Shetland. The memorial lists the names of 624 men who never returned home after peace was declared in November 1918. The side panels carry a further 359 names of those who died in the Second World War.

Since the unveiling in 1924, the memorial has been the principal location for local acts of Remembrance, remembering those who have died in conflict. On this year's centenary, the memorial will be floodlit each night from Friday evening until Armisitice Day on Monday 11th November. In 1918, it was at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month that terms of the Armistice agreement signed between the Allies and Germany took effect, ending hostilities in the First World War.

Along with other public buildings across Scotland, Lerwick Town Hall will also be lit red this weekend too, in support of this year's Poppy Scotland charity appeal, raising funds for veterans and the Armed Forces Community.

The public are invited to attend the Parade of Remembrance and wreath laying at the County War Memorial, from 10.40am this Sunday (10th November).

In January 2024, a rededication event took place to mark the Centenary of the unveiling of the County War Memorial

Published: 7th November 2024