Ayrshire remembrance day services

Nov 13 2009 by Cheryl Mcevoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE OLDEST surviving member of Ayrshire Yeomanry was among those who paid tribute to war dead at Remembrance Day services across the county.

Eric Kirk, 92, travelled to Ayr from his native Nottingham to join in the ceremony at Ayr cenotaph in Wellington Square on Sunday.

The former army gunner was one of a handful of soldiers posted to the Ayrshire Yeomanry in 1940.

The unit served in north Africa during the Second World War, where Eric was injured in an explosion in 1943.

He was finally discharged at 11am on November 11, 1943.

And it was a poignant trip to pay tribute to his former colleagues who died in battle.

He said: “Friendships in the army are nothing like those in civilian life. You’re joined at the hip.

“It’s the second year in a row I’ve come to the Ayrshire service. It means a lot to remember those who didn’t make it.”

Services were also held in towns and villages across the county, including Prestwick, Troon, Maybole, Girvan and Cumnock.