Attendees at the Remembrance Sunday gathering at the war memorial paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for their country and to allow freedom to remain a normal part of life.

South Lanarkshire Provost Ian McAllan joined the Lord Lieutenant for Lanarkshire, Lady Haughey, as well as Rev Ross Blackman of Hamilton Old Parish Church and piper Davie Stark in undertaking the ceremony to remember the fallen.

Provost McAllan said: “If the last two years have taught us anything, it is never to take anything for granted.

“Personal freedoms and the ability to see family are two examples of what we missed hugely during lockdown. But these are just two of the many aspects of daily life that those who fought for this country risked losing in those terrible times of war.

“The freedom to have anything near to what we would call a normal life was denied to all during the years of conflict as the threat loomed over the country that personal liberties may be lost forever should victory not be secured.

“So much was suffered and endured, and all of it was done so that future generations would be the better for it.

“And so that’s why it is so important at this time of year that we reflect on that sacrifice made by others in the name of protecting the society we enjoy today.

“For remembering that sacrifice not only honours those who made it, but it also helps us to work to ensure that their loss was not in vain.

“We do so by treasuring what we have and striving to find a way to make the need for that sort of sacrifice a thing of the past. But although we want to consign it to the past, it is only by remembering what has gone before that we can hope to build for the future.”

Provost McAllan reflected that the selfless attitude of those who gave their lives in the past continues through those who embrace it in the present.

He added: “Our thoughts are also with those who currently serve in our name, who – like those who have gone before, through the centuries – knowingly and willingly risk their lives for families, for friends, for those they have never met and for those they never will.

“There are those who serve now, there are those who have served, and there are those who will serve in the future, and we honour and thank them all. We will always remember them.”