AHEAD of next weekend's centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War, the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice are being remembered.

Statues, memorials and plaques up and down the length and breadth of Scotland pay homage to the memory of the men and women who died serving their country during the 1914-1918 conflict.

One such plaque adorns the wall of the band hall of Peebles Burgh Silver Band.

Etched on the stone tablet are the names of eight young men who before the First World War had found friendship and camaraderie in their shared love of music.

Over the past month or two Sandy Hamilton, Life Member of Peebles Burgh Silver Band, has collated their stories from the Book of Remembrance for Tweeddale to help tell their stories - stories that are both compelling and poignant.

Private James Brockie: A china merchant in Peebles who was called up in September 1917. He died from an internal haemorrhage on November 7, 1917, aged 32. He left a widow, Catherine Confrey and a young child. He was buried at Peebles Cemetery and accorded a full military funeral, with a pipe band and firing party. Private James Brockie was one of four members of the same family in the army during the war. His youngest brother was killed on August 5, 1918, and his two other siblings were both wounded.

Private Joseph Brown: A millworker with March Street Mills and the third son of Andrew Brown, Rosetta Road, Peebles and one of four brothers who were in service. He enlisted with the Royal Scots in the first months of the war. He was mobilised to France in February 1917 where he was wounded and invalided home. However, he returned to the front and was killed in action on August 1, 1918, just three months before the end of the war The Chaplain of the 9th Royal Scots wrote to his widow at the time of his death; 'your husband was killed on August 1 in an attack which cost this Battalion many casualties, for all of them played a very gallant part that day. We all lament his death very much.' His wife and three young sons survived him.

Private Ernest J. Cook: Ernest Cook was killed by shellfire on the night of Sunday, May 21, 1916. Private Cook, of the Royal Scots, was a native of Dundee but had been working as a painter in March Street Mills at the outbreak of war in 1914. He had been in engaged in action in France for just over a year, and his last letter home to his wife and young family had talked of a longed-for leave of absence that sadly he was never to enjoy.

Private Joseph A.F. M’Leman: Joseph McLeman was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs William McLeman, Dean Park,Peebles. He was killed in action November 5, 1916 while fighting with the Royal Scots and was aged just 21. Before enlisting he was employed as a millworker with Tweedside Mill. It was noted he was an excellent cornet player. The Corporal of Private McLeman’s platoon wrote; 'he went up to the front on the morning of November 5, at Le Transloy. By mistake we entered the German trenches, having lost our way. We could not get our bayonets fixed, so we had to make a hand-to-hand fight to try and get out. We managed out between the lines, but the machine gun fire from the Germans compelled us to lie down. [Joe] was lying on my right, when I heard him shout that he was hit.' The Corporal also noted that he remembered Joe playing the cornet in the Royal Scots Band.

Private James Moffat: James Moffat was a veteran of the Second Boer War who had been made a burgess of Peebles, in recognition of his service in South Africa, upon his return to his hometown in 1901. Moffat was a member of the Territorials for 21 years and had volunteered for service when war broke out in 1914. Before enlisting he had been employed at Damdale Mill and had lived with his wife and two young children at Northgate, Peebles. Private Moffat was killed instantly when leaving his trench on May 16, 1915.

Sergeant Charles Watson Moodie: Serving with the Royal Engineers. He died at 20a Cross Street, Peebles on July 21, 1919. Moodie was a native of Kirkcaldy and had come to Peebles to work with Thomas Murray, Joiner, Damdale. As a keen trumpeter, upon his arrival in Peebles, he quickly joined the Silver Band and played with the Band until his enlistment in January 1915. During his service of almost four years in France, he was gassed twice and suffered much due to after effect of the gas attacks. For this gallantry in the field, he was awarded the Military Cross. His only brother was killed in action in September 1918.

Private David Philp: Private David Philp died at his home at 8 Venlaw Court, Peebles on June 29, 1919 following on from wounds received while serving with the Royal Scots. He was the son of George Philp, Bridgehouse Terrace, Peebles. Before joining up on June 1, 1916, he had been employed by March Street Mills. He was wounded during the big advance of March 21, 1918. He left a widow and three children. His brother, Sergeant George Philp, had been killed nearly four years earlier on September 25, 1915.

Sergeant George Philp: Private Philp’s brother and fellow Silver Band member had been killed during the great fight at La Bassee on September 25, 1915. Sergeant Philp’s Company Commander urged his widow to 'remember, that he died in one of the biggest battles of the world, along with many other brave fellows, and that he helped to make that day for his division, the 9th Kitchener’s First Division, a name that will never die. To him and all like him be the glory and honour'. Before his enlistment in had been employed by Damdale Mills and have been a member of the Silver Band for 30 years.

The members of the Peebles Burgh Silver Band will be remembered and honoured next weekend along with the other 222 men and woman from Peebles who died during the Great War.