WATCH: Walkerburn remembers the fallen

The village had the highest casualty rate as a percentage of its population of any settlement in Scotland.

And on Sunday, those who made the ultimate sacrifice were remembered at a ceremony at the War Memorial.

The community turned out in numbers to pay their respects at the service, which was led by Rev Dr Miller Milloy and assisted by Colonel John Purves MBE and Colin Kerr.

They gathered at the memorial to welcome the parade which was led by piper Bruce Hamilton.

The ceremony was opened by the hymn ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past’ and prayers were said.

Wreaths were laid by Mary Coltman; Dr Steven Henderson, chairman of the Community Council; Eric Pearce, representing the Walkerburn ex-Service men and women; and Jimmy Cockburn on behalf of the Royal British Legion. 

Brownies, Guides, Scouts, the Church of Scotland and the charity ‘Who Dares Cares’ whose co-founder, Calum Macleod, is a son of the village, also laid wreaths.

Locals joined in with the national anthem to bring the service to a close.

And more than 200 villagers then headed to the Public Hall for lunch, where there was a display profiling those who lost their lives during the conflict.

The exhibition was mounted by Col Purves. 

“We know something about each of the 68 Walkerburn men we identified so we were able to produce a very personal exhibition,” he said.

“This was an occasion not only to remember them for their sacrifice but to provide some insight for us into who these men were and, where known, some indication of when and where they fell. 

“The Minister’s theme, that we should all pray that mankind could somehow learn to build a better peace for future generations, entirely captured the feeling of those present.”

Dr Henderson added: “The lunch is a wonderful way to celebrate the cohesiveness of the Walkerburn and district community as well to acknowledge the sacrifice made by our village forebears. 

“It has become a welcome tradition which the community council is delighted to support.”