MP Martin Docherty-Hughes gathered with the community in West Dunbartonshire to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz.
Following a memorial service led by Canon Gerry Tartaglia of St Margaret’s and Our Holy Redeemer Parishes and Reverend Gregor McIntyre of Faifley Parish Church in Clydebank, Martin joined with elected members including Council leader Jonathan McColl and Depute Provost Karen Conaghan to lay wreaths at the Polish Memorial at Solidarity Plaza and the Blitz memorial at Old Dalnottar Cemetery.
Martin invited the Ukrainian Consul General to attend this year’s Clydebank Blitz commemorations as a mark of solidarity with the people of Ukraine. He was also honoured to welcome the Consul General representatives of Poland, France, Germany, Romania, Lithuania, and Estonia who were in attendance.
A commemorative plaque was also unveiled at the Municipal buildings in Dumbarton. The plaque was created in memory of Dumbarton residents who lost their lives as a result of enemy bombing strikes on the 13th and 14th of March 1941, and again on the 5th and 6th of May 1941 during WWII.
Speaking after the memorial services, Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“It was an honour as West Dunbartonshire’s MP to stand united in solidarity with the Consul General of Ukraine, local elected Members, and representatives from our European neighbours, to remember the sacrifices made for democracy on the 81st anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz.
“It is also fit and proper that at last we commemorate the people of Dumbarton who lost their lives during those terrible days in March and May 1941.
“We must never forget the devastation inflicted on our communities during the Blitz bombing raids of 1941. The conflict in Ukraine has been a painful reminder of the catastrophe of war, and the need for us to stand together for democracy, peace and human solidarity.”
