A monument that stands at 5ft tall in Bishopton - called Shadow of the Brave - has been revealed as it marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war.
The structure is a silhouette of Erskine Veteran Bill McDowall kneeling and paying his respects to his fallen comrades.
Bill, 61, fought in the Falklands war when he was 21 year old, and now works and lives in the Erskine Veterans Village.
He also served in the Germany, Kenya, Cyprus and Northern Ireland and his medals are General Service with NI clasp and South Atlantic with rosette.
Bill recalls: “In early April 1982, like everyone else in the UK, we watched in disbelief as the events in the
Falkland Islands unfolded in the news. I remember thinking “How did the Argentinians manage to get up the
Orkneys”, then I saw for the first time on the TV just were the Falklands are.”
Events continued to unfold, but as far as 2nd Scots Guards were concerned, they were not involved as they
were carrying out public duties in London by guarding Buckingham Palace, St James Palace and the Tower
of London. In fact, at this time, were actually preparing for a Major General’s inspection of the battalion in
Chelsea Barracks.
Around April 18, 1982 , Bill headed into the barracks for what he thought was a normal day’s work.
On arrival he was told that the Commanding Officer, LT Colonel Scott, would be addressing the battalion in
the gymnasium later in the morning. The Commanding Officer informed Bill and his comrades that the Scots
Guards had been selected to form part of 20,000-strong Task Force including of 5 Infantry Brigade along
with the Welsh Guards and the 7 th Ghurkha rifles, which would be sailing to the Falklands after an initial trip
to Brecon in Wales to practise working as a Brigade.
Following a three week intensive training exercise in Wales, they returned to Chelsea Barracks to get ready
to head to war.
When 2nd Battalion Scots Guards landed at Fitzroy on June 6 it was to take the heavily defended Mount Tumbledown. Records say that on June 8, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards shot down three enemy aircraft.
Bill recalled: "“People are dying and others are going to die. As a soldier, all you can do is hope that the next time, if it is your turn, it doesn’t hurt too much.”
He is full of praise for Erskine, adding: "There are an awful lot of servicemen and women out there who need the help that only somewhere like Erskine provides. Nobody understood what I was going through.
"Had it not been for Erskine, their understanding of my condition and the encouragement I was given, I honestly do not think I would be in this world today.”
The dial, which Bill is standing beside in our photograph, was created as a remembrance and reflection marker for veterans. Families visiting the Erskine area can see the sundial monument that is on display.
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The dial has been designed in a way that In-between every hour there is a series of dots, totalling 255 to commemorate every fallen British military personnel.
The structure has also been created to tell the time in the Falklands by using the shadow of the kneeling soldier as it moves around the dial. Guests, including a number of Falklands Veterans, were welcomed to the remembrance service by Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Erskine chief executive.
Wing Commander Cumming said: “It is only right that we pay our respects to those who fought with valour to defend the citizens and the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. “Operation Corporate” was a brief but ferocious campaign, fought 40 years ago at great distance, in a place which few people had heard of at the time.”
“This anniversary reminds us of the importance of charities like Erskine, who work so tirelessly to ensure that our nation’s Veterans, of all ages, are provided with the care, support and accommodation that they need and indeed deserve.”
A minute's silence was marked by standards lowered and ‘The Last Post’ by Gavin Templeton.
Piper Alastair Henderson followed with ‘The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain’ famously composed by Pipe Major James Riddell in the Falklands during battle, honouring those who fought. Following the laying of several wreaths, guests were then welcomed to the Centenary Garden and Garden of Reflection as they paid their own respects.
Wing Commander Cumming added: "The remembrance service and the unveiling of stunning Shadow of the Brave, one of the few permanent Falklands War memorials in Scotland, are poignant and fitting tributes to all those who served.
"Through Bill McDowall, and so many other Erskine Veterans who fought in the Falklands, we know the pain that so many live with. This sundial, in Bill’s image, is a remarkable piece of artwork, which will serve as a reminder to everyone who visits our Veterans Village, of the sacrifices that so many have made.”
The outside of the dial is inscribed with the poignant quote - "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them".
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