15/09/2005 - Inverclyde paid tribute to its Second World War heroes and said a big thank you for the sacrifices they made.

At a veterans reception in the McLean Museum, nearly 100 men and women were presented with lapel badges to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the six-year conflict.

David Cairns MP invited the 200-strong audience to remember both the veterans who were still alive and those who fell in battle.

Speaking after the event, he said: “It is a small token of our thanks to the veterans.

“Our generation owe them everything for the sacrifices they made.”

And David’s job was not done, with more than 70 badges still to be presented in a number of nursing homes throughout the district.

Following an appeal in the Telegraph, David’s office was inundated with requests from family for their husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers to be honoured.

The Inverclyde MP hoped to extend the commemoration to others who served in subsequent conflicts since 1945.

It was an emotional night as old friends were reunited, and memories shared of the difficult times both overseas and on the home front.

A number of women from the often forgotten army of women who kept the war effort alive in the Women’s Royal Air Force were also honoured on Friday night.

Proud MSP Duncan McNeil watched his father, also Duncan, a former Cameronian, being presented with his lapel badge.

Greenock and Inverclyde’s MSP said: “It was a great night, in particular to get along with my dad and his lifelong friend Jim Hotchkiss.

“There were people who had been in Burma and we are aware of all the sacrifices they made.”

Greenock’s McLean Museum was at the centre of the Second World War commemorations with an exhibition that has attracted hundreds of visitors.

Staff have also put on various events to mark the milestone. Veterans across the country were being presented with lapel badges and certificates to mark the 60th anniversary of both the Great War and the Second World War.