PORT Glasgow fell silent on Sunday as the town’s residents paid tribute to those whose names are inscribed on the Fore Street war memorial.

A short parade from Port Glasgow New Parish Church was followed by the traditional two-minute silence and then by the laying of wreaths by, or on behalf of, local schools, community groups and Inverclyde Council as well as by a representative of the King.

(Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) The Port’s memorial, along with those in Greenock and Gourock, was re-dedicated on Sunday in the hope that locals will take heed of the ‘lest we forget’ message and continue to pay tribute for generations to come, even as the two great wars of the 20th century fade further into history.

(Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: alex craig) (Image: alex craig) The Port Glasgow memorial was unveiled on October 23, 1921, after some animated discussion over the best place for it to be located and after it was found that there was no bedrock in nearby Coronation Park to support the weight of a solid granite memorial.

(Image: alex craig) (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) The memorial contains the names of 342 men from the Port who paid the ultimate price in the First World War, and in 1952 the names were added of a further 110 servicemen and 53 civilians who died during the Second World War.