A Renfrewshire charity will fall silent this morning, with three Falklands veterans from Erskine reflecting alongside one another 40 years after the war that changed their lives forever.

From 11am, the nation will observe a two-minute silence for Armistice Day, honouring all of those lost in conflict as they mark ‘the 11th hour, of the 11th month’.

Veterans, carers and families from across the organisation’s network of homes will join together at the Memorial Stone at The Erskine Home in Bishopton to remember.

Among them will be Royal Navy veterans Craig McDermott, 58, and Norrie McDade, 60, along with Bill McDowall, 61, of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.

The 74-day undeclared war between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands cost the lives of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen.

When war broke out between the British and the Argentines, Norrie was onboard the HMS Plymouth as it fought and assisted in the transportation of soldiers, of which Bill was among.

Craig, meanwhile, was onboard the HMS Antrim, at the centre of the British military’s operation to retake South Georgia.

The horrors they witnessed are well documented but today they will remember those less fortunate.

Pupils from Bishopton Primary School and Park Mains High School will also be in attendance at the service led by the Reverend Graham Morrison.

Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive at Erskine, told the Gazette: “We need no reminder of the sacrifices that our veterans have made but our conversations and thoughts always become increasingly poignant in the run-up to Remembrance.

“This year, like every year, we will remember them by showing our commitment of providing futures for the brave.”

To donate Erskine’s 2022 remembrance campaign click here.