ROSYTH is set to be part of a touching tribute which will see thousands of beacons lit across the UK and the Commonwealth to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

On November 11, 7pm – a century after the guns fell silent – HMS Caledonia will be a place of commemoration for the millions who sacrificed their life with a beacon symbolising the ‘light of hope’ that emerged from the darkness of war.

Local primary schools will be reciting poetry for the ceremony and youth organisations will be talking part in a parade, with VIP guests in attendance from the West Fife community.

The ‘Battles Over’ day of remembrance will begin at 6am when an 11-year-old piper will play at the garden of remembrance in Inverkeithing and the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display at MoD Caledonia.

Church bells across the land will also ring out at 7.05pm.

Jim Stewart, treasure of Rosyth and West Fife branch of the Royal Naval Association, the group organising the event, said: “This is very much a unique and once-only event and is designed to honour those who sacrificed so much in this war to end all wars.

“The ceremony is also aimed at promoting a lasting peace throughout the world, and it is our aim to pass this message down, through the youth of today.

“The children are key to this and over the last year, we have been visiting local schools delivering powerpoint presentations to give them an idea of how important this area was in World War One.”

As well as funding from Fife Council and the armed forces, Babcock will be manufacturing the beacon, which will then be donated to Rosyth Community Council after the event. A sovereign programme is also being put together with articles from local historians and military personnel and it is hoped that it will act as historical document for the area, with copies supplied to libraries.

The nine primary schools involved are Park Road, Kings Road, St John’s, Donibristle, Dalgety Bay, North Queensferry, Limekilns, Camdean and Inverkeithing.

Jim added: “These areas were all key to the First World War and I don’t think people quite realise their strategic importance.

“There was an airfield at Donibristle and the British were leaps ahead of the Germans developing the sonar and radar technologies at HMS Tarlair in Aberdour/Dalgety Bay.

“The dockyards also had a huge influence on West Fife with lots of skilled labours moving to the area and the migration particularly had an impact on Rosyth schools because there was such a shortage of places. I think its hugely important for the area to reflect on this event that shaped us.”