Aberdeen FC joined together with the rest of the country to mark Remembrance Day with special attention being paid to all the millions who suffered through the Great War.

Today’s Armistice Commemoration is the sixth such event organised by the AFC Heritage Trust.

This year sees the commemoration of the First World War on an unprecedented scale. The centenary of the outbreak of that calamitous event has now passed and over the coming years, we will see many events remembered and the entire war covered in great depth until we reach the most important centenary on the 11th of November 2018 when we can finally celebrate the end of that tragic period in history.

Between 1914 and 1918, Aberdeen Football Club saw a total of 33 players and members of staff leaving Pittodrie to serve in many areas. Of these, eight made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. 

There were other former players who also lost their lives during the conflict and undoubtedly there were many associated with Pittodrie, including the supporters, who suffered in different degrees as a result of the trials of warfare.

Research into this continues, but they include one-time club captain, Alex Halkett, and reserve players Andrew Hamilton and Allan Lawrie. 

In the 1940s, two promising young players also died, John Waran Campbell and George Scott, both of whom were serving in the Royal Air Force.

The AFC Heritage Trust has for some years now observed Armistice Day on each 11th November and has created a memorial in the Richard Donald Stand that can be visited by supporters. 

The memorial includes details of nine players and staff who died in the First World War as well as two players who were killed in the Second. Each individual deserves equal respect but it is notable that the list includes two brothers – Charles and James Neilson from Ellon, who also had another brother killed in the conflict.

The Armistice ceremony at Pittodrie has grown steadily over the past five years and today was the most extensive yet, with representation from many branches of the services, including the Gordon Highlanders and the Ghurkhas, and the unveiling of a special tribute to the many Aberdeen supporters who also lost their lives in warfare.

ABERDEEN FOOTBALL CLUB HERITAGE TRUST WAR MEMORIAL
ROLL OF HONOUR 

WORLD WAR I

Private Allan Lawrie 1915
(Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders)

Private Andrew Hamilton 1915
(Gordon Highlanders)

Sergeant-Major John Mackay 1916
(Royal Engineers)

Company Sergeant-Major Charles Neilson 1916
(Gordon Highlanders)

Gunner Alex L Halkett 1917
(Royal Field Artillery)

Captain Joseph Ellis Milne DSO 1917
(Royal Medical Corps)

Gunner John Munro 1917
(Royal Field Artillery)

Lance Corporal Angus McLeod 1917
(Gordon Highlanders)

Trimmer Frederick Watson 1917
(Royal Naval Reserve)

Sergeant James Hadden Neilson 1917
(Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders)

Captain Herbert Murray MC 1918
(Gordon Highlanders)

WORLD WAR II 

Sergeant Observer George Gardiner Scott 1942
(Royal Air Force)

Flying Officer John Waran Campbell 1943
(Royal Air Force)

Please note the Pittodrie Club Shop still has some copies left of Sunday’s special edition of RedMatchday.