News and Events

Update on July 2021 Pilgrimage It is with profound regret that McCrae’s Battalion Trust announces the cancellation of the 2021 pilgrimage to Contalmaison. With the situation remaining uncertain, and especially since much of France remains closed, curfewed or difficult to access, to undertake complex logistic arrangements at this moment

History of the Poppy We are all very used to wearing the Poppy at this time of year to remember and commemorate the fallen. This year is the 90th anniversary of Poppy Scotland, so Jack Alexander has put together the story of its humble beginnings and importantly the

Chairman’s Update October 2020 I hope you’re all bearing up By now you’ve probably seen our announcement about the cancellation of our Royal Scots commemorative lunch for this year. We are all disappointed but it’s sadly in keeping with the strange times we are living through. As

Please see a historic update on a Friendship Agreement between Edinburgh and Contalmaison Friendship Agreement Sadly we are not in France this year for the 1st July ceremony of remembrance but we have not forgotten – 1 July 2020 – Part 2

Remembering Lt Col Gary Tait MBE On this day we mark with great sadness the anniversary of the passing of our friend, Lt Col Gary Tait MBE, former Chairman of McCrae’s Battalion Trust, an irreplaceable loss. Gary’s distinguished career and consummate abilities were almost eclipsed by his

St Cuthbert’s Church VE Day Commemoration McCrae’s Battalion Trust would like to share the Dedication of WWII Roll of Honour book and Commemoration of 75th Anniversary of VE Day performed by Rev Peter Sutton of St Cuthberts Church, who is also the Padre of McCrae’s Battalion Trust.

CONTALMAISON 2019 PILGRIMAGE – CANCELLED We are all aware of the ongoing and rapidly changing Corona Virus situation, in the interest of everyone’s health and well-being MBT has reluctantly decided that it would not be appropriate to go ahead with this years pilgrimage to France. For all

Memorial Bench Fundraising Update McCrae’s Battalion Trust launched a crowd funding page on Sunday 22nd February 2020, with the aim of raising £2000 towards a wooden bench and transportation to Contalmaison, France, in memory of Lt Col Gary Tait MBE and Patricia Leroy. We were absolutely overwhelmed

Memorial Bench Crowdfunding McCrae’s Battalion Trust has launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for a wooden bench to be made and delivered to Contalmaison for our July 1st pilgrimage, as a commemorative memorial for former Trust Chairman Lt Col Gary Tait MBE and Patricia Leroy, former

Please find details of the 2020 Contalmaison Pilgrimage at: