This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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90th anniversary of Passchendaele
01/02/2007
Ministers have agreed to pay £5,000 towards the overall costs of commemorative events for the 90th anniversary of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele, to be held in Zonnebeke in Belgium in August.
Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty told MSPs:
"This Executive believes that what happened at Passchendaele deserves to be remembered and appropriately commemorated, and all the more so because of the significant role played by Scottish soldiers.
"Some 10 Scottish regiments participated in the offensive. Indeed the organisers rightfully acknowledge the important and significant endeavour of the Scottish units, noting in particular the valour of the 9th, 15th and 51st Divisions.
"In raising a magnificent Celtic Cross on the Frezenberg in Flanders as part of an entire weekend of events, organisers are commemorating the bravery of Scottish troops not just in Flanders or at the Battle of Passchendaele, but throughout the entire First World War."
There will be a special 'Scottish weekend' at Zonnebeke on August 25 and 26.