AN emotional service is to be held to remember first aid volunteers who died in Paisley’s worst wartime disaster.
It is now 75 years since a German parachute bomb hit First Aid Post #5 in Woodside, killing 92 people.
Jenny Enterkin, now 102, is the oldest survivor of the blast and will attend a special memorial service at Woodside Cemetery on Sunday, May 8.
Provost Anne Hall said: “The Woodside bombings were Paisley’s worst disaster and it is important that we always remember the sacrifice these people made for the freedom we all enjoy today. Their lives, hopes and dreams were taken from them in a single moment – and we should never forget that.
“Anniversaries are always poignant moments of reflection for the community. In honouring the lives of all those who perished that day we keep their memory alive in our hearts.”
The bomb fell at 2am on May 6, 1941.
A last minute gust of wind blew the falling missile away from residential closes on King Street towards the first aid post.
Joining Jenny at the service will be James Ferguson.
His father Peter went to help emergency services on the scene after the bomb hit.
Peter was so shocked by the events of that day he took a piece of the parachute cord as a memento so he would never forget.
On Sunday afternoon three wreaths will be laid – one by Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall on behalf of the people of Renfrewshire.
Mrs Enterkin and Dr Stella Gibson, whose father was killed at the post, will also lay wreaths.
The names of those lost in the disaster will be read out by Council Leader Mark Macmillan, members of the Board of Woodside Cemetery and community representatives during the service.
After the service, people are invited to share memories over tea and sandwiches at Martyr’s Sandyford Church on King Street from 2.45pm.
A special WWII 1940s-theme tea dance to celebrate the lives of those lost will also take place at the church – alongside speeches by local historians and live music of the era.
Sunday’s service will be conducted by Reverend George Prentice.
Ms Hall added: “After the service, people are invited to join to share their memories in Martyrs’ Sandyford Church and I hope to see many come along to this part of the memorial event between 2.45pm and 5pm.”
The Woodside First Aid Post memorial service has been organised by the Renfrewshire Family History Society, the Board of Woodside Cemetery and Renfrewshire Council.
What a horrible situation in first aid, this was the first article that we read today in regards to first aid courses. Hopefully no one could be so sinister in the future. Lets pray that there is never a war like this again and that first aid training and those that use their training to save people are always kept safe.