Laurieton RSL secretary George Wise travelled to Wick, Scotland on August 1 to attend the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) Mey Highland Games.
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Mr Wise met His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay (Prince Charles) as he is known in Scotland who also attended the games.
Mr Wise and his wife Teresa were invited by HRH to attend a reception at the Castle of Mey on August 5.
President of the Laurieton RSL Mike McClelland said George was having a marvellous time representing the sub branch at Wick in Scotland.
“Wick Legion and the Laurieton Sub Branch have formed a sister relationship and George is in Scotland and rubbing shoulders with royalty no less,” he said.
During the trip Mr Wise also paid tribute to Australia’s airmen who were killed in World War Two and have gravestones at Wick cemetery.
Along with his wife Teresa, Mr Wise was invited by the Wick branch of Royal British Legion Scotland to visit the headstones of the five Australians buried at the cemetery.
He laid a poppy and bowed towards the five men’s gravestones during the service.
They were Flight Sergeant Maurice Daly; Flight Sergeant Raymond Faulks; Sergeant Malcolm Kent; Pilot Officer Alan McLay; and Sergeant Colin Weston, who served in the Royal Australian Airforce.
Mr Wise was overwhelmed by the ceremony and thanked the Wick branch representatives for their hospitality.
“I have been humbled by what has been arranged for us,” he said.
“It was quite emotional for me and I can’t thank the people enough for their tributes to the Australian airmen.”
The Wick branch also arranged for the Australian flag to be flown at the Wick war memorial in the town centre.
Captain Richard Otley, whose late father William was a member of the Laurieton RSL sub branch, forged links between the Royal British Legion Scotland and the local RSL.
George, Captain Richard Otley said, showed great care to ex-servicemen and women who immigrated to Australia, in particular his late father.
“As chairman of Royal British Legion Wick, Canisbay and Latheron Branch our entire membership are honoured, privileged and humbled that George has chosen to visit us over the weekend of our RBLS Mey Games,” Captain Otley said.
“RBLS Wick is very proud that George accepted to be our honorary member which was awarded to him earlier this year in recognition of his outstanding service to the RSL and veteran support.”
At the the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) Mey Highland Games Mr Wise witnessed traditional events such as the tug-of-war, which a team of “Pictish Warriors”, from the Caithness Broch Project, won, and a gun display by local Sea Cadets. There was also a dog show, a sack race and egg and spoon run to make the games a more family-orientated event.
Vietnam Veterans Day Service will be at Laurieton Memorial Park August 18 at 11am.