Clydebank Blitz 80th anniversary: Small and silent tributes paid to heroes

But the stillness that hung over the town on Saturday seemed particularly noticeable, as memories turned to those who lost loved ones when the Luftwaffe’s bombs began to fall on Bankies and their homes and workplaces 80 years ago.

The lockdown restrictions had long since meant that plans to properly commemorate the anniversary of the Blitz had been put on hold, hopefully to be staged later this year.

But in order to ensure that two of the darkest days in Clydebank’s history were marked in some form, there were two small, solemn ceremonies held in the town on Saturday morning.

Provost William Hendrie and Bailie Denis Agnew, representing West Dunbartonshire Council, and Clydebank’s MSP, Gil Paterson, laid wreaths first at the Blitz memorial in Old Dalnottar Cemetery and then, a short time later, at Solidarity Plaza, opposite Clydebank Town Hall, where the heroics of the Polish navymen who tried to divert the Germans’ attention away from the homes of ordinary Bankies are permanently remembered.

Wreaths at Solidarity Plaza

At the cemetery, the dignitaries were joined by members of the Rocks family, who lost several loved ones during the attacks and who came along to pay their own quiet and personal respects. And at the latter venue, a new plaque was unveiled by Provost Hendrie and Bailie Agnew to mark the milestone.

Then, on Sunday, a new piece of classical music, commissioned especially to mark the 80th anniversary, received its world premiere with a performance on YouTube by the Royal Scottish national Orchestra of ‘Clydebank ‘41’.

Written by the orchestra’s principal horn player Christopher Gough, it commemorates not only the Bankies who lost their lives on those terrible nights, but also those who survived, and who battled for years and decades afterwards to replace what they had lost and to rebuild their lives and their town.

Bailie Denis Agnew and Provost William Hendrie at Solidarity Plaza to mark the 80th anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz

Bailie Agnew said: “On this 80th anniversary, we remember not only the hundreds of residents who lost their lives but also the surviving citizens whose lives changed forever over the two nights of relentless attacks.

“It is hard to comprehend the horror and devastation that survivors witnessed after the attacks. It is immeasurable.

“Entire streets were reduced to rubble and the survivors’ resilience, sheer determination and indomitable spirit to go on and build the town of Clydebank is remarkable and commendable.

“I would like to thank the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for producing such a wonderful and poignant piece of music, which tells the harrowing story of the Blitz.

“This piece of music will always be synonymous with the Clydebank Blitz and will keep the memory of victims alive for many years to come.”

Mr Paterson added: “Although it was a very small civic commemoration, nevertheless it was a very emotional and powerful event for me, both at Old Dalnottar and the unveiling of the plaque at Solidarity Plaza.”