The future of the remembrance parade and Poppy Appeal in the north-east’s biggest town have been thrown into turmoil because the British Legion branch is on the brink of collapse.
Armistice Day services across the country are organised by local branches of the veterans’ charity to commemorate military personnel who have died in war.
But the residents of Peterhead may have seen their last service at the town’s South Road memorial after the Legion announced it is facing closure.
To operate under the umbrella of the British Legion – the only organisation which can lawfully sell poppies for fundraising – a branch must have veterans on the committee.
Last night honorary committee member, Dennis Bruce, said: “The Peterhead branch of the British Legion faces closure next year due to lack of support from ex-service personnel coming forward to serve on the committee.
“During the last year, two of the serving committee members sadly died and with only one veteran left, the committee cannot continue.”
An agm has been arranged for early next year in an effort to “save” the branch and preserve the future of remembrance services in the Buchan town.
Mr Bruce added: “The main function of the branch for the last few years has been to organise the Poppy Appeal which was very successful this year, and the Armistice Parade, both of which would be in serious doubt if there was no branch.”
The committee is now appealing for veterans from Peterhead and the surrounding area to come forward and join the Legion.
Peterhead’s remembrance service is held every November at the cenotaph on the town’s South Road, where hundreds of people are always prepbrace the biting North Sea wind to pay their respects to fallen men and women.
Local veterans traditionally march to the memorial where they are joined by members of the Sea Cadets and RNLI, before attending a service at Old Parish Church.