PARISH NEWS

Three centenaries were commemorated on Tiree with a wreath-laying service at the grave of a young RAF pilot who died in a crash on the island in 1944 at the age of 22.

The 100th anniversary of the founding of the RAF, the centenary of the state of Czechoslovakia and the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Air Force were marked in a special project launched by the Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates Ltd, which sought to remember those who served in the RAF during the Second World War.

240 Czechoslovak airmen and one woman (WAAF) are known to have died in service during the War.

The project aimed to remember those who had died by placing a red white and blue carnation bouquet – the Czech national colours – and a tricolor on the gravestones or memorial of each.

One of the most remote graves was found at Soroby on the Isle of Tiree where Flying Officer Léonard Revilliod was killed in an accident in 1944. Leonard was a Swiss citizen, but the grandson of Tomáš Masaryk, the first President of the newly formed state of Czechoslovakia – and one of the first political leaders in Europe to express concern about the rise to power of Hitler in Germany.

The commemorative wreath was laid at Soroby Cemetery on Tiree on July 22.

Pictured (left to right): the Rev Dr Iain C Barclay, MBE, Interim Moderator of Tiree Parish Church, laying the ‘Project CzRAF 100’ red, white and blue carnation bouquet - the Czech national colours – with a traditional Czech tricolour ribbon, in the company of Mr and Mrs Ian Gillies, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll, Jane MacLeod and Neil Munn.