IN Melrose the soldiers who never returned from World War One were remembered at the Memorial which overlooks the Greenyards Rugby Ground.

Current players at the home of rugby sevens have researched the club’s 75 representatives who enlisted as war broke out in 1914.

A total of 13 of them, including former captain Private John Gill who died in Mesopotamia, were killed in battle.

Douglas Hardie, President of Melrose RFC, said: “We felt it was important for everyone at Melrose to remember those from our club who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“The players have spent a lot of time researching the stories of the players, coaches and members of our club who never returned.”

The service at the Memorial was conducted by the Rev Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Church and the Rev Rosemary Frew of Melrose Parish Church.

Following an impeccable two minutes' silence, the Rev Frew said: “In remembering those who died may we become better men and women.”

A total of 454 Melrose men – from an overall population of just over 3,000 – served between 1914 and 1918.

The 90 who never came home are listed on the sandstone memorial.

Colonel Ross Thomson and Flight Lieutenant John Brown led 35 veterans behind Standard Bearer Alastair Grieve on the parade from the town's Market Place, which also included many schoolchildren and youth organisations, to the Memorial.

Lieutenant Robert Murray, who emigrated to Scotland from his native South Africa 20 years ago, wore the medals of his surgeon grandfather Charles Murray.

Lt Murray said: "My family, including my grandfather, were from Scotland and I take great honour in remembering him and everyone else who fought during the war.

"When I first marched in Melrose 20 years ago there were 140 veterans - today there are only 35."