‘AS everyone knows, Monday 4th August will mark the centenary anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. It is both an historic and an important anniversary.

With a population of 4.5 million in 1914, over 557,000 Scots signed up. Of them, 74,000 never returned home and the devastating impact which this had on communities across the country, including in many small rural communities, is a stark reminder of the human impact of war - not just to that generation but to each generation since.

The work of raising memorials began almost as soon as the war ended. It is hard to find any town or village which does have a war memorial and therefore a permanent list of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Generally speaking, they are very well maintained and an increasingly precious part of local heritage. Just before the summer recess, the Scottish Parliament debated - on a very consensual basis - what more can be done to support our Armed Services, their families and their local communities, and on 28th June, on Armed Services Day, we saw a huge outpouring of public affection and respect.

With 2014 also seeing Scotland play host to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, part of the commemoration must also mark the sacrifice of the thousands of men from across the Commonwealth - or what was the British Empire - who formed such an integral part of the war effort. The experiences of the Commonwealth nations and the stories of the Scottish diaspora are part of a major exhibition in the National Museum of Scotland over the summer months and, like so many other events, are an integral part of the commemorations as are increasing the opportunities for educational visits to the Western Front battlefields.

But it is the commitment amongst our youngest citizens which is just as impressive. In several schools I have visited recently - including three primary schools - I have been struck by the interest in and commitment to the highly imaginative work which is going on in our classrooms to help youngsters understand and appreciate what happened in the Great War.

Funding has been made available to give thousands of schoolchildren the opportunity to visit the Great War battlefields. There is no doubt about the value of such visits and I certainly know that those schools across Scotland which have been able to participate in similar schemes have spoken very enthusiastically about their visits. The facility for pupils to learn, at first-hand, about the personal stories of those involved in the war effort and about the extraordinary sacrifices made by the troops, is a precious educational experience and one that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

As an MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife I am always available to help local constituents with any problems and can be contacted on the following: Elizabeth Smith MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 5000Email:elizabeth.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk’