COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing has made a commitment to visit all of the 106 Commonwealth War graves in the constituency, in a debate at Holyrood on Thursday.

Ms Ewing spoke in the debate, in the Parliament Chamber recognising the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and resolved that in the coming year she would endeavour to visit all 106 Commonwealth war graves in her constituency. She also extended an invitation to the Veterans Minister to join her on one of those visits, which will include Ballingry, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Cardenden.

During her speech, Ms Ewing said: “It is important to emphasise that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission carries out its work and discharges its responsibilities admirably and in a dignified way, which we should commend. A lot of care and pride is taken in the sensitive work that it does.

“All Commonwealth war dead are commemorated individually and equally, so that their name—if known—appears either on a headstone at an identified burial site or on a memorial. The war dead are treated equally, irrespective of military rank, race, creed or any other consideration, and the headstones, cemeteries and memorials are perpetually maintained and carefully tended."

She added: “In Scotland, there are some 20,000 war graves that are cared for by the commission.

"In my constituency of Cowdenbeath, there are 106 Commonwealth war graves. Those are to be found in Ballingry, Aberdour, Cowdenbeath, Cardenden, Inverkeithing, Rosyth, Lochgelly and Dalgety Bay.

“Prompted by this afternoon’s debate, my new year’s resolution is to visit each and every one of those graves in my constituency to pay my respects.

“I thank the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for all that it does to ensure that the countless lives that were lost in the first and second world wars are not just commemorated but commemorated with the dignity that they very much deserve.”

Speaking after the debate. Ms Ewing said: “When resolving to visit all the Commonwealth war graves in my constituency, I extended an invitation to the Veterans’ Minister, Graeme Dey, to join me on one of my visits and I am delighted that in his summing up speech he accepted that invitation.”