Wreath laid in memory of German soldiers in Forres first
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THERE was a first in Forres on Remembrance Day this year as a wreath was laid in memory of fallen German soldiers.
On Monday, November 11, German pair Franz Rolinck, originally from Münster, and Mark Dammer, from Kassel, both now living in Forres, laid a wreath at the War Memorial in remembrance of Germans in what is thought to be a Forres first.
Franz had seen the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, doing the same in London last year and wanted to commemorate his dad – who was kept as a prisoner of war after his boat was destroyed in Scottish waters during World War Two.
He was joined as he laid the wreath by Mr Dammer, whose uncle died in Normandy in 1944 after being drafted into the S.S. Mark's father, who died this year, also had an extremely fortunate and unlikely escape towards the end of the Second World War after being captured by French forces.
Mr Rolinck told the Forres Gazette: "I was touched by the dignity with which the Scottish people honour their soldiers. The Germans have struggled honouring their soldiers – I think because they were the losers.
"It was special for me as my dad's boat was destroyed north of Orkney before he was kept as a prisoner of war in Canada for seven years.
"It was the most beautiful ceremony. I will be, for the rest of my life, honoured. The embracing of the idea and the idea we are all the same from the locals was truly amazing."
Thirty people, including representatives from the Royal British Legion and St Leonard's Church reverend Donald Prentice, watched on as the duo laid a wreath.
Mr Dammer added: "I have always felt drawn to do something like this. I'm aware of how many of these young men got drawn into these atrocities against their will.
"It is a good way to build bridges and overcome resentment. Doing a ceremony together is very appropriate.
"Everybody who came together for the ceremony was really touched. People tell their stories but – regardless of what side you were on – they are pretty much the same."
Mark told his own story – the remarkable one of how his father survived the war.
"The leader of his military unit decided 'we are not going to win this so bury all weapons, hide our uniforms and try to get home'," he explained. "If his german colleagues had found him he would have been shot immediately.
"My dad went on foot to his mother in south Germany.
"He was captured by two French fighters and interrogated in a barn before they took him out to a field to execute him. But, as they were setting up the gun, one man shot through his own hand and into other's leg. My father ran.
"It's a miracle that the gun went off and one bullet injured them both."
Both men were invited for a drink at the Royal British Legion after the ceremony, and thanked the people of Forres for their kindness and acceptance.
