On the 11th November 2018 an incredibly moving event took place in Cellardyke commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War, and those from Cellardyke who were lost.
64 young people and adults represented the 64 men and women known to have died in the burgh of Cellardyke and Kilrenny in WW1.
Each person left from the front of the house that was the home of their WW1 Dyker lost carrying a dog tag Two processions slowly headed towards Cellardyke Town Hall, each growing as they were joined silently by others along the route.
“Alexander Corstorphine, Deckhand, RNRT (19). Served his apprenticeship as a blacksmith and employed at the cleekmaking factory. Came from a fishing family (his father was the skipper/owner of the Steam Drifter Unity). He died after his boat HMT Gambri, was sunk by a mine off the Royal Sovereign Light Vessel, 18 January 1918. Buried in Kilrenny Parish Churchyard. “St. Abbs” West Forth Street, Cellardyke.” – Info From The Democracy of War
Elizabeth S Johnson, Queen Mary’s Auxiliary Corps 
Alexander Watson, Private Black watch 58 James Street Cellardyke
The Route
1. The Manse’ at the top of Toll road, down Toll Rd, along Fowler St to join Rodger St. By the beginning of Rodger St there were 10 people processing slowly down Ellice st along West Forth St, joined by a further 20-30 by Cellardyke church, down Tollbooth Wynd to Cellardyke Town Hall.
2. Cellardyke Harbour processing slowly along George St, and John St, joined by individuals from West Forth st (comimg down Urquhart Wynd) along to Cellardyke Town Hall
“Philip Oliphant Ray, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps (23) Son of the former minister of Cellardyke Parish Church, joined the Cameronians from Glasgow University where he was studying engineering. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the 8 Btn Black Watch. Joined RFC 59th Squadron and was shot down at Arras on 13 April 1917 by Baron von Richthofen’s squadron. The Manse, Toll Road, Cellardyke.” – Info From the Democracy of War
Dog tags
On arrival at Cellardyke Town hall each of the participants stepped up to the stage and stated the name of the Citizen they were representing, then handed their dog tag over to the Master of Ceremonies
“By 1915 the British Army requirement was to wear two official tags, both made of compressed fibre (more comfortable to wear in hot climates) and carrying identical details. These were again stamped a letter at a time. The two tags required stringing in a particular way. An eight-sided green tag with two holes was strung through one hole and hung around the neck. Through the second hole another much shorter cord was strung, which had a round red tag on it. This method allowed the red tag to be retrieved simply by cutting its short string, leaving the green tag still in place on the body. It meant that others subsequently finding a body with only a green tag would know that the death was already being reported. They could use the details on the green tag to prepare a grave marker.” (Imperial War Museum)
Order of Service In Cellardyke Town Hall
Welcome by Richard Wemyss
- Introduction from Kevin Dunion based on his book ‘The Democracy of War’
- The Naming of the Dead Silence ‘In Memoriam’ a poem by Ewart Alan Mackintosh (killed in action 21st November 1917 aged 24) read by Clive Russell
- Sergeant Mackenzie’s Lament written by Joseph Kilna Mackenzie in memory of his grandfather who died 9th April 1917 performed by Clive Gray and John Moncur and pipes by George Lorimer.
- Tea including Trench cake
- Walk to Cellardyke and Kilrenny War Memorial to lay wreaths
- A short ceremony was held Cellardyke War Memorial
David Corstorphine and Richard Wemyss – Photo Gemma Wycherley 
Eleanor Blair, Pam McAuslin and Catherine Wilson of St Ayle Church
Flowers and Foliage in the Wreath:-
- Forget me not
- Michaelmas Daisy – farewells
- Purple Scabious – pride
- Yarrow – war
- Lavender – virtue
- Willow – sadness
- Oak – bravery
- Yew – sorrow
- Rosemary – remembrance
- Fennel – strength
- Ferns – sincerity
- Ivy – friendship
- Bay – true
- Broom – humility
WW1 Trench Cake
The official recipe released by the government so the public can bake the traditional cake sent to soldiers in the trenches during the First World War. During the First World War people in Britain would bake and post a fruit cake to loved ones on the front line. Some traditional cake ingredients were hard to come by. Consequently there are no eggs in this recipe and vinegar was used to react with the baking soda to help the cake rise.
One Cake used one person’s weekly ration of margarine, sugar, and flour!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 lb flour (about 2 cups)
- 4 oz margarine
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/4 pint of milk
- 3 oz brown sugar
- 3 oz cleaned currants
- 2 teaspoons cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- grated lemon rind
Grease a cake tin.
Rub margarine into the flour in a basin.
Add the dry ingredients.
Mix well.
Add the soda dissolved in vinegar and milk.
Beat well.
Turn into the tin.
Bake in a moderate oven for about two hours.
Links
“The Democracy of War, Anstruther and Cellardyke in the First World War”
by Kevin Dunion, Published by The Kilrenny and Anstruther Burgh Collection
The Quiet Citizens Walk was developed by Sydney Clare Checkland to involve as many citizens of Cellardyke as possible and include every citizen known to have been lost from Cellardyke. It was a very poignant occasion
The origins of the idea came from Kevin Dunion and the Cellardyke Sea Queen Festival when one living history character represented a specific person lost from each of the services. Seven took part in the festival procession lead by an ex Falklands vetern. Army, Navy, Royal Flying Corps, Merchant Navy and Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and ex pats.
