Leading figures from across Edinburgh have been given a glimpse of the potential offered by full fibre digital infrastructure – ahead of construction work beginning this autumn.
CityFibre is investing £100m into Edinburgh as part of a commitment to bring the gold-standard connectivity to cities up and down the UK. Working in partnership with Vodafone, the project will see almost every home and business able to access next-generation full fibre connectivity. The investment marks a major milestone in the UK’s ‘copper switchover’, with the government targeting full adoption across the country by 2033.
With Edinburgh among the first cities in the UK to benefit from a city-wide digital transformation, city leaders came together today (Thurs 4) to discover more about the project – and give their input on how it can catapult Edinburgh into a leadership position as one of the best connected cities in the world.
Joined by representatives of The City of Edinburgh Council, Vodafone and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, CityFibre updated guests on the progress being made in the project and what the ultrafast network will help deliver for the city – from greater innovation and productivity to increased inward investment. Vodafone also gave attendees an overview of the next generation services they will be offering to consumers from spring next year.
In total, more than 50 stakeholders – including key council officers, elected members, business leaders, economic development groups and figures from the education, property and third sectors – were present at the special event at the Doubletree by Hilton on Bread Street.
Elaine Doherty, CityFibre’s City Development Manager for Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh is firmly established as a digital city, and this network will allow businesses to compete on a global stage while also ensuring that households can share in the benefits. Full fibre will change the way we work, learn and play and for Edinburgh to be at the forefront of this digital future is something worth celebrating.”
Guests at the event heard from Councillor Adam McVey, Leader of The City of Edinburgh Council and a strong proponent of the ‘fibre to the premises’ project in Scotland’s capital.
L-R: Guilhem Poussot, Head of Vodafone Gigafast Broadband, Vodafone UK, Elaine Doherty, CityFibre’s City Development Manager for Edinburgh and Councillor Adam McVey, Leader of The City of Edinburgh Council.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “As a city, we’re already very well connected but CityFibre’s investment will provide the infrastructure required to give thousands of households and businesses across Edinburgh access to ultrafast broadband.
“Some schools, libraries and other community facilities are already experiencing the benefits of greater connectivity but this investment will allow residents to enjoy a better digital experience in their own homes. It was great to hear more about the roll out at today’s event. We’ll work closely with CityFibre to ensure it is as smooth as it can be and that everyone is kept fully up-to-date with their plans.”
Vodafone will use CityFibre’s network to bring Vodafone Gigafast Broadband to residential customers in Edinburgh.
Guilhem Poussot, Head of Vodafone Gigafast Broadband, Vodafone UK, said: “By using only a full fibre network infrastructure, Vodafone Gigafast Broadband will help people living, working and visiting Edinburgh break free from the shackles of their old, copper line broadband connections. We’re bringing best-in-class, gigabit-capable broadband services to the city from spring next year, equipping homes and businesses for the future.”
To find out more about Vodafone Gigafast Broadband and to register your interest visit: www.vodafone.co.uk/gigafast
To find out more about CityFibre’s Gigabit City vision for Edinburgh visit: www.cityfibre.com/edinburgh
DM Hall, one of Scotland’s leading independent firms of chartered surveyors, has appointed Kerry Boyle as a Business Sales Agent. She will be based in the firm’s Edinburgh office.
With a background both in finance at Bank of Scotland and in property management, Kerry comes highly experienced for her new role which includes securing business sales opportunities for DM Hall’s surveying team throughout Scotland.
She said: “In my previous role at Countrywide estate agents’ Glasgow West End branch I was solely responsible for managing a complex portfolio of over 300 properties that required me to build strong client relationships and to deliver successfully an efficient service to my new client base. I intend to bring that quality to my new role at DM Hall.
“I enjoy also raising funds for various charities, such as Spirit Aid in Glasgow, and look forward to participating to doing the same with the DM Hall team.”
Before joining her previous employer, Kerry worked in business transfer roles with auction sales businesses Jacob and Jones and Future Property Auctions.
Commercial Director for DM Hall Edinburgh, Roy Hudghton said: “Developing business sales opportunities is a vital element in our professional offering to Scotland’s commercial property market and I am sure that Kerry’s experience will be critical in her making a success of her new role.
“We warmly welcome her to the DM Hall team”.
Royal Mail and Vue Cinema Group have become the first businesses to be nominated and recognised by members of the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group (SAITG) for their outstanding efforts in the battle against the trade of fake goods.
The private ceremony on Thursday 4 October at Fountain Park Cineworld in Edinburgh
saw members of SAITG, HMRC, Police Scotland and representatives from Vue and Cineworld come together to celebrate Royal Mail and Vue Cinema Group receiving their awards from Scotland’s Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf MSP.
Royal Mail has been instrumental in assisting HMRC identify the trade of millions of illicit cigarettes in Scotland, allowing effective interventions by HMRC.
Vue Cinema trained staff in identifying suspicious circumstances and customers, and assisted with the high-profile conviction of a man caught filming T2 Trainspotting at Glasgow Fort Vue Cinema earlier this year.
Speaking at the event, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf MSP, said: “The trade in illicit and counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. It has a detrimental impact on legitimate businesses and can pose a serious risk to the health and safety of everyone who thinks they are getting a bargain.
“I very much welcome the contribution that the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group makes to the implementation of Scotland’s serious organised crime strategy and congratulate both recipients on today’s awards.
“Working collaboratively with partner agencies, the private sector and with the public assisting, the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce is determined to disrupt this illegal trade and reduce the harm it causes.”
Chaired by one of Mr Yousaf’s predecessors as Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, the SAITG brings together experts from both public and private sectors with the aim of reducing the scale, impact and cost of illegal trade across Scotland.
Mr MacAskill believes that for authorities to succeed in reducing the harmful counterfeit trade, there must be even greater cooperation with businesses and the general public.
He said: “Illicit trade and counterfeit goods harm our economy and our society. Tackling them is about protecting the quality associated with Scotland and the tax paying jobs that go with it.
“It’s all about our business, not just law enforcement, which is why these actions matter.
“Those being rightly praised for outstanding work today have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their actions were innovative and resourceful and are understandably commended for that.
“They’ve protected valuable jobs and businesses that pay their taxes and insurance. Our communities are better and safer places as a result.”
As counterfeit goods tend to be substandard they can pose a risk to the public. This is particularly true in respect of counterfeit electrical equipment, toys, cigarettes/tobacco, and alcohol products.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) working with OECD found that up to 4% of UK imports in 2013 were counterfeit, this implies up to £500million worth of counterfeit goods were imported into the Scottish economy in 2013.
Operation SALANG was a multiagency operation coordinated by Police Scotland to disrupt and deter those involved in illicit trade and saw over £31million counterfeit products seized in Scotland between 2013 and 2016.
Roddy Fullarton, Investigation Manager from Royal Mail said: “We are delighted to be receiving this award along with our partners, who we work closely with. Royal Mail takes the security of the mail and the postal service very seriously indeed and we will do everything in our power to protect it.”
Simon York, Director, HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, said: “The trade in illicit cigarettes damages funding for essential public services and undermines legitimate traders.
“In Scotland, Royal Mail has been instrumental in helping HMRC tackle the importation of illegal tobacco.
“This liaison has led to a greater awareness amongst postal depot managers and staff on how we can work together to tackle this menace.”
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE, President of Film Distributors’ Association, said: “The cinema offers a uniquely immersive, digital entertainment experience.
“The creative industries as a whole are worth 5% of the UK’s economy, while the film industry plays an essential role in shaping how we are seen around the world.
“All piracy does is line the pockets of criminals, often serious, organised criminals, who invest nothing at all in the production and distribution of the films concerned – they just diminish their value by ripping them off.
“So vigilance in screenings is extremely important, and on behalf of Film Distributors’ Association I’m delighted to congratulate and thank today’s award recipients.”
The SAITG was formed by SBRC, which works towards building a safe, strong and resilient country in which to live, work, visit and do business.
For more information on the SBRC and its range of services, visit www.sbrcentre.co.uk.
The SBRC is a non-profit organisation which exists to support and help protect Scottish businesses. With a unique connection to Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a strong relationship with Scottish Government, SBRC provide the very best advice to keep businesses of all sizes free from risk.
-Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) could lower need for private vehicle-use, allowing cities to reclaim up to 80% of parking space and tackle the spiralling cost of congestion
-Size of reclaimed land equivalent to more than 1,300 football pitches, or the space needed for 17,000 new homes
-But CAV success dependent on effective integration with existing city networks – there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach
The push towards introducing driverless vehicles in the UK will have a significant impact on the shape of our cities, potentially freeing up over 1,100 hectares of land in Edinburgh alone – the equivalent of more than 1,300 football pitches or enough space to accommodate the equivalent of 17,000 much-needed new homes across the Scottish capital.
These figures are according to design and consultancy firm Arcadis, whose latest Citizens in Motion report explores the disruptive influence that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) will have on cities and their inhabitants around the world. With Arcadis estimating that a CAV revolution could allow for the reclamation of up to 80% of space currently allocated to car parking in every city[i], there is a unique window of opportunity for local authorities and major developers to consider how their cities can best adapt now to exploit the potential benefits of driverless technology in the future.
In Edinburgh, congestion in the city is estimated to cost £309m every year and, with the Scottish capital’s population expected to grow by 20% (595,000) by 2039, the strain on city infrastructure is only set to increase. It is broadly accepted that increasingly intelligent CAV systems will be electric. With 21% of buses in Edinburgh already hybrid or low-emission vehicles and Edinburgh accounting for more than 23% of all Electric Vehicles in Scotland, there is significant potential for automated technology to play a greater role in helping to move people around the city, take more vehicles off the road and free-up space for alternative uses.
Crucially however, the Arcadis report recognises that every city has its own dynamic and, to be successful, driverless vehicles will need to be integrated with and work alongside the existing network. In Edinburgh, where the focus is on cleaner, safer and more inclusive transport systems, this means working with government to adopt a positive regulatory strategy that engages with providers will be essential if the benefits of CAV are to be realised and work in parallel with Edinburgh’s wider mobility objectives.
Edinburgh aims to become the data capital of Europe, yet currently there are no policies at country or local level to incentivise CAV. For new and emergent CAV technologies to be accepted by Edinburgh’s citizens, pilots will need to be tailored with a view first and foremost on customer needs, experience and value.
As Graham Hill, Arcadis Cities Executive for Scotland, said:
“While the proliferation of driverless technology is inevitable, what isn’t yet clear is what shape it will take in Edinburgh. CAV offers great potential, but in Edinburgh it is crucial that the new technology is deployed in a complementary manner that helps to reduce congestion rather than adding to it. CAV is an exciting prospect, and we have the opportunity here to be on the front-foot. From building CAV into the city planning process, to incentivisation, regulation and licensing, true success will only come if we can recognise and respond proactively to CAV disruption in a way that works specifically for Edinburgh and – most importantly – its citizens.”
George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said:
“CAV will inevitably have an impact on Edinburgh’s integrated transport network, and it’s essential that we give careful thought now as to what that will mean for the city and those who live, work, study and visit. We’ll be continuing to monitor the emerging technology, possible applications and opportunities, to ensure that the potential benefits of CAV can be realised in the best way for everyone.”
Dr Alastair McInroy, Senior Programme Manager at MaaS Scotland, a partnership between Technology Scotland and ScotlandIS, added:
“The process by which we integrate Connected and Autonomous Vehicles into our urban environments will be critical in ensuring that their benefits are realised by all of those resident in our cities. Combining CAV delivery with data driven innovation and the development of new delivery models, such as Mobility as a Service, will accelerate the provision of convenient and accessible services for all. This will not only allow personalisation of service but ensure that transport delivery aligns with broader city strategies on health, the environment and social inclusivity.”
Visit www.arcadis.com/cav to download a copy of the full report.
The Times together with Royal Bank of Scotland, FWB Park Brown and Dell Technologies have partnered to launch a competition to identify and support the next generation of financial technology pioneers in Scotland.
With a prize fund totalling £125,000 on offer, the project aims to encourage and reward world-class ideas in financial technology innovation. The fund will be shared between winners and runners-up in two categories.
The “Blue Sky” Fintech Award is aimed at early-stage financial technology businesses or individuals with new ideas. Open to pre-revenue companies trading for less than a year, entries will be judged on originality and innovation and on their potential market impact.
The winner of this category will receive a prize of £10,000, with £5,000 for the runner up. The third placed entry will feature in a special article on the competition in The Times and will be offered a place in the Royal Bank Accelerator programme .
The “PowerUp” Fintech Award is for financial technology companies that have been trading for less than three years. Applicants should be at minimum viable product (MVP) stage onwards and judging will be based on originality and innovation as well as on validation and traction.
The winner of this category will receive a prize of £80,000, with £20,000 for the runner up and £10,000 for the third placed entry. All six finalists will feature in the Times article and will have a place on the Accelerator programme.
To enter, visit the competition website (www.timesfintechcompetition.scot ) where you will be asked to complete a short application form, providing your personal details and information about your company, including its registration and start dates.
You will also be asked to provide a 150-word summary of what you or your business does and to upload a three-minute video pitch. Your video will be required to explain:
-What you or your business does.
-How you do it.
-Who your customers are.
-What traction or validation you have gained so far.
-Why you believe you and your team can deliver on its goals.
-What you think makes you different from the competition.
Please keep your pitch to three minutes or less – judges will stop watching after 180 seconds and any material included after this deadline will not be considered.
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts chaired by Louise Smith, Head of Digitisation, Personal and Business Banking at the Royal Bank of Scotland with representatives from The Times Scotland, FWB Park Brown, Dell and Fintech Scotland. After selecting three finalists from each category and doing due diligence on each, a final line-up will be announced.
Finalists will be asked to attend a dragons’ den-style pitching event at the Royal Bank’s headquarters at Gogarburn, Midlothian on Monday, October 29th. To be eligible to enter, candidates must commit to being available to attend the pitching event which starts at 5pm.
Finalists will be asked to deliver a live, three-minute pitch of their idea or business to a panel of judges chaired by Louise Smith, Head of Simplification & Digitisation at Royal Bank and including Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at the Royal Bank, Greig Cameron, Business Editor at The Times Scotland, Adam Brown of FWB Park Brown, Steven Ingledew of Fintech Scotland, Craig Reid of Dell Technologies and Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE, the Olympic gold medal winning former captain of the Great Britain women’s hockey team.
Judges will make their decision on the night and the winners will be announced.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/static/fintech-competition-win-scottish-financial-technology-innovators/
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) will be hosting their latest finance conference at the Crieff Hydro Hotel. Capital Document Solutions is delighted to be exhibiting on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th November.
We will be exhibiting at Stand 11.
Sarah Smith, one of our Professional Services Consultants will be offering advice on the latest advances in office technology.
One of our Service Delivery Managers for the Public Sector, Nicola Love, will also be at our stand. You can speak to her for advice about the Scottish Procurement Framework.
About Capital Document Solutions
We are Scotland’s largest independent dealer of photocopiers, printers and scanners.
Capital is a past winner of the Government Opportunities Award for ‘Best Service to the Public Sector’. We are honoured to be shortlisted this year as a finalist for this prestigious GO Award.
As a Scottish Procurement Framework for Office Equipment supplier, many housing associations benefit from its preferential terms.
We supply and service leading hardware brands including Konica Minolta, Ricoh and HP. We also supply a choice of Print Management and Laserfiche electronic content management software.
Visit our stand and find out how we can help you with the very latest technology and in improving your document processes. Learn more about data security and also how to reduce your impact on the environment.
Capital reveals the latest technology at the conference
Capital is a Commercial Associate Member of the SFHA.
Attending the finance conference gives you the chance to network with various housing associations, and also those associated with them. It’s your chance to learn about the industry trends.
The way housing associations do business is changing like never before. Technology and innovation, as well as legislative changes, means day-to-day work is evolving. How can we help you make sure you can adapt to these changes?
We have four decades of experience operating across the Scottish public and also private sectors.
We are passionately committed to providing clients sound, professional advice with first class products and second-to-none after sales support. With our many branches located throughout Scotland we are well placed to service the Scottish market.
Capital provides office hardware and also support services to all Scottish public sector bodies – not just housing associations.
So for more information on the SFHA Finance Conference and Exhibition visit their website.
Finally, feel free to download our Guide to Purchasing Office Equipment and Print Management Solutions.
Commenting on Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech at the Conservative Party conference, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
On the PM’s support for business:
“Business communities across the country have been dismayed by the tone of politics in recent months, and the sidelining of their very real concerns. They will be reassured by the Prime Minister’s firm pledge to back business. However, warm words are not enough, and businesses expect concrete measures in the Budget and beyond to fix the fundamentals here at home, and underpin future competitiveness, productivity, and prosperity.
On the post-Brexit immigration plans:
“Businesses have real concerns about the Prime Minister’s plans for the UK’s future immigration policy. Our firms face record high skills shortages at all levels. Immigration policy cannot be just about the best and brightest – companies must be able to access the skills and talent they require if they are unable to train or hire in the UK.
“There are skills shortages in every sector across the country, and the Prime Minister’s proposed approach risks hurting industries such as care, hospitality, retail, and agriculture. The test of the government’s new immigration rules will be whether they let businesses access skills and talent quickly and easily when companies can demonstrate that they have been unable to hire or train the people they need here in the UK, and to do so without increased red tape and bureaucracy.
On Brexit:
“Firms will judge the Government on the clarity they provide on the real-world questions around Brexit, and whether the UK will avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU. Firms will be relieved that the Prime Minister views no deal as a bad outcome – but clarity and precision is required urgently if businesses and our communities are to thrive in the months and years to come.”
Winton Castle in East Lothian was chosen as one of three events venues by Spectra, the leading UK destination management company, for the biggest incentive event to come to Edinburgh this summer. 1400 US visitors experienced true ‘estate activities’ across three events venues, Hopetoun House, Dundas Castle and Winton Castle.
Welcomed to Winton Castle by the skirl of the bagpipes, the American guests let their hair down in the gardens and grounds surrounding the Scottish Renaissance castle. Around 250 top executives from an American insurance company had come to experience a morning of Scottish Estate Activities followed by a barbecue and hog roast.
The visitors could try their hand at or enjoy watching clay pigeon shooting, air rifle target shooting, fly casting, archery, falconry, bush craft, men at arms and off-road 4 x 4 driving.
“We were thrilled to be chosen to work with Spectra on such a big incentive event, bringing valuable business tourism to Edinburgh,” says Julie Britee from Winton Castle. “It was really important that the top executives could experience a great mix of Scottish estate activities without having to travel far out of Edinburgh – Winton Estate is just half an hour from the city centre.
“Spectra’s clients also chose Winton because it’s a Scottish castle, as well as an exclusive use venue not open to the public.”
Winton’s beautiful walled garden was the scene for many of the activities including the medieval bush craft demonstrations, while the clay shooting with Billy Gordon, 24 times Scottish clay champion, took place out in the woods. The Landrover off-road driving was experienced on Winton’s 4 x 4 course, originally designed for the press launch of the highly successful Jeep Renegade.
A barbecue and hog roast were served up on the croquet lawn for lunch, and bars revived participants with local brews from Edinburgh Gin, Knops Brewery and Innis & Gunn.
Tours were laid on so that visitors could hear about the castle’s rich history and its connections to the powerful Seton family, Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the Elgin Marbles. Visitors had an opportunity to see the Scottish Renaissance embellishments like the elaborate plaster ceilings and carved, twisted chimneys, as well as the masterpieces hanging on the walls.
Despite its age, the castle is beautifully cared for, reflecting that it is still the family home of Sir Francis and Lady Ogilvy and their four children.
Read more on the Winton Castle website [ https://www.wintoncastle.co.uk/ ]
A swimming charity challenge, which raised money to give local nursery school pupils affected by poverty the chance to learn to swim, an opportunity that many of these children might not have had, has won a major fundraising award.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Jump In Swim challenge was presented with the Best Use of Event or Community Fundraising Initiative at the Scottish Fundraising Awards 2018, which were held in Glasgow on 2 October 2018.
The awards aim to recognise and reward excellence in fundraising and celebrate the achievements of those who are building and leading charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
The Jump In Swim Challenge, was Edinburgh Leisure’s first ever public fundraiser and launched on 1 September 2017. The challenge raised £26,409 and has helped 508 nursery children affected by poverty learn to swim.
Zoe Mobey, Head of Fundraising said: “It’s a real honour to have our Jump In Swim Challenge recognised as an example of fundraising excellence and we are very proud fundraisers.
“The Jump In Swim Challenge was a great platform to increase awareness of our charitable work. We’re so grateful to everyone who got involved and blown away by their generosity, which has meant that 508 nursery children, affected by poverty, have had the chance to learn to swim.
“Swimming can have a really positive effect on effect on an individual’s mental wellbeing, with additional wider social benefits including better educational attainment and improved confidence. Yet despite these great benefits, 40% of Scotland’s children leave primary school unable to swim. This number increases significantly in areas of deprivation, which is poignant when more than one child in every five living in Edinburgh is affected by poverty.”
The Jump In Swim Challenge offered a charity event for everyone including the public, Edinburgh Leisure’s customers, staff and their members to join in. Swimmers who signed up had the choice to swim 5 or 10km in Edinburgh Leisure pools between the 1-30 of September 2017. For those looking to be a little bit more adventurous, they could take on the 10×10 Challenge and swim their 10km across Edinburgh Leisure’s 10 pools over the course of September.
In total, 211 swimmers took part raising £26,408.55 which went directly towards giving every child in Edinburgh the chance to learn to swim.
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They do that by running over 30 sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of around 7,954 people each year affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities and disabilities. Every penny their customers spend with them is used to further their work and their Active Communities programme, which relies on fundraising to help them reach more people that need their help.
FOR Rita Armin, the whereabouts of her Grandfather’s grave after he died fighting in World War One remained a 100-year-old mystery which her family had given up on solving.
But thanks to a chance encounter with a Virgin Trains employee, Mrs Armin was able to piece together the final resting place of the man she never met.
While travelling to London on a Virgin train from Stockport to Euston, the 85-year-old was assisted on her journey by Train Manager Wayne McDonald who just happened to be a war enthusiast.
The pensioner, who is a member of the War Widow’s Association, was on her way to Buckingham Palace for a reception to mark Prince Charles’ 70th birthday. Her husband, Corporal Henry Armin of the Royal Engineers (Airborne), died of the injuries he sustained in World War Two.
As Mrs Armin and Mr McDonald got chatting on the two-hour journey and it transpired that the family had been unable to find out where her Grandfather, Private Thomas Bryan of the 2nd Ox and Bucks Regiment, was buried since his death during the Great War in 1915.
She explained: “My Grandma used to talk about him fighting in France in the First World War, and she never saw him again after he left home to fight in his best suit.
“All she received after he died was a parcel with his suit in, full of French clay. This story had stayed with me, even though I was only a little girl when she talked about it.”
She asked Mr McDonald if he could anything to help find out the full story as he had an interest in the history of the conflict. As they parted ways, Mrs Armin thought it was unlikely she would hear from the train employee again.
“I had tried previously but there were so many names the same as my Grandad, that I gave up,” she said. “I gave Wayne as much detail as possible and he said he would come back to me if he found anything.
“A few days later I received an e-mail from Wayne with the most amazing information that he had tracked down the location of my Grandad’s grave.
But Mr McDonald also discovered more surprising information: “Grandad had died in France, but unbeknown to me he was actually my Step-Grandad,” she explained.
“Grandma had married again after her first husband had died, leaving her with five children the youngest being my father.”
“Never, in a million years, did I expect to receive all that lost information about my paternal Granddad. For years I have wondered what he was like, where his remains are. I am so grateful to Wayne, I’m having difficulty in expressing the words to thank him.”
Not only this, but Mr McDonald visited Béthune Town Cemetery where Private Bryan was buried to pay his respects and take a photograph of the burial site for Mrs Armin.
Mr McDonald, who describes himself as an amateur war researcher, found the grave with the help of some old census data and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, ahead of his visit to the cemetery in Northern France.
He said: “It was fascinating listen to Rita’s family stories and an absolute privilege to help solve the mystery of what happened to Thomas.”
