INVERCLYDE Council will mark the 85th anniversary of the Greenock Blitz which takes place next year.
It will be organised to mark the anniversary of the tragic events of 6 and 7 May 1941 when the Luftwaffe bombs rained down on the town during World War Two.
During the attack on Inverclyde, 346 people died, more than 10,000 individuals were injured, and thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged.
A motion put forward by Councillor Graeme Brooks and seconded by Councillor Francesca Brennan calling for a commemoration was unanimously agreed by councillors.
It was agreed that up to £10,000 will be made available towards supporting an appropriate event to mark the anniversary.
Councillor Brooks, who is also depute provost and the council’s armed forces champion, said: “As time goes on and we lose the people and places most affected by the Greenock Blitz, these anniversaries become more significant and it’s vital that we do all we can to remember those who have died, were injured, or whose lives were impacted by these attacks on our towns and villages.
“While the bombings were largely concentrated on Greenock, other parts of Inverclyde were also affected either directly or indirectly so the commemoration is very much for people from across Inverclyde to take part in the commemoration.”
Councillor Brennan said: “The Greenock Blitz was a significant moment in our local and national history and had a profound impact on people right across Inverclyde so we must ensure that we take time to reflect on the horrific events of May 1941 and ensure that we never see the likes again.
“A commemoration will allow the people of Greenock and across Inverclyde to pay their respects to relatives who died or were injured and, as people did in 1941 and at tough times ever since, harness our wonderful Inverclyde community spirit to unite against the causes and devastation of war.”
