FALLEN ARE STILL IN OUR HEARTS BY CHRISSY HARRIS Leicester Mercury 26 September 2005 They stood in silence, surrounded by the graves of thousands of young men. More than 30 members of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment travelled to a cemetery in northern France to remember those who gave their lives in the Battle of Loos in 1915. Members of the regiment, known as the Tigers, were among more than 100 veterans and young soldiers from across Europe who gathered to mark the 90th anniversary of the First World War battle on Sunday. The ceremony at Loos British Cemetery was part of a weekend of commemoration, remembrance and reflection organised at sites across France, which had seen some of the bloodiest fighting in 1915. The event came nearly a year after the Leicester Mercury won a campaign to stop part of the Loos battlefield from being turned into a dumping ground. More than 1,000 readers, backed by politicians and Euro MPs, called for an end to the dumping at the site near the town of Auchy les Mines. Leicestershire Tigers and organisers of the weekend commemorations said the event showed the people of the Loos and Auchy just how important it was to preserve the historic site. Richard Lane, regimental historian for the Tigers, said: "For some reason, Loos is always thought of as the forgotten battle. "The events and parades this weekend should show how strongly the British people feel about this place and why there was so much outrage last year." Cis Keightley, 75, of Melton, brought his family to the 90th anniversary services, where her father Bill was injured. Bill was 21 when he lost both his legs after he went over the top of the trenches into a hail of machine-gun fire. Mr Keightley said: "It's truly humbling to see all the graves. It makes you stop and think a bit. "It is great that we have all been able to come here and show how important it is for people to remember this battle. There won't be another chance to do something like this." As well as the ceremony in the Loos British cemetery, the weekend's highlights included a military parade through Auchy les Mines, and a moving display by the London Scottish Pipes and Drums Regiment. On Saturday, the great-grandson of a piper who played the bagpipes to encourage his comrades attacking the German frontline came to Loos. Kevin Laidlaw re-enacted his ancestor Daniel's actions which had won the King's Own Scottish Borderers piper the Victoria Cross. For Peter Kellett, 88, of Aylestone, Leicester, the trip to France marked a lifetime's ambition. He said: "My brothers-in-law, Alan Birkett and Kenneth Draycott, both fought at Loos and survived. "They passed away a long time ago, but I have always said that I would come here and wear their cap badge in honour of them. "I won't get another chance, so to come on this weekend has been absolutely marvellous." Les Harris, 74, of Melton, also came on the trip.He said: "To see all those gravestones of all those men really puts things into perspective. "I have never been to France in my life, but I am so grateful I could come and see this." Tigers veteran Edward Wood, 67, of Shepshed, said: "It has been brilliant. I haven't been abroad since I was demobbed in 1958, so this is a wonderful experience for me. They have really put a good show on." As well as the military parades through Loos and Auchy les Mines by Leicestershire Tigers and members of 13 other regiments, French and British officials spoke of the importance of remembering the battle. Clive Alderton, consul general in Lille, said: "This has been a show of the strong link between our two countries. Loos still clearly remembers what happened here 90 years ago." The Mayor of Auchy, Jean Clarisse, who was bombarded with letters of protest from Mercury readers when it was revealed that part of the Loos battlefield was being dumped on, gave a speech at the parade in the town on Sunday. He said: "This is a memorable day for this small town. Auchy is very happy and proud to welcome people from the Battle of Loos. So many people lost husbands, fathers and sons. These dead men are still here in our military cemeteries, in our memories and in our hearts." Peter Last, of the Western Front Association, a charity which looks at the history of the First World War, organised the anniversary event. He said: "It has been a successful bridge-building exercise. By putting on a big display, we have been able to show the mayor and other French officials how important the memory of Loos is to the people of Britain."