A RETIRED army captain went on a special visit to meet Greenock pensioners as part of the First World war anniversary commemorations.

Frankie Caldwell MBE, a retired Royal Tank Regiment captain, visited Bagatelle and Glenfield care homes to speak about the conflict between 1914 and 1918 which left 17 million soldiers and civilians dead.

During his captivating talks, Frankie reflected on the conflict and how it compares to modern day warfare.

He told the Tele: “Greenock Medical Aid Society wanted to mark the centenary of the First World War by organising a couple of events.

“So I went along to speak about World War One and how things have transformed to modern day.

“I also talked about what the families of the soldiers went through back then and today.” The 50-year-old, who lives in Inverkip with his 14-year-old identical twin daughters Lucy and Olivia and his wife Kelly, joined the army as a private 27 years ago and served in numerous countries including Cyprus, Germany, Canada and Iraq.

He also received an MBE for his service to the military.

Margaret McCallum, 90, a resident at Glenfield, said the talk brought back memories of her father, John Faulds Martin, who fought in France and Belgium.

She said: “The talk was very interesting as my father survived the war.

“I wasn’t born during the First World War but I lived through the Second World War and I can remember finding it difficult to study as it was so noisy with the night bombing in Greenock.” Charles Young, chief executive of the medical aid society which runs the two care homes, says Margaret is one of many residents who had family serving during the conflict.

He said: “I think it’s a wonderful gesture for Frankie to come in and talk to the residents.

“We always say that we will never forget and this is one tangible way that we can demonstrate and truly mean that.”