ON this day 100 years ago a radio signal was picked up in the North Sea that led to the destruction of the German U-Boat responsible for one of the most infamous attacks of the First World War.

The U-20 had gone to the aid of another submarine that had suffered mechanical failure off the Norwegian coast and both vessels found themselves hunted by the British Royal Navy.

After running aground, pictured, she was eventually scuttled by her crew to avoid capture.

Just six months earlier the U-20, under the command of Kapitanleutnant Walter Schwieger, had fired a single torpedo at Cunard liner the RMS Lusitania, which sank in just 18 minutes killing 1,198 people.

The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany.

It was a key factor in America becoming involved in the war the following year and played a crucial part in recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought.

When we cast our thoughts back to the First World War, the iconic images that fill our minds are of the mud, death and misery endured by troops in the trenches where so many members of our own communities fought and fell.

But we should also remember the sacrifices and heroism shown by so many at sea. A total of 44,000 naval sailors lost their lives and 15,000 merchant sailors were killed struggling to keep the sea lanes open and Britain supplied.

Of course Inverclyde is inextricably linked with Britain’s proud and historic seafaring tradition. Many ships were built on the Clyde and their crews would have spent time in our towns and villages before sailing to the four corners of the globe to serve their country and their communities.

This weekend I will be attending the first of this year’s Remembrance commemorations with a service in the Garden of Remembrance in Clyde Square on Saturday.

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 it was finally over.

We will remember them – and we will remember all those killed in conflicts around the world – on land, sea and in the air – as we continue to call on the men and women of our armed forces to stand in harm’s way to protect our freedoms.

But out thoughts also turn to friends and allies from overseas who stood should-to-shoulder with us. On Remembrance Sunday, I will be proud to stand with the French Consul on Lyle Hill as we remember the Free French Navy which made its home in Inverclyde during the Second World War.

It will also be the 70th anniversary of the Free French Memorial being unveiled.

And of course we must also remember the civilian lives lost in conflict, not least the Greenock Blitz that brought the frontline to our doorstep.

After paying my respects at the Garden of Remembrance Service on Saturday I will be laying a wreath at Greenock Cemetery to remember those killed when the German Luftwaffe attacked.

The Garden of Remembrance Service, in partnership with Poppy Scotland, takes place at 11am on Saturday, November 5 in Clyde Square, Greenock.

The annual observance of Remembrance across Inverclyde will take place on Sunday 13 November.

Port Glasgow: Cenotaph opposite Church Street - 12.30pm and The Toll Boys War Memorial, 5 Robert Street - 2.15 pm
Gourock: War Memorial, Albert Road - 12.15pm
Greenock: War Memorial, Wellpark - 12.45pm
Kilmacolm: War Memorial, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm - 12.30pm
Wemyss Bay: War Memorial, Pierhead, Wemyss Bay - Noon
Inverkip War Memorial, The Point, Inverkip - 12.15 pm