THIS week saw the end of British combat operations in Afghanistan, bringing an end to a 13 year campaign which claimed the lives of 453 UK soldiers.

As far as Britain is concerned the war is now over. The Afghans continue the fight against the Taliban largely on their own and have been dubbed ‘the Thin Blue Line’ At the weekend I joined my colleague Deputy Provost David Wilson and the council’s Veterans Champion Councillor Gerry Dorrian at a special ceremony to mark the 160th anniversary of the famous ‘Thin Red Line’ – where the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders earned their reputation as ‘The Fighting Highlanders’ at the Battle of Balaclava.

The single battalion stood alone between four squadrons of charging Russian cavalry and the undefended British base.

Not only did they hold steady, but for the first time in the history of the Army broke a large cavalry charge using musket fire alone without having been formed into a square.

The phrase ‘The Thin Red Line passed into folklore and was later referred to by Rudyard Kipling in his poem ‘Tommy’: Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ‘ow’s yer soul?” But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll.

It was an honour to join the local Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Association at the Wellpark Cenotaph – the first time the anniversary has been marked in this way.

Over the coming weeks and months there will be more ceremonies and more opportunities to pause and reflect on the sacrifices local people and families have made over the years to preserve our way of life – not least Armistice Day next month, coming 100 years since the start of the First World War.

The events in Afghanistan over recent years and the current conflicts in Syria and Iraq clearly demonstrate the need for professional, dedicated and determined armed forces personnel who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

We cannot underestimate the importance of the role they play.

The events of 1854 may seem a long time ago but the tradition they established continues to inspire today.