A new armed services memorial, the first of its kind in Britain, will be unveiled in Glasgow tomorrow by Lord Provost Bob Winter.

The monument, at Knightswood Cross, honours Glasgow veterans from all armed forces and conflicts.

It is unique in that it is dedicated to all servicemen – living and dead – from past, present and future conflicts.

The Celtic cross features the seals of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Merchant Navy.

Tomorrow’s ceremony coincides with the 65th anniversary of VE Day, the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces in 1945 which ended the Second World War in Europe.

Funds for the memorial were raised by Knightswood resident Terry McCourt, who is a member of the Parachute Regimental Association.

Mr McCourt said: “Our volunteers got special permission from Glasgow City Council to collect money in Sauchiehall Street once a month. Over two years they managed to raise £15,000.

“The council donated £10,000 of labour and materials to clear the ground and landscape the surrounding area.”

A sense of military duty runs in Mr McCourt’s family. His father fought in the Second World War with the Cameronians and Terry himself served with the Parachute Regiment.

Eldest son Terry junior, 27, is a corporal in the Parachute Regiment.

Mr McCourt added: “We have had great support from Councillor Jonathan Findlay, and from Derek Johnstone at Co-op monumental sculptors, who made the 13.5ft Celtic cross.”

Colonel Bobby Steele, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers museum in Sauchiehall Street, said: “It’s a great credit to the Glasgow public who dug their hands in their pockets to donate the funds.”