James Cosmo and Phyllis Logan are among a group of leading Scots who will pay tribute to a church congregation which helped 50,000 troops during the First World War.

The men were shown hospitality at St Columba’s Church in London when they were travelling to or from the front between 1915 and 1919.

Most of them had never been to the city before and often had to wait 18 hours or more for connecting trains to Scotland.

World War 1 soldiers and church members
The hospitality of the congregation became famous on the front (Church of Scotland/PA)

Game Of Thrones star Cosmo and Downton Abbey’s Logan will take part in an event next month featuring readings and music to mark the efforts of the Church of Scotland members.

Actors David Robb and Gordon Kennedy as well as folk singer Isla St Clair will also take part.

Cosmo said: “The centenary of the Armistice will be an important time to reflect on the tragic losses in the First World War.

James Cosmo
Clydebank-born James Cosmo is one of the stars attending the event (Danny Lawson/PA)

“I am pleased to take part in this performance to mark the contribution of Scottish soldiers and the work of church volunteers to care for them.”

Congregation members looked out for soldiers at stations and took them back to the church for a wash, hot meals and entertainment, and gave them a room to sleep overnight.

World War 1 soldiers wasking
Soldiers welcomed the opportunity to clean up (Church of Scotland/PA)

St Columba’s became widely known throughout Scottish regiments at the front and among grateful families of soldiers who had been looked after.

But details of the effort only recently emerged after analysis of church magazines and archives.

The story is included in a new book which was recently launched by Princess Anne. Scots In Great War London marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict.

Princess Anne
The Princess Royal is the patron of the Scots in Great War London Group (Peter Byrne/PA)

St Columba’s minister Rev Angus MacLeod, whose family hail from the Isle of Skye, is one of the founders of the Scots In Great War London initiative.

The former military chaplain said: “The story of the wartime hospitality is such a remarkable one – amusing, poignant and inspiring – and we have always wanted to share it beyond our own walls.

St Columba's Church congregation members
Some of the congregation who helped the troops (Church of Scotland/PA)

“The ‘Feeding the 50,000’ performances will be a memorable and unique honouring of those who have prayed and served here before us.”

Feeding the 50,000 will take place during two events at St Columba’s Church in Knightsbridge on October 20 at 3pm and 7.30pm.