The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[David McNay]

UKNIWM Ref: 13356

Situated at the Gordon Street entrance to the station.

I've passed this a few times but never had a chance to get a photo. I've always been there at rush hour when it's not convenient.

IMG_3483 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

[David McNay]

The inscription at the top, which I neglected to photograph, reads as follows:

TO THE HONOURED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918

Some closeups of the names. My batteries were running low on the camera so these pictures were rushed. I'll try and get better pictures later.

IMG_3484 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

IMG_3485 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

IMG_3486 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

Below the memorial is a small plaque commemorating the dead of the Second World War.

IMG_3487 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

[Adam Brown]

The Second World War plaque has a clue to its date. Railtrack's short but troubled existence was from 1994 to 2002.

It makes you wonder why it took at least fifty years to add this memorial?

The Caledonian Railway had lines running out of Glasgow to Edinburgh, Carlisle, Oban, Perth, Peebles and was in competition with the Glasgow & South Western Railway. In 1923 both became part of LMS Railway along with one other Scottish railway comany, the Highland Railway

Adam

[Harry Flashman V.C.]

I was up stopping in Glasgow for a few days last month and was waitng for a mate near that memorial.

Also to the right of the memorial there is a very large collection box made out of howitzer shells for the "Womens Auxillary Service" (I think)

I remember it being there in the early 1990's

Sorry no photo but will get one next time i'm in Glasgow.

[Adam Brown]

David

Can you check the original images for this memorial to see if there is a Thomas Coleman listed?

Thanks

Adam

[David McNay]

No Thomas Coleman listed.

[dalblair]

Blairgowrie Advertiser Saturday 19th November 1921

A memorial to the 706 employees of the Caledonian Railway Company who fell in the war was unveiled at the Central station,Glasgow on Tuesday.

[DelBoy]

McRae, Duncan

(Glasgow Herald 25th May 1915)
"Private D. McRae, 5th Battalion Royal Scots, has died of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles on May 16. He was a member of the Service Company of the Queen's Edinburgh which participated in the Boer War. He leaves a widow and four children. When war broke out he was employed by the Caldeonian Railway Company."

CWCG
McRAE, DUNCAN RODERICK
Rank: Private
Service No: 2272
Date of Death: 12/05/1915
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots 5th Bn. (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles)
Panel Reference: Panel 26 to 30.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

SNWM
Surname: McRAE
Firstname: Duncan Roderick
Service Number: 2272
Date Death: 12/05/1915
Place of birth: Edinburgh
Other: 5th Bn.
SNWM roll: THE ROYAL SCOTS (LOTHIAN REGIMENT)
Rank: Pte
Theatre of death: Gallipoli.

[David McNay]

The plaque for the Second World War has been replaced and now includes reference to those killed in subsequent conflicts.

20131028_081503 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

20131025_163652 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

[DelBoy]

Transcription here.

Derek.

[DelBoy]

Sargent, William

Also rememberd on Motherwell memorial.

(24th November 1916 Motherwell Times)
"Official word has been received that Pte. William Sargent, Cameron Highlanders, has been killed in action on 31st October. He resided with Mrs Low, Chassels Place, Roman Road, and enlisted in June, 1915. He was previously employed as a fireman on the Caledonian Railway."

SARGENT, WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Service No: S/18708
Date of Death: 31/10/1916
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders 7th Bn.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 15 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Sargent, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire.

[DelBoy]

Fisher, William

Also rememberd on Motherwell memorial.

(11th July 1916 Motherwell Times)
"Mrs Fisher, 5 Annfield Place, has received official intimation, of the death in action in France on 1st July of her son, Private Wm. Fisher, Gordon Highlanders. Pte. Fisher was 20 years of age, and previous to joining the army he was employed as a fireman with the Caledonian Railway Co. Three brothers of the deceased are on service with the colours."

FISHER, W
Rank: Private
Service No: S/2548
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: Sp. Mem. B. 44.
Cemetery: GORDON CEMETERY, MAMETZ

[DelBoy]

Russell, John L.

Also rememberd on Motherwell memorial.

(6th October 1916 Motherwell Times)
"Private John Lee Russell, H.L.I., attached to Royal Scots, who was precviously posted missing on June 28, 1915, at the Dardanelles, is now officially presumed to have been killed on that day. His married sister, Mrs Gourlay, resides at 78 Airbles Street. Previous to enlisting he was employed at the local Railway Goods Station."

RUSSELL, JOHN LEE
Rank: Private
Service No: 7626
Date of Death: 28/06/1915
Age: 32
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry 8th Bn. attd. 1st/7th Bn. Royal Scots
Panel Reference: Panel 173 to 177.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of the late Thomas Russell, of Inches, Douglas, Lanarkshire; husband of Mary Renwick Russell, of Post Office Buildings, Braidwood, Lanarkshire.

[DelBoy]

Martin, Thomas

Also remembered on Langholm memorial

(16th November 1917 Motherwell Times)
"Mrs Beattie, 17 Princess Street, has received wotd from the War Office of the death of Corporal Tom Martin, Scottish Rifles. He was wounded on the 20th and died on the 29th September. Before enlisting he was employed by the Caledonian Railway Coy."

MARTIN, T
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 43380
Date of Death: 29/09/1917
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 9th Bn.
Grave Reference: II. D. 5.
Cemetery: NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. J. Martin, of 54, Factory Entry, Langholm, Dumfriesshire.

[DelBoy]

Casey, Bernard

Also rememberd on Motherwell memorial.

(4th June 1915 Motherwell Times)
"Mrs Casey, 152 Merry Street, has received intimation from a chaplain at the front that her husband, Private Bernard Casey, 3rd Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action on May 16th. A Reservist, he was employed by the Caledonian Railway Company at Motherwell station prior to the outbreak of war. He leaves a widow and two children."

CASEY, B
Rank: Private
Service No: 9047
Date of Death: 15/05/1915
Regiment/Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: II. D. 31.
Cemetery: RUE-DES-BERCEAUX MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE