The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[dhubthaigh]

Situated on the roadside travelling through Kirkton of Airlie

[dhubthaigh]

BLAIRGOWRIE ADVERTISER: 14.08.1920

AIRLIE WAR MEMORIAL

In presence of a large gathering, the memorial to commemorate the names of the 19 men of Airlie Parish who fell in the Great War was unveiled on Saturday at Craigton.
In the form of a Celtic cross, of Kemnay granite, 10 feet high, the memorial is built on a solid rock base, and is encircled by a border of concrete, on which will be erected an iron railing. It is the work of Sir James Taggart, Aberdeen.
The base of the monument bears the following inscription: ‘In grateful memory of the heroic dead of the Parish of Airlie who fell in the Great War, 1914-1919’, under which the following names are inscribed:-

CAPTAIN ISLA S. PATERSON, M.C., R.H.; LANCE-CPL. JOHN MACKAY, R.H.; PTES. WILLIAM HOSIE, R.H.; WILLIAM CARGILL, R.H.; ALEX. STRATHDEE, R.H.; JAMES SCOTT, R.H.; WM. W. EASSON, R.H.; JAMES ROBERTSON, R.H.; THOS. MAUD, R.H.; DAVID ROBERTSON, N.Z. FORCES; ALEX. HOSIE, SCOTTISH HORSE, DAVID M’NICOLL, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS; THOMAS FLEMING, M.G.C.; JOHN A. C. M’NICOLL, G.H.; PETER DOLAND, A. AND S. H.; ERNEST M’DONALD, R.H.; ROBERT GIBB, H.L.I.; PIPER HARRY SMALL, SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS; DONALD CHEYNE, E.A.M.T.

The proceedings opened with a procession of the children of the parish from Carlingwell, headed by two pipers. Rev. J. F. Linn, U.F. Manse, Chairman of the Memorial Committee, presided, and was assisted in the service by rev. W. Wilson, parish minister.
In performing the unveiling ceremony, Miss Munro, Lindertis, said she was proud and thankful to unveil a monument to the glorious dead. That beautiful cross would stand for all time to remind generations to come of these gallant men, and of the principles for which they fought and died – for right over might and for the liberty of the whole world.
After reading the names of the fallen, Rev. Mr Linn said they were not to regard the memorial as a tombstone. It was there to call these men to remembrance, and to recall to memory their earnest and devoted service for righteousness. They must all be thankful for the victory that was won. Let them exercise a spirit of gratitude, and let them seek to remember those who were maimed and wounded in battle, and remained with them.
On behalf of the parishioners Sir Torquil Munro, Lindertis, thanked the memorial Committee for their successful work, and Mrs Cox, Cardean, expressed the company’s thanks to Miss Munro for unveiling the monument. After the singing of the National Anthem, the ‘Flowers of the Forest’ was played by Pipers J. Cuthill and David Cuthill, and the ‘Last Post’ was sounded by Corpl. Kenneth Cole.

[DelBoy]

WW2

Sergeant David S. Smith R.A.F.

CWGC
Name: SMITH, DAVID STEELE
Initials: D S
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 21 Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 08/03/1945
Service No: 1821494
Additional information: Son of David Steele Smith and Elizabeth Longmuir Smith, of Kingoldrum, Angus.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Joint grave 8. C. 8-9.
Cemetery: BELGRADE WAR CEMETERY

[columba]

SCOTT, JAMES
Rank: Private
Service No: S/18272
Date of Death:10/06/1918
Age:34
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 4th/5th Bn.
Grave Reference VI. G. 20.
Cemetery DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Scott, of Cookston Farm, Airlie, Forfarshire; husband of Mary Low Scott, of Meikleour, Perthshire.

James Scott was my granny's cousin.

[Kenneth Morrison]

CHEYNE, D.
Rank:Driver
Service No:2055
Date of Death:09/01/1916
Age:39
Regiment/Service:East African Mechanical Transport Corps
Grave ReferenceII. B. 4.
CemeteryKAJIADO CEMETERY [Kenya]
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas Cheyne, of Lenrick Lodge, Forfar, Scotland. Served in the Sudan Campaign (1898), the South African Campaign and Natal Rebellion.

Of all the CWGC cemeteries I have seen this one looks very "sad"
http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/12201/KAJIADO%20CEMETERY
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Ken

[anne park]

John Alexander Chalmers McNicoll Pte S/42383 7th Gordon Highlanders b Rattray,Perthshire 27/09/1899 e Blairgowrie Age 20 Killed in Action F&F 24/07/1918 Son of James McNicoll & Annie Dargie Cargill. La Neuville-Aux-Larris Military Cemetery Fr 1695 Row A Grave 08. I found the date given as 20th.
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.