The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Last edited by spoons on Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

WMR 58339

Located in dense woodland beside Loch Ken, two miles south of New Galloway at OS Map Ref: NX 645 741. Only the fit and able should attempt to visit this memorial.

It is described as being a few hundred metres up the North side of the Lowran Burn which is about right, but it is about fifty yards to the right (North) of the burn and is not easy to find. For those intending to visit, I recommend a thick coat and trousers to force your way through the undergrowth and a stout pair of boots (and perhaps a stick) because the ground is covered with rotten and slippery felled trees. Although not listed on UKNIWM, obviously someone knows about the memorial, note the poppy cross which is inscribed WFA (Western Front Association?).
There is another memorial to this soldier in the form of a stained glass window in Balmaclellan church posted here http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1984

Name: MURRAY
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 5th Bn. attd. 1st Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 16/08/1917
Additional information: Only son of the late Rev. George Murray, B.D., of Troquhain, and of Elizabeth Murray, of Meadowbank, New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 66 to 68.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Stewartry · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 274 Location: nr Nottingham

The only son of Rev. George Murray, T.D., minister of the parish of Balmaclellan. Educated at Dollar Academy and Fettes College, Edinburgh. Commissioned in the 5th KOSB in summer 1916 and proceeded to France in December 1916, where he served with the 1st Battalion, KOSB. 2nd Lt Murray was killed by a sniper in the early hours of 16th August 1917 while on duty marking the ground with tape for the battalion's upcoming attack.

[The Battle of Langemarck was one of the most successful attacks of the 1st KOSB's entire campaign (including the award of two Victoria Crosses)].

I have a much fuller article on 2nd Lt Murray, which I hope to post once I have time to 'fix' it for uploading.
_________________
www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk
5th KOSB
Stewartry RoH
ATC Auchencairn book

Lloyd C · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Hi there
My name is Lloyd, I visit the Galloway area 2 to 3 times a year and it was me who placed the cross on the Memorial. Since doing this I have informed the K.O.S.B. Archivist (who didnt know of the Memorial), the Scots At War who will add his name to there Roll of Honour and the S.F.C. to see if access to the Memorial can be made easier. I have also informed War Memorials Trust of the condition of the area around the Memorial and its access as is.

spoons · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

The access to this memorial is as difficult as ever, I have today written to the Forestry Commission to ask them to consider improving the access. The exact location (by GPS) is NX 64454 74098. You may need this as in the summer it is possible to pass within 10 metres (from some directions) without seeing it.

Here is the view from the memorial with leaves off the trees - it was this view that was created for the memorial so it can be seen from the other side of the loch where the family lived. And a further view of the easiest (!) access so you can see what faces you if you decide to visit.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject:

Spoons,

How on earth did you stumble across this memorial in the first place ?

spoons · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

The same way I find most of the unlisted memorials. I bought OS Maps of the area, studied every grid square and visited every church, former church, village hall, monument (mon), memorial and cairn that was marked and then visited them to see what was there. Check out the one I will post later!

\Paul

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:

spoons · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

It's a long job though, I reckon it will take me at least another couple of years to visit all the sites I would like to. As I am taking the most promising sites first, I expect to have a falling success rate.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

Photos and details of this memorial have been sent to UKNIWM today.

\Paul

DerekR · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject:

Amazing.
Well done Spoons.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

spoons · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

I have been in contact with the forestry commission and today Archie McNealy from their recreation department at Ayr and a colleague (Willie) from the local area came down and I took them up to see the memorial. They were impressed with the memorial itself and the potential views from there over Loch Ken and now appreciate at first hand the very real problems of access. They cannot make a commitment at this stage but we hope they will be able to do something to improve signage and access however it will be a few weeks before we hear anything definite.

I took the opportunity to place a poppy cross on the memorial on behalf of 'Scottishwarmemorials.co.uk'.

\Paul

David McNay · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a positive development.

Well done Paul.

DerekR · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

Splendid work Paul.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

spoons · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

I finally managed to get the photos I wanted. These were taken from the other side of the valley, across Loch Ken, about a mile away. This is the view of the monument that the family designed to be an important part of it.

spoons · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:21 pm Post subject:

Good news about access!! Very Happy

The forestry commission has found the funds and has begun work. My thanks to Archie McNeillie for all his efforts. Work began yesterday and 4 men have been working for 2 days solid with chainsaws, crowbars, shovels and a chipper to cut a path through the woods and up the hill. No mean feat as you can see in the photos.

Access is now from the car park previously mentioned at the foot of the Lowran burn. Walk along the road, North towards New Galloway for about 270 metres, then turn very sharp left up an obvious track - follow this for about 400 metres to the memorial. It is still extremely wet and boggy but the problems of finding and fighting your way to the memorial are gone. We hope to have some signposts in place soon. If you can make it to the memorial, please do, it is worth it for the view alone (but you might need wellies).