The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR · Last edited by DerekR on Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

In December 1914, virtually the whole of Hearts FC playing staff, followed by back-room staff etc, went to a recruitment centre in Edinburgh's West End and joined up en masse. Most of them went into McCrae's Battalion. Many fans, not yet joined up, joined soon after this. As news spread of the Hearts actions, footballers of other professional clubs such as Raith Rovers and Falkirk and even Hearts arch-rivals Hibs, joined too. Soon, McCrae's battalion was over-subscribed and could form a reserve unit. Designated 2nd Edinburgh City Battalion, it was adopted by the Army as 16th (Service) Batt, Royal Scots.

The Contalmaison Cairn was erected by the efforts of Heart of Midlothian Football Club and donations by fans. However, the cairn doesn't only remember Hearts' losses. but those of the other clubs who died with their Hearts colleagues, plus supporters and the others from many walks of life, who sacrificed themselves in McCrae's battalion.

Well done Jack Alexander for all his efforts in recording and remembering these men. Laughing

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

DerekR · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject:

See also: http://media.putfile.com/MacRaes-Battalion-Memorial1
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

Today's Edinburgh Evening News reports that Hearts are not sending a representative to this year's 1st July memorial service at Contalmaison

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=992932007

DerekR · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

It's becoming a "must-do" spot on Somme tours for Scots.

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

spoons · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

Member of GWF YvanFrance has made one of his signature 360 degrees view of this memorial. You can see it here. Certainly helps to understand the memorial in its surroundings.

http://www.todayisfree.com/360/vue_panoramique_contalmaison_1.html

\Paul

anne park · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: No luck in viewing the memorial

I did try to look at the memorial but it just says cannot display this page.

spoons · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

I just tried it again from a different PC and it works fine. The page does run javascript and shockwave flash so it may be your PC is not set up to run these, although I would have expected you to get an intelligent message to say so.

\Paul

DerekR · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject:

It works for me and is quite impressive.
A panorama from the likes of Dud Corner or Thiepval would be very good.
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

anne park · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject: looking at the memorial

I tried again and it ran ok have bookmarked it, the list is great and tomorrow I'll have a good look. Thanks again for that. Anne

spoons · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject:

davemclaren · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Some photographs from the 2008 ceremony on July 1st. I had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of www.jamboskickback.co.uk

The photos aren't as good as Derek's I'm afraid.

http://s310.photobucket.com/albums/kk405/davmclaren57/Contalmaison%202008/?action=view&current=IMG_2841-1.jpg

Tachum · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Livingston

Nice set of pictures Dave.

I found it a very peaceful location and the sacrifice of those who were footballers contrasting with todays crop.

David McNay · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject:

I contacted Jack Alexander, author of "McCrae's Battalion" and member of this forum, about a month or so ago, and asked if he might wish to add some background information on this cairn. I would certainly be interested to hear about the process of getting it erected, and how it is effectively fulfilling the wishes of the Mccrae's veterans, whose original plan it was.

Jack has, to date, not responded to my email.