The Scottish War Memorials Project

spoons · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:01 am Post subject: Closeburn Roll of Honour

Not listed on UKNIWM

The memorial is in a dark corner in the entrance to the Closeburn Parish Church at OS Map Ref: NX 904 923.

Sorry about the pictures, I have cleaned them up best I can. Lights or flash only gave me glare.

Thinking about this memorial, it might be a cause of speculation for a few reasons:

Firstly notice that the scroll does not really fit in the frame so has it been folded or cut to fit? and does that mean the frame has been re-used from another purpose?

Secondly notice that the inscription reads "who through perils of war are serving the nation", 'are serving' not 'served'. This implies to me that this wording was used during the war and not at its end.

Thirdly, the frame is hinged showing it is intended to be readily opened. Evidence of a previous use? or was this how the roll of honour was used as a working document during the war?

Taking the points together, I speculate that a draft of this roll was maintained in this frame during the war and at the end of the war, exactly the same wording was used when it was re-written onto a more ornate piece of paper with border. The only difference being that all the names were put into proper order.

Mostly this is my imagination so anyone have any alternative explanations?

teddy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 48

Spoon,

This memorial commemorates all those connected with Closeburn Parish who served their country in the Great War.

and

The tall grantie memorial at the cross roads in village of Closeburn, commemrates the war dead of WW1 and WW2

Many of the men on roll of honour are on other local WM's around and many where of course still alive at end of war, it was Closeburn way of honouring the men.

Teddy.