The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: British War Memorial Project

I've been chatting to one of the co-ordinators from the BWMP and I was gobsmacked to hear that they are struggling to get volunteers to cover quite a lot of Glasgow cemeteries/graveyards. Shocked

He has had a request for a photo of a gravestone in the Glasgow Western Necropolis and as a last resort, enquired if a visit to Glasgow would be too much out of my area. I intend to have a go at finding this grave but I thought I would let everyone know who might be willing to do 'a wee bit' that there's obviously plenty of scope!

Should anyone be interested, in the first instance they should get in touch directly or visit the site ( http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk )
which has a good informative section on what they are looking for. Basically, if you volunteer to search and photograph a location, you will be sent a spreadsheet with the known graves and all you need to do is find them and take a photo or two. I've been doing this now for a good few years and it gives me endless satisfaction, especially as more often than not, you end up finding many more men/women listed on family stones which aren't on your list to begin with. Obviously it doesn't mean seeing a name on a stone that they're necessarily buried there but in the least, it is a memorial and on some occasions, the only memorial.

I must admit, that my wee hobby has become more of an obsession - but I'm not complaining - keeps me out of mischief and after, all, it's a good cause!

Anne

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

Hello Anne,
If you like I would be happy to try to get a picture of the Western Necropolis grave. Just send me the details.
I'll also be applying to be a volunteer for the project, although I'm not sure how much time I'll be able to give.
Jim

apanderson · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:33 am Post subject:

Hi Jim,

I ventured over there on Monday and found the grave but thank you very much for the offer.

I didn't realise that the Western Necropolis, Lambhill and St. Kentigern's were all together - what a size of an area!! I eventually enlisted the help of one of the guys who are based in the wee office there and without his help I think I'd still be there!

As for volunteering - there's no pressure time wise, just as long as it takes and as long as you are happy to participate. I've now got a copy of the BWMP's spreadsheets for the three cemeteries (I haven't even looked at Lambhill or St. Kentigern's) but the Western Necropolis alone has at the very least, 460 known graves. I ended up spending most of the day on Monday just wandering around and although I concentrated mainly on Section P which was listed as having 77 graves, I ended up with almost double that amount just for that single Section, most of these being family memorials but there were a few CWGC stones not listed. All in all, I took in the region of 400 photos but of course some of these are 'close-ups' and it's not 400 single graves.

I also took photos of the Western Necropolis Cross of Sacrifice and Boer War Memorial, Lambhill's Cross of Sacrifice and St. Kentigern's War Memorial just in case they hadn't been added to this Forum but I haven't had time to check whether they are yet!

I haven't 'officially' said I'd cover the Western Necropolis but I think the guys at BWMP know me better - I can't help myself and to get a chance to cover uncharted territory . . . . . well, 'nuff said Wink

Thanks again Jim.

Anne