The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DelBoy · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject: James Blair

This large obelisk is located at Imrie Crescent in the hamlet of Braehead. It lies on high ground just above the north end of Lunan Bay and a few miles south of Montrose.

The inscription is really difficult to read as most of the lettering has worn/fallen off the granite surface. However by looking at it at an angle it's readable.

TO THE MEMORY OF
LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES BLAIR
OF THE BENGAL ARMY
WHO DIED AT SEA
ON THE 12TH AUGUST 1847

It's a bit odd that with such a massive granite facing stone that only a small portion of it was used for the relatively small lettering.

DelBoy · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

The following is from the book Epitaphs and Inscriptions in Scotland.

Mr Taylor-Imrie, who died unmarried, left Lunan to his nephew, eldest son of his sister Elizabeth, who married Captain James Blair of the old Forfar Militia.

He was formerly a midshipman in the Royal Navy, but held a commission
in the 70th Foot, and died at Tynemouth, when in England with his regiment. His son, Brigadier James Blair, was so much esteemed by his brother officers, that shortly after his death they erected
an obelisk to his memory at Lunan. It stands upon rising ground to the north of Lunan House and bears this inscription.

"To the memory of Lieutenant-Colonel James Blair, of the Bengal Army. Born on the 7th November 1792, he died at sea on board the ship Madagascar, during a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, undertaken for the recovery of his health, on the 12th of August 1847. High in the estimation of the Supreme Government of India, he had, for the last twelve years of his life, Commanded the Cavalry Division of His Highness the Nizam's Array, and this Monument was erected by his Brother Officers, European and Native, to commemorate their admiration of his character as an Officer, and their affectionate recollection of him as
a Friend."

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Does that mean the original inscription has been replaced? It would make sense if you think the current incription looks too short.

Adam

DelBoy · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

There are recesses in the three other sides of the pillar where squares of granite may have been in the past, maybe the were removed or fell out?

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 85768