The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

I think it's clear we need to maintain pressure on the council in order to avoid them sweeping this under the carpet, as it's clear they did in 2005. Perhaps we should be looking at organising our effort more formally - does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm going to move this thread into the "general" section - can I ask Mark to create a new thread in the Dundee civic section for the memorial? That way this discussion can continue but won't clog up the listings.

Keptie · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject: Caird park Dundee memorial

Seems the Councillor is wanting out of the idea of the care and custody of this Great War memorial .

Baillie Gillies accepted the custody of the Memorial on BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION and he would have realised that it was not just to leave the memorial to rot away but maintain in the Memory of the 25 Men of the Parish of Mains who sacrificed their whole lives for the Country and Councillor Duncan must in all honestly continue that path and not have the "Lord Nelson syndrum " of .........." I SEE NO SHIPS!"

Patrick W Anderson

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

Article now on the BBC News website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8010487.stm

I'm not particularly impressed by Councillor Bob Duncans comments. They seem incrediby pessimistic.

EDIT: George beat me to it!

George Armstrong Custer · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 29

Well done David - the story has now been picked up by the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8010487.stm

The council will find it difficult to avoid doing their duty this time as was apparently the case in 2005 - though it would appear that Councillor Bob Duncan is setting the scene for an attempt to wriggle out. If a new memorial needs to be commissioned then the council ought to foot the bill - the situation today is due to their poor stewardship over many years. And sticking an ersatz plaque on a wall somewhere will not constitute a replacement memorial!

Best,

George

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

Any chance of a scan of the Courier article?

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject:

The thread running on 'Pat's Corner' of The Black Watch Forum;

http://www.blackwatchforums.co.uk/ubbthreads.php/topics/33644/Caird_Park_War_Memorial_Dundee.html

dhubthaigh

Keptie

Thank you Mark for allowing me to use the pics of the Vandalised War Memorial at the Caird Park Dundee on the Black Watch website on Pat's Corner . The pics added to the factual story .

I was also pleased too to see the Courier & Advertiser for today ( 21st April 2009) had a large write up about our Scottish War Memorials Project highlighting the wilful damage and the neglect by the Dundee Council after the damage was reported back in 2005 . The newspaper report also mentioned Bob Paterson , chairman of the recently formed Western Front Assoc ( Tayside & Fife branch) and Major Ronnie Proctor The Black Watch association

Murray · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 64

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

This memorial appears not to be listed by the UKNIWM.

spoons · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject:

Has anyone informed RBL or UKNIWM?

It's a free-standing memorial so Historic Scotland will have an interest, any grants from them are administered by the War Memorials Trust.

How about the Sunday Post? That is one Scottish Publication that seems to find its way to expat Scots the world over.

This is not listed by Historic Scotland or RCAHMS so no mileage there I think.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject:

Received a reply from the conservation officer at the War Memorials Trust. She will write to the council with details of the grant schemes and let me know of any response.

\Paul

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

Quick update - I've just spoken to someone from the BBC, so hopefully there will be an article on this.

Any other suggestions of who we can contact?

David McNay · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

I've emailed the BBC News Scotland website regarding this. Hopefully bringing this to a wider audience will help.

Ian Robertson · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 24 Location: Broughty Ferry

Murray,

Many thanks for posting these links and the information regarding the last complaints made in 2005. This is exactly the reason why e-mails have passed between some of us on Tayside this morning, warning against complacency just because an article has been printed in the paper. Bob Paterson, the chairman of the local WFA branch, has been in contact with the local MP and I am awaiting responses from 4 councillors and a head of department. We are also of the opinion that the memorial should not only be repaired but should be relocated to prevent future abuse, something we think will be almost impossible in its present location.

regards
Ian