The Scottish War Memorials Project

craobhan · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Kirkcudbrightshire

The modern spelling of the name is Durisdeer. There are actually two civic war memorials in the parish. The one in Durisdeer village itself (78NS 8903) in the square in front of the parish church and the other as posted by 'spoons' under Durrisdeer which is located on the west side of the A702 78NS 8801, a good distance away from the village.

The memorial was unveiled by Major William Murray, O.B.E., M.P. for Dumfriesshire. The land was gifted by the Duke of Buccleuch. The memorial is about 15' high and is made of local stone from Scatlaw Hill. The plinth is grey granite with a bronze tablet on the front inscribed TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THE MEN OF DURRISDEER PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914- 1919 [list of names] “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”

The plinth is topped by a column of grey granite on the front of which is a figure in relief of a soldier in uniform leaning on his rifle. The sculptors were Messrs. Scott & Rae, Glasgow and the railing was erected by Messrs. P. & R. Fleming of Glasgow.

On the back, on a similar tablet is inscribed AND ALSO IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945 [list of names]

It will be some time before I can go back up to Durisdeer and take photos of the village one.

spoons · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject:

OK, thanks, will put the village one on my list and try and get it sometime.

spoons · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Here are the photos of the memorial in Durisdeer Village:

This is not listed on UKNIWM

OS Map Ref: NS 894 038

Lovely memorial in a very peaceful location

DerekR · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

That really is a nice memorial, very distinct.
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There must be a place under the sun where hearts of olden glory grow young .....

spoons · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:30 pm Post subject:

Quite a few of those named also appear on the Durrisdeer memorial and many also have details with photos published in a book. Further details are available here http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=554.

\Paul

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 897 Location: Glasgow

Durisdeer Village war memorial was by the monumental sculptors Messrs. Scott & Rae of Glasgow. The company daybook has the entry:
Order Number 6294, Durisdeer, Grey Memorial, Erected October 1921, Day Book Number 373.

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject:

It looks like whatever disagreement happened over the Great War Memorial was resolved by the time of the Second World War because the list of names is the same for both memorials. The only difference is that this one lists ranks and the other doesn't but that follows the pattern of the Great War names.

Adam
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Scottish Monuments & Memorials

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 11:42 pm Post subject:

These are the four extra names on this memorial:

ROGERSON, Alexander. Lance Corporal, Black Watch
ROGERSON, George. Private, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
McJANNET, Francis R R. Private, Australian Imperial Force
McJANNET, John B. Trooper, Australian Imperial Force

It looks at first glance like two sets of brothers.

Adam
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Scottish Monuments & Memorials