The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 339 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

As some of you will recall, I was quite active from September - November in trying to tracking-down the numerous war memorials of Berwickshire.

I visited all the civic memorials in the county, and I've also been to every church to look for congregational/individual memorials or Rolls of Honour. This has proven particularly fruitful with several dozen that were unknown or undocumented.

After this I thought about schools, and public halls or community centres - ie. those run by the local authority - and I phoned every one and asked if they had anything in the way of memorial plaques / similar sorts of items commemorating the war. This was largely a fruitless exercise - with a few false hopes! - but worth having tried. I'm also in the process of contacting the various hospitals in case they have anything.

Shortly before Christmas I attended a talk at the local history society who meet in a masonic hall. At the end I noted they had 2 framed rolls, 1 from each war... as a result I'm going to contact the other lodges in the county, in the hope they may also have such items. Also bowling and golf clubs.

There was no real industry in Berwickshire - apart from 2 large mills. That at Cumledge (for blankets) was demolished decades ago, but I'm going to write to the other one at Chirnsidebridge (for paper and still operating), in case they have anything commemorating employees or similar.

Though an unlikely source I'm going to contact the local council's Archives Service too.

I've also tried to get 'the word out' by giving a few illustrated talks, e.g. to the local Village Halls Association; the Presbytery; the Church of Scotland Guild. They've been well-received and serve a purpose in themselves, but none has yet produced a 'find' of itself.

For those who have been doing this sort of thing for years, and in varying parts of Scotland... what other sorts of places could have memorials? And are there any ideas on further ways to get 'the word out'?

Hints 'n tips gratefully received!

Kenny

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:40 pm Post subject:

Wow, Kenny - not many stones unturned.
Community Councils might be worth trying, contact details are usually on the Council web site and many have their own sites.
The only thing to add is that often people will say there aren't any memorials when in fact there are - they've just stopped noticing them!
or they don't consider them to be memorials - Rolls of Honour for example.
Anyway well done so far. Up the coast next ??????
_________________
Ken

spoons · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Kenny

Well done and yes, we have noticed you are doing a great job.

Local museums (public and private) and I suggest calling in advance and ask specifically for anything relating to memorials - not just the memorials themselves and make sure they check the archives and other areas not open to the public.

In churches I have found memorials in vestries (quite common), in the bell tower and underneath a pew. Remember to check all brass plaques on furniture and fittings.

Town and village halls - you need to physically check as Ken said, I cannot count the number of times I have been told there is no memorial only to find one and promptly have a discussion about either they did not know it was there or it's not a proper war memorial.

I have taken to checking out pillars and cairns on top of hills, plaques on park benches etc.

My local post office had a memorial in the sorting office - I got the clue for this from an old newspaper cutting.

A full hunt through the local newspaper archives from 1920 to 23 turned up a number of clues (including schools who had denied having them - one turned out to be a bible in the Head's study and another was a lectern) and you might also find info about 'lost' memorials, in which case you can put in an appeal to the local press.

Local sports clubs may have memorials, even trophies dedicated as memorials.

Ask at the reference section of the local library if they have anything - there is a great folder of info in our local library. Also try to find out if any others have similar interests. I have come across one or two individuals by asking around and one of them has never published, never used the internet and all his photos were shot on 35mm film!

Good luck

\Paul

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 339 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

Thanks.

I forgot to say I plan to send each Community Council a list of memorials in their territory, once I've exhausted all other avenues, then ask them to discuss it at a meeting.

Done the few local museums we have.

Got fairly adept at spotting things in churches as I went along and politely insisting on seeing the vestry or session room!

We have a couple of dozen village halls, though many new builds. When I attended the Village Halls Association's meeting they all got a flyer asking them to contact me if they spotted anything in their hall... a couple did, all with items I already knew about. I did the same thing at the Presbytery.

May try to write to each hall, to spark it in their secretary's mind. All adds up though, postage and envelopes.

Law of diminishing returns, too.

Recognise the problem of people saying they've not got anything, when in actual fact they do. I tend to say "memorial plaques", and "framed rolls of honour", and so on whenever I talk to people - to try and avoid them only thinking of stone crosses and obelisks.

Checking the local newspapers from the early 1920s is a good idea.

Sadly, the bound volumes of the 'Berwickshire News' from its foundation until the present day are now in Selkirk... they were removed from Duns Library a year ago when it was turned into an all in one council contact centre... but I may be able to consult them there or in Edinburgh.

spoons · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:44 pm Post subject:

My local papers are available in my local library on Microfiche.

Don't rule out the new schools and halls, Ken and I were in a hall last Friday with two plaques and only built in 1995. A couple of local schools build in the last few years also have inherited memorials.

My local council has both a War Memorials Officer and a Veterans Affairs councillor (aka Armed Forces Champion). Probably worth making contact there.

Memorials from closed churches are worth chasing down, some get returned to family.

\Paul

Lindsay · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 108

Another option for newspaper access might be the British Library newspapers.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/home/NewspaperTitles

'Berwickshire News' is on their list but nothing for any years which would be useful for you yet. Also as a warning they are taking a long time to fill in the gaps in the availability which they promised so it could be years before the relevant period is available. The 'Southern Reporter' IS available from 1920-1927. I know it's not Berwickshire but it's close and might cover relevant stuff? I sometimes feel like an advertiser for the British library project but I'm just an enthusiastic user. Online access has the huge advantage that you are not tied to library opening hours, and don't have to venture out on a cold wet day Smile

If you are going down this route, access via findmypast.com might be better value for you as they also have military records which might help your research

HTH
Lindsay

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Agree with previous poster. You can access the newspaper archive from home if you are a member of the National Librqry of Scotland. Their website gives details of how to join - I am sure you don't have to travel to Edinburgh.

Whilst I was there this week looking at material concerning the Independent Order of Oddfellows I came across the annual reports of the Pride of Midlothian Lodge. (This lodge was based in Bonnyrigg but covered surrounding area as well). In the 1918 report they have
- a ROH and state 25% of membership had served.e.g J McLean Lovat Scouts.
- following honours have been awarded to members for bravery in the field e.g. Sgt John Naysmith RAMC Military Medal & Bar
- In addition the following members have made the Supreme Sacrifice e.g. John Ellacott RAMC; Albert Wigley Royal Scots.

I know locally we have in Town House a ROH of Free Gardeners. I am sure there are more for this and similar organisations out there. Sporting Clubs e.g golf clubs have memorials as well.