The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jrah60

Lansdowne Parish Church, 416 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9HZ

OS Grid Ref: NS 575669

Glasgow's most imposing Gothic Revival church was designed by John Honeyman and built in 1862-1863. The carved stonework, including a medallion portrait of John Eadie, is by John Mossman. The spire rises to 218 feet (66.5 metres).
The decision of the minister John Eadie and a section of his congregation to leave Cambridge Street UP for the leafy suburbs of the west end was controversial. As one wag put it,
"This church is not for the poor and needy but for the rich and Dr Eadie.
The rich may come and take their seat but the poor go on to Cambridge Street."
Lansdowne became United Free and then Lansdowne Parish Church.
The Church of Scotland has now approved the transfer of Lansdowne Parish Church to the Four Acre Charitable Trust (FACT). They have a two year option to purchase the property whose spire is the tallest in Glasgow and the most slender in Europe.
FACT hope to obtain funding from various sources to maintain and preserve the A-listed building fabric. A steady income is anticipated by converting some of the back rooms into a restaurant and cafe bar.

Compare the church of today with that of its former glory.
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37246
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/79848/digital_images/glasgow+416+and+420+great+western+road+lansdowne+united+presbyterian+church/

There are five war memorials within the church. This memorial is thought to come from the former Woodside Church.

1914 – 1918

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN FROM THIS CHURCH
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR

Joseph A. Anderson Highland Light Infantry
James Algie Cameron Highlanders
James Allison Royal Field Artillery
John Banks Royal Engineers
Alex. Strachan Campbell Cameron Highlanders
James Colin Campbell Cameron Highlanders
Alex. George Chalmers Royal Engineers
Farquhar Biggam Davidson Highland Light Infantry
Harry Jack Royal Scots
William McDougall Argyll & Sutherland Hrs.
Ernest Hope Ribbeck Highland Light Infantry
William R. Ritch Scottish Rifles
Robert Roberts Highland Light Infantry
Alfred A. Webster Gordon Highlanders

"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

1939 – 1945

James W Candlish Royal Air Force
J. Miller Dunlop Royal Air Force
Kenneth G. King Royal Army Service Corps TD
Ian M. Lapsley 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Alistair L. MacLachlan Royal Air Force V.R.
Thomas C.A. Reid Royal Engineers

anne park · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:15 pm Post subject: Alfred Alexander Webster

Alfred Alexander Webster 2nd Lt 3rd Gordon Highlanders attd 1st Bn b Glasgow Age 31 Died of Wounds F & F 24/08/1915 Son of the late George Webster, Shipbroker & Annie Jane McCall. Native of Glasgow. 1891 & 1901 Census: 35 Leven St; Tradeston, Glasgow. 1901 Census: Occ: Clerk Shipbroker's. Some records say born Pollokshields, Renfrew. Officers Book page 167. Husband of Maude Caroline Murdoch (nee Cochrane) Webster, 5 Newton Terr; Charing Cross, Glasgow. Etaples Military Cemetery Fr 0040 Plot I Row B Grave 03 Evening Times 28-8-15 Page 6
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:43 pm Post subject:

A couple of the HLI men from the Woodside memorial

DAVIDSON, FARQUHAR BIGGAM
Initials: F B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st/6th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 10/09/1915
Additional information: Son of Thomas and E. F. Davidson, of 1, Florentine Place, Hillhead, Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 24.
Cemetery: PINK FARM CEMETERY, HELLES

Who is also listed on the Park Church War Memorial. (Now located in Giffnock)

RIBBECK, ERNEST HOPE
Initials: E H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Secondary Regiment: Labour Corps
Secondary Unit Text: transf. to (233427)
Age: 19
Date of Death: 02/01/1918
Service No: 39712
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1564.
Cemetery: CADDER CEMETERY

spoons · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:56 pm Post subject:

The Alf Webster listed on this memorial was the famous stained glass artist - his son was Gordon Webster. This therefore was the memorial from Woodside church.

Woodside church used to contain a stained glass memorial window by Gordon Webster to his father and this was subsequently moved to Stamperland church.

There used to be a stained glass war memorial window, also by Gordon Webster, in Woodside church and I think this must have accompanied this plaque. This window is believed lost but I would love to find some photograph of it, or better still, evidence that it was saved on the closure of Woodside church.

\Paul