The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR · Last edited by DerekR on Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:37 pm; edited 5 times in total

CAVERS Parish War Memorial at Deanbrae, near Hawick.

Located next to the main road
OS map ref NT530149
UKNIWM Ref No. 44340

Because of the geography of Cavers and Kirkton Parishes, it was decided to erect three separate memorials in the district. Those who lived to the east of the road leading from Ashybank to East Middle Farm are commemorated on the Denholm War Memorial, the Cavers memorial at Deanbrae commemorates those to the west of the line while the memorial at Stobs lists the men of the Slitrig valley who died.

The Cavers (Deanbrae) Memorial lists the name of 10 men of the parish who fell. Within Cavers Kirk is an illuminated scroll which lists the names of 45 men of the parish who died, some of whom are not commemorated on either the Cavers, Denholm or Stobs memorials.

The condition of the memorial has been of concern from many years with the names now being unreadable:

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:16 pm Post subject: Cavers Memorial

Derek,

Surely the Memorial should have been sorted out some time ago.

Is there any plans afoot to have it restored and the names, by appropriate means, replaced.

I've noticed a few in my neck of the woods that are heading that way. My intention is to try and get the situation rectified when time permits.

cheers,
Mark

DerekR · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

I have been in touch with Scottish Borders Council to see if they are responsible for the upkeep of this memorial.

DerekR · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

Thankfully I have a transcription:

L/Cpl William Armstrong 7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders 25-Sep-15
L/Cpl James Ballantyne 10th Bn. Scottish Rifles 17-Aug-17
L/Cpl Thomas Blackie 7/8th Bn. KOSB 28-Mar-18
Pte Robert Fleming 15th Bn. HLI 24-Jun-18
Pte George Lauder 1st Bn. Scottish Rifles 11-Oct-18
Pte Frank McTavish 1/4th KOSB 12-Jul-15
Pte Peter M. Pringle 13th Bn. Royal Scots 22-Aug-17
Cpl Thomas Riddle 112 Bde Royal Field Artillery 27-Jun-17
Gnr Tom Sibbald 218 Bde. Royal Garrison Artillery 24-Jul-17
CSM Robert Walker 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders 15-Apr-15
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:

I'm pleased to see that following my contact with the Scottish Borders Council, Frankie Scott from the Hawick office had the memorial cleaned and the names are now legible once more:

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:

Name: ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/2172
Additional information: Son of William Armstrong, of Westmiddles, Cavers, Hawick, Roxburgshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 112 to 115.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Name: BALLANTYNE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 17/08/1917
Service No: 37716
Additional information: Son of Edward and Beatrice Helen Ballantyne, of Clerklands, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. F. 1.
Cemetery: BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY No.3
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Name: BLACKIE, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 7th/8th Bn.
Date of Death: 28/03/1918
Service No: 29934
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

My thanks to Donald Blackie for permission to use this photograph of Thomas and his family:

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

Name: FLEMING, ROBERT
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 15th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24/06/1918
Service No: 350255
Additional information: Son of Robert and the late Margaret Fleming, of Hartwoodmyres, Selkirk.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. M. 15.
Cemetery: GEZAINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

Name: LAUDER
Initials: GEORGE
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 11/10/1918
Service No: 40850
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XIV. C. 5.
Cemetery: ROCQUIGNY-EQUANCOURT ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY, MANANCOURT

George is also commemorated on the Roberton War Memorial.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:

Name: McTAVISH, FRANK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 12/07/1915
Service No: 6802
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John McTavish, of Manse Cottage, Cavers, Hawick.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:

Name: PRINGLE, PETER
Initials: P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots
Unit Text: 13th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 22/08/1917
Service No: 32383
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Pringle, of "Kaimend," Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 11 to 14 and 162.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

Name: RIDDLE, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery
Unit Text: "A" Bty. 112th Bde.
Date of Death: 27/06/1917
Service No: 84511
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. E. 12.
Cemetery: KANDAHAR FARM CEMETERY

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject:

Name: SIBBALD
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit Text: 218th Siege Bty.
Date of Death: 24/07/1917
Service No: 110631
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: G. 7.
Cemetery: BUS HOUSE CEMETERY

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.