The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Last edited by Adam Brown on Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

Maxwelltown War Memorial, Dumfries
Location: Junction of New Abbey Road (A710) and Rotchell Road
OS Ref: NX 9654 7545 (by GPS)

I've got a few images here of a very striking war memorial. I have only posted the photos of the statue but I will add more photos with the names when I get a chance.

There are no Second World War names on the memorial since between the wars Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbrightshire was absorbed into the Burgh of Dumfries and all names for that conflict are on the Dumfries memorial.

Adam

David McNay · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:12 am Post subject:

This is one of my favourite memorials. Very nice photos.

DerekR · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:49 am Post subject:

It is a superb memorial - one of my favourites as well.

Barrie Duncan · Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Hamilton

Brilliant photographs. The memorial looks very well maintained which is quite refreshing.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

Here are the missing photos:

Details of memorial location to follow

DerekR · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject:

Here's a wider angle of this memorial:

OS ref NX 965 754

_________________

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

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:36 pm Post subject:

The first man on this memorial - Alexander R (Robert) QMS Camel C. - enlisted Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Another of 'mine' - born in Rattray Parish and commemorated on the memorial;

Name: DODDS, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/7062
Additional information: Son of George and Mary Dodds, of 29, Galloway St., Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 115 to 119.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

Mark

spoons · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject:

My selection - on a fine summer's day with the gardens at their best, each inscription panel cropped for legibility in a single photo.

spoons · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject:

UKNIWM Ref: 5862

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Does anyone have any more detail on this Memorial? Dedication dates, a description, sculptor etc.

Which regiment is the figure meant to represent or any information on the uniform dress?

It is a great memorial and anything else on it would be most enjoyable to read.

Mark

spoons · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

Just yesterday I sent the following email to UKNIWM with corrections for their record on this memorial.

Please add the following final line of inscription not shown in your records:
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

3 O'clock face
BURGH OF MAXWELLTOWN/ (NAMES)

12 O'clock face
(NAMES)

9 O'clock face
(NAMES)/ TROQUEER LANDWARD/ (NAMES)

The description of the location is correct, however the OS Map Ref is wrong, the correct Ref is NX 965 754.

The count of soldiers died is incorrect, actual count is 219 and this is also the total number on the memorial.

Please also find attached a set of photos with all inscriptions.

One of the photos already posted shows the name Henry Price (sculptor?) and I think someone has posted about him elsewhere on the forum. Meanwhile, the memorial is only a couple of hundred yards from where I live, so if you want any particular info or photos from the site, just let me know

\Spoons

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:55 am Post subject:

Another from my neck of the woods - James F. Gordon was born in Blairgowrie;

Name: GORDON, JAMES FINDLAY
Initials: J F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Secondary Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 13th Coy.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 10/04/1917
Service No: 10582
Additional information: Son of James and Mary Gordon, of 31, Church St., Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 68.
Cemetery: AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject: VictoriaCross

Name: MACKENZIE, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 19/12/1914
Service No: 8185
Awards: V C
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Marion Mackenzie, of 22, Terregles St., Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 1.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 16th Feb., 1915, records the following:-"For conspicuous bravery at Rouges Bancs on the 19th Dec., in rescuing a severely wounded man from in front of the German trenches, under a very heavy fire and after a stretcher-bearer party had been compelled to abandon the attempt. Private Mackenzie was subsequently killed on that day whilst in the performance of a similar act of gallant conduct."

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

The following casualty is also listed on the Crieff War Memorial, Perthshire;

Name: CAMPBELL, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Date of Death: 12/12/1917
Service No: S/17763
Additional information: Son of Alexander George and Margaret Campbell, of 20, Maxwell St., Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. F. 10.
Cemetery: RED CROSS CORNER CEMETERY, BEUGNY