The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:32 pm Post subject: RNVR, Glasgow Cathedral

UKNIWM – Not Listed

In Glasgow Cathedral OS Map Ref NS 590 650

Does anyone know the correct name for this type of seat?

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:29 pm Post subject:

If this wasn't a protestant church I'd suggest it was a bishop's chair.

Adam

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

The online Cathedral guidebook calls it, and its RAFVR counterpart, simply memorial chairs.

http://www.glasgowcathedral.org.uk/the-nave/

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

I emailed a friend who volunteers as a guide at the Cathedral and her reply is

"The official Cathedral Guide Book simply describes the chair as ‘a canopied oak chair with a prayer desk. -------- It is the work of Thomas Beveridge and was officially handed over by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1963.’

Did you know about the ladybird carved on the underside of the canopy?

Again from the guide book: ‘This recalls a patrol in 1943 by a motor torpedo boat commanded by Cmdr Alastair Montgomerie, between Great Yarmouth and Holland. A ladybird alighted on their charts but, feeling that to kill it would bring them bad luck , they spared its life. Later on that patrol ----- in a clash with enemy armed trawlers their petrol tanks were set on fire. However, they returned to base safely.’

spoons · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:03 pm Post subject:

I love it when little stories like that get added to a memorial post.