The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Mike Morley

Article in the Edinburgh News about a war memorial found in the attic at Newcraighall School: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/ex-pupil-discovers-lost-world-war-one-memorial-plaque-in-edinburgh-school-3341425?fbclid=IwAR1ylHVCQcDXicUW6sD904Bh5JYTH3ilMO9Qy9o9TNfqz_I_GFl8KWIcDMA

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:50 pm Post subject:

Just looked at one of the names L/C J. LUNNY R.S.
LANCE CORPORAL
JOHN R. LUNNY
Service Number: 330570
Royal Scots 2nd Bn.
Died 23 August 1918
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, France.

He married Margaret Mack Warnock in 1908 in Newcraighall.
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Ken

Mike Morley · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 10:06 am Post subject:

Thanks Ken.

The memorial says it commemorates the members of the Parish (unspecified). I wonder if it was originally in a church and got moved to the school for storage when the church was deconsecrated. Then forgotten about.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:55 pm Post subject:

I agree Mike - could even be a "civic" memorial installed in the Newcraigmiller Parish Church.

Looking at a couple of names at random they were miners (even the Australian, George Strachan Clarkson, Pte.3269). Patrick Boag was born in Dundee , lived in Newcraigahall and like John Lunny (mentioned above) was a miner at Newcraighall Colliery.
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Ken

Merseman · Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 332 Location: Duns, Berwickshire

Newcraighall church linked with Richmond Craigmillar in 1973; united 1983.

Church hall was refitted to serve for worship in 1980. Think it later closed.

Church became community centre in 1984, then a piano works about 1991.

It has been Wellsprings evangelical church since 2006.

Of course other churches may have closed within the school's catchment.

It could also originate from a village hall/etc.