The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject: 2Lt J Murray, Balmaclellan

WMR 44344
OS Map Ref NX 65192 79117

This is a stained glass window in Balmaclellan Parish church at OS Map Ref: NX 651 791. Below the window you are able to see the WW2 memorial Roll of Honour. John Murray is also commemorated on Balmaclellan memorial.

Name: MURRAY
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 5th Bn. attd. 1st Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 16/08/1917
Additional information: Only son of the late Rev. George Murray, B.D., of Troquhain, and of Elizabeth Murray, of Meadowbank, New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 66 to 68.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

There is a panel that is very informative about the window and the artist. The window was made by Gordon Webster whose father, Alfred Webster was also a stained glass artist and who died in the war. I found his entry on CWGC but have no idea where he might be commemorated.

Name: WEBSTER, ALFRED
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 21/02/1915
Service No: 11852
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 22.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Stewartry · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 274 Location: nr Nottingham

spoons · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

I had a late thought, so popped back to check..................

John Murray is also commemorated on his father's gravestone in Balmaclellan churchyard. You don't often come across the word 'progeny' on a gravestone!

spoons · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

There is another memorial to this man posted here http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2469

Lloyd C · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Hi there
My name is Lloyd, I visit the Galloway area 2 to 3 times a year and it was me who placed the cross on the Memorial. Since doing this I have informed the K.O.S.B. Archivist (who didnt know of the Memorial), the Scots At War who will add his name to there Roll of Honour and the S.F.C. to see if access to the Memorial can be made easier. I have also informed War Memorials Trust of the condition of the area around the Memorial and its access as is.

Lloyd C · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

spoons · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

That's great news - I spoke with a lady in the Ewart library, Dumfries and she says that the memorial used to be clearly visible from the other side of the loch. I have not been able to see it so hopefully they will clear the vista as well as sorting out a path.

\Paul

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

With the amount of info. coming on now it is easy to let some threads slip by.
Anyway, excellent work. It would be interesting to know who erected the memorial and the process behind it. I would have though some form of permission by the land owner at the time would have been required.

spoons · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

The land is forestry commission now, incidentally - all these comments about the memorial are actually on the wrong thread. Embarassed

John Murray has 2 memorials, this thread should be for the window in Balmaclellan church. The recent comments apply to the other memorial (granite cross overlooking loch Ken).

\Paul

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject:

Any chance of moving these posts to the relevant thread?

spoons · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

I have today sent updates on this memorial (stained glass window) and photos to UKNIWM

\Paul

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

This memorial was finally updated on the WMR/UKNIWM with your new information on 4th September 1915.

Unfortunately errors were made in that process, so I have just corrected the record.

Thanks for your patience