The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

The Largs memorial stands on the promenade and includes a fine sculpture said to represent the three services by Glasgow sculptor Kellock Brown.

I say that it is said to represent the three services as the figure on the left is presumably an artilleryman (although he is wearing what appears to be the wide brimmed slouch hat of an Australian infantryman and the town does have Australian connections). If anyone can confirm the identity of this figure I'd be interested to hear.
The monument was dedicated on the 18th September 1921 and bears the names of 85 men killed in WWI and 67 in WWII (the population of Largs in 1911 was 3,724).

The inscription on the WWI tablet is:
Greater love hath no man than this
and the WWII tablet:
Their name shall liveth for evermore
Below - The sculpture is unusual for a Scottish memorial in being carved from a white freestone which looks rather like Portland Stone. This is a soft material which is showing signs of weathering with its exposed position on the sea front.

The WWI panels:

The WWII panels:

KevinStoke · . Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 175

I tried to take the photo on a slow exposure speed so I got the blue light but the wind caused the camera to move on the tripod which made the photos blurred, so I had to use a quick shutter speed which took away the beautiful blue haze. I will get one again but here is the memorial taken late at night.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:19 am Post subject:

UKNIWM

Physical Description
Larger-than-life Highland soldier flanked by sailor and colonial soldier, both kneeling. Darker stone pedestal with plaques listing names. Square walkway surrounds memorial, with three steps leading up to it.

Unveiling: The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald 23 Sept 1921, p.2. (This may hold the description of the monument)

DerekR · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:

Name: GALLACHER, CONN
Initials: C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: "C" Coy. 9th Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: S/6627
Additional information: Son of James and Annie Connolly Gallacher, of 19, New St., Largs, Ayrshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 78 to 83.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

chrispaton · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 11

Hi,

I live in Largs, and have also photographed this memorial about a year and a half ago, and have it online with some additional research into those listed, primarily for the First World War soldiers, though am intending to do more on WW2 when I can get a chance! The link to the memorial entries is at http://northayrshireremembers.tripod.com/id4.html with some additonal photos.

I've had a few people contact me with material for the site, and have also done some additional research from other sources.

Hope it is of some help!

Chris Paton

chrispaton · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 11

chrispaton · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 11

spoons · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:31 pm Post subject:

UKNIWM Ref No 9758

OS Map Ref NS 200 591

DelBoy · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: Spr. Stewart McPhaden

WW1
Spr. Stewart McPhaden

(Glasgow Herald 3rd May 1918)
"Killed in Action on 17th April 1918, Sapper Stewart McPhaden, Royal Engineers, Aged 19, son of the late Angus McPhaden, and Mrs Isabella McPhaden, grocer, Largs"

CWGC
Name: McPHADEN
Initials: S
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 4th Field Survey Coy.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 17/04/1918
Service No: 358902
Additional information: Son of Isabella McPhaden, of 5, Gallowhill Place, Largs, Ayrshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 5.
Cemetery: ABEELE AERODROME MILITARY CEMETERY

SNWM
Surname: McPHADEN
Firstname: Stewart
Service Number: 358902
Date Death: 17/04/1918
Place of birth: Largs, Ayrshire
Other: 4th Field Survey Coy. formerly 303950. R.A.S.C.
SNWM roll: THE ROYAL ENGINEERS
Rank: Spr
Theatre of death: F.& F.

DelBoy · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:55 am Post subject: Sig. John Ninian

WW2
Ninian, John

(Glasgow Herald 3rd July 1945)
"In India, on 21st June, 1945, Signalman John Ninian, R.C.S. aged 24 years, dearly beloved only son of Mr & Mrs John Ninian, Gateside House, Largs."

CWGC
Name: NINIAN, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Signalman
Regiment/Service: Royal Corps of Signals
Unit Text: 19 Air Form. Sigs.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 21/06/1945
Service No: 2597452
Additional information: Son of John S. Ninian and Jean Ninian, of Largs, Ayrshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. D. 12.
Cemetery: RANGOON WAR CEMETERY

SNWM
Surname: NINIAN
Firstname: John
Service number: 2597452
Date of death: 21/06/1945
Place of birth: Ayrshire
Other: Royal Corps of Signals
SNWM roll: SCOTSMEN IN VARIOUS UNITS
Rank: Sigmn

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:29 am Post subject: Re: Sig. John Ninian

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:44 am Post subject:

This memorial used to be enclosed in metal a metal fence at one time.

DelBoy · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: Pte. Charles Morrison Beith

WW1
Pte. Charles M. Beith

(Glasgow Herald 18th Feb 1915)
"An official intimation has been received from the War Office by Mrs Beith, Lovat Gardens, Largs, that her son, Private Charles M. Beith, 1st Scots Guards, has been missing since January 25. Private Beith, who is 25 years of age, was a member of the Glasgow Police Force when war broke out, and enlisted in the 1st Scots Guards early in August."

CWGC
BEITH, CHARLES MORRISON
Rank: Private
Service No: 9602
Date of Death: 25/01/1915
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards 1st Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 3 and 4.
Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Peter and Susan Beith, of Lovat Gardens, Largs, Ayrshire.

SNWM
Surname: BEITH
Firstname: Charles Morrison
Service Number: 9602
Date Death: 25/01/1915
Place of birth: Largs
SNWM roll: SCOTS GUARDS
Rank: Gdsn

DelBoy · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 3:44 pm Post subject: L.Cpl. David Ryburn

WW1
Corp. David Ryburn

(Glasgow Herald 29th May 1915)
"Corporal David Taylor Ryburn, 1st Royal Dragoons, a native of Largs, has died in the base hospital at Boulogne of wounds received in action. He was received into the hospital on the 17th inst. with his thigh bone shatterd and other wounds. Corproal Ryburn was a Reservist, and joined the colours on the outbreak of the war. He had been serving in the Expeditionary Force ever since, with the exception of a short furlough several months ago. He was 35 years of age."

CWGC
RYBURN, DAVID
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 329
Date of Death: 25/05/1915
Age: 35
Regiment/Service: 1st (Royal) Dragoons
Grave Reference: VIII. D. 43.
Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Agnes Ryburn, of Seaview Cottage, Skelmorlie, Ayrshire. Native of Largs, Ayrshire.

SNWM
Surname: RYBURN
Firstname: David
Service Number: 329
Date Death: 25/05/1915
Place of birth: Largs, Ayrshire.
Other: 1st Dragoons (Royals).
SNWM roll: COMMANDS AND STAFF; CAVALRY (EXCLUDING GREYS AND SCOTTISH YEOMANRY)
Rank: L Cpl
Theatre of death: F.& F.

anne park · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 6:12 am Post subject: Alexander Cruickshank

Alexander Cruickshank Pte 38324 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) b Aberdeen e Largs, Ayrshire 19 Killed in Action F & F 28/03/1918 Son of David & Jane Cruickshank, 3 Spencer Buildings, Largs, Ayrshire. Born at Aberdeen. Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines Fr 0581 Plot II Row F Grave 02
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.