The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

alexmaclennan

I came across this new looking memorial on the west side of Great Cumbrae, between the road and the sea. It is on the road between Millport and the Golf course. As you face the memorial, you look over the sea to the Isle of Bute.

The form of the memorial is a slabbed walkway that leads to a wall with two pillars on either side. The granite memorial plaque is mounted on the low wall and above the wall is a metal sheet with cut outs of figures from the four services. There are gravel areas to either side of the slabbed walkway and some small areas of shrubs and heathers. There are a couple of personal plaques placed in the garden areas.

The granite plaque reads:

THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO
THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES
WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES
FOR OUR FREEDOM
AND
HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE

alex
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alex maclennan

spoons · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

Very interesting, I have not seen a memorial to men with 'no known grave' before. This is not listed on UKNIWM.

\Paul

David McNay · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Should the two "personal" memorials be added as separate memorials?

DerekR · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject:

Very nice.
I wonder who suggested the idea of a memorial to the "no known graves"?
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

graeme.ruxton · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 52

The following information comes from Geoff Moore and Andy Bryan (both residents of Millport). They credit the idea of a focal point in the west of Scotland for remembrance of those with no known grave with Andy’s predecessor as chair of the Glasgow & West of Scotland Royal British Legion: Ian Forsyth. Ian and Andy identified the site while out for a walk together, and the land owners (the McIntyre brother, local farmers) willingly gave permission. Funds were raised through the Legion newsletter, and through appeals on radio and in newspapers. The memorial was constructed (four years ago) by local handyman David Stevenson and blacksmith Ion McBay: whose metal cutout was inspired by a picture he had seen of four solders on the beach during the Anzio landings. A parade is held at the memorial at the end of May each year. An important aspect of the memorial is its inclusive nature, it is not not just for Scots, but in remembrance of all

THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES
WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES
FOR OUR FREEDOM
AND
HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE

In my view, this unusual, effective and wonderfully positioned memorial deserved to be better known.

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

GAVIN, HUGH

Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 8657
Date of Death: 20/09/1917
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 9th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 68 to 70 and 162 and 162A.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

KENNEDY, JOHN

Rank: Engineman
Service No: LT/KX 110659
Date of Death: 14/05/1943
Age: 36
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Patrol Service H.M.M.L. 1154
Panel Reference: Panel 12, Column 2.
Memorial: LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of John and Susan Kennedy.
Husband of Veronica Theresa Kennedy, of Paisley, Renfrewshire.

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

This is now WMR, ex UKNIWM, memorial 72862