The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: GORGIE, Edinburgh (WW1)

Gorgie War Memorial Hall
Location: Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
Style: Hall
WW1 Names: 140
Google Maps Street View: http://goo.gl/maps/Fv4ml

I'm afraid I don't know much about this memorial but I believe it is the Gorgie civic memorial. I will try and find out more and see if there is a plaque inside.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:26 am Post subject:

This was a real pleasure to visit. Apart from the janitor being very hepful, nothing was too much trouble for her, I got a lot more memorial than I expected.

I though it was going to be a small wooden plaque with a few words. Instead I was confronted with a large fireplace with dozens of names. Probably the best thing about it was its condition. It's in great shape and given its central location in a community hall used by children it is testament to the staff of the centre over the years that it is in such good condition.

It's good to see that no-one is in any doubt why this hall was built. There is even a small reminder on the door in.

It's been reprieved by Edinburgh City Council for now but there was a threat of closure a few months ago. I hope it continues to serve the community for many years to come.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:36 am Post subject:

The hall from the gardens

The memorial fireplace

This last image perhaps shows why it is good condition.

Adam

David McNay · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

No Power Rangers?

That's it, I'm not going.... Laughing

DerekR · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:57 am Post subject:

and NO SETTING FIRE TO THE MEMORIAL Wink

That is a first class memorial - superb from a research point of view.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject:

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject:

The first surname on this memorial is quite unusual, Acquroff.

ACQUROFF, ALEXANDER
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps
Unit Text: 55th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 22/03/1918
Service No: 20671
Awards: M M
Additional information: Son of Robert and Janet Acquroff, of 134, Georgie Rd., Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. A. 7.
Cemetery: Lapugnoy Military Cemetery

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

Gorgie War Memorial Hall is once again under threat of closure as the City of Edinburgh Council is seeking cuts to balance its books.

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 1:55 pm Post subject:

ADP

Thanks for the update. No surprise there given that the council is desperate to save money any way it can. It's already escaped in the previous cuts so I don't know if it will survive this round.

Thanks

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:45 pm Post subject:

Some short articles in "The Scotsman" in 1921 which mention fund-raising activities for the Gorgie War Memorial Hall.

14th Feb 1921.

Opening of a carnival at Waverley Market in aid of the Gorgie War Memorial Fund. In declaring it open Lord Provost Chesser said the Committee in charge had decided that the memorial should take the form of the hall. He thought that was a very wise and judicious selection. War Memorials were equally memorials if they were something useful. The hall which was to cost a good deal of money, would be adaptable for concerts and recreation. It would probably contain a reading room, and he had no doubt it would be of general benefit to the whole district.

20th June 1921

Sports day at Tynecastle in aid of the Gorgie War Memorial fund. 3,000 spectators patronised the proceedings. Wining competitors came from Edinburgh, Leith, Prestonpans, Banknock, Tarbrax, Mid Calder and Glasgow.

5th September 1921

Annual service in aid of the Gorgie War Memorial Fund at Saughton Park. The pipe band of the 54th Edinburgh Company of the Boy’s Brigade paraded from Ardmillan Terrace to the park half an hour before the service. Addresses were given by Lord Provost Hutchison and Rev. William Kilpatrick of the Gorgie United Free Church. Sacred music was provided by Mr Cairns’s childrens choir, and the “Last Post” was sounded by buglers.

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

From The Scotsman Thursday 11th October 1923.

NEW WAR MEMORIAL IN EDINBURGH

The Gorgie District War Memorial Hall was formally opened by Lord Provost Sir Thomas Hutchison, Mr W Burt, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, presided, and Lady Hutchison, Mr Vivian Phillipps, M.P., Mrs Phillipps, Mr Alexander Grant, Treasurer Stevenson, Councillors Young, Millar, and John Stark, the Rev. J. Bell-Nicol, and the Rev. J. Ferguson. The memorial hall, which was for many years been occupied as a church, came into the market in April, and was secured by the Committee at the price of £1500. Mr Burt said that four and a half years ago the Committee had decided to try and raise sufficient funds to build a memorial worthy of the Gorgie men who had fought and fell in the war. By means of entertainments, sports gatherings, and contributions they had raised enough money to purchase that hall. They found, however, that there was a restriction in the feu-charter providing that the hall should not be used for other than religious purposes, and to get over that difficulty, they had to buy the site also. As a result, they had spent every penny they had received - namely £2874. In declaring the hall open, the Lord Provost congratulated the Committee on the successful completion of their labours, and it was not a slight task that they had set out to accomplish. The sum collected was very satisfactory, and it was gratifying to know that after purchasing and fitting up the hall they were in a position to open it free of debt. The Gorgie war memorial was a most beautiful one, and because of that it would be a more lasting and more fitting memorial than tablets, crosses and others of that sort. Edinburgh had good reason to be proud of her sons who fought and fell in the Great War, and amongst those who went the men of Gorgie had taken high place for their courage and tenacity. Mr Vivian Phillipps said that he was glad he had been able to present at the ceremony. A musical programme was sustained by Mr Cairns' Children's Choir.

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting this ADP

It's worth pointing out that the name panels round the fireplace were not in the war memorial hall at the time of the opening. The names were added and unveiled in 1927.

Thanks

Adam

anne park · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:42 am Post subject: Robert Henderson

Robert Henderson 2nd Lt 4th Gordon Highlanders born Leith Age 23 Died of Wounds F & F 16-Apr-17 Son of Peter & Helen Henderson, 223 Gorgie Rd; Edinburgh. 1901 Census: 21 Stewart Terr; Edinburgh. Officers Book page 242. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension Fr 0095 Plot VI Row B Grave 11

anne park · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:42 am Post subject: John Nisbet Pow

John Nisbet Pow Sjt 5170 1st Canadian Engineers born Gala, Midlothian 10/01/1882 enlisted Valcartier Age 34 Killed in Action F & F 03-Aug-16 Son of William and Jessie Pow, of 6, Newton St., Edinburgh. Occ:Pipe Fitter. City Roll of Honour: 48 Rosemount Viaduct. Reninghelst New Military Cemetery B 015 Plot I Row G Grave 20 City & Gorgie

anne park · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:45 am Post subject: David Hunter Purdie

David Hunter Purdie Cpl 18242 MM 7th Machine Gun Corps born Gorgie, Edinburgh enlisted Aberdeen residence Gorgie 27 Killed in Action Italy 15-Jun-18 Son of William & Jane Purdie, Edinburgh. 1891 Census 685A/3/78: Saugton Leather Works: 2mths. B St Cuthbert's. Father's Occ: Farmer. Formerly 478 Gordons. Magnaboschi British Cemetery, Italy Italy 03 Plot III Row B Grave 6