The Scottish War Memorials Project

spoons · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject:

One error in the UKNIWM inscription concerns the 'crossed sword and scabbard'. I have been back today and had a close look and it is definitely a crossed sword and musket (with bayonet attached).

Out of interest I took a tape measure with me. The memorial is 1.9 metres high and 69 cm square.

Update sent to UKNIWM today.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:37 pm Post subject:

James McMichael was born in about 1834 and was the son of Dan and Margaret McMichael, Balmaclellan. His father was an innkeeper in 1841 but by 1851 was described as a pauper (former agricultural labourer).

Thomas McRobert was born in about 1832 going by the 1851 census. He was a farm servant and in the 1851 census was living away from home at Kelton. From the detail on the memorial he might have been born in 1833.

I came across this memorial in Beeston, England which bears some similarities with the Balmaclellan memorial, especially when it comes to the wording for each individual.

http://www.beeston-notts.co.uk/crimean_memorial.shtml

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject:

Joseph Gordon was born in about 1827 and at the time of the 1841 census was living away from home in the household of John Craig in Balmaclellan, presumably as a servant. The year of birth from the 1841 census agrees with the age at death from the memorial.

William Barr was born in about 1831 and at the time of the 1841 census was living with his parents, Archibald and Elizabeth at Gibbs Hill in Balmaclellan. Note that the age at death according to the memorial gives a year of birth of 1827 which seems more likely. It was common at the time of the 1841 census to round down ages to the next 10 years which appears to have happened in this case, giving his age as 10 instead of 14.

James Gibson was born in about 1823 and at the time of the 1841 census was living away from home in the household of Robert Ronison at Fingland, a farm about 10 miles from Balmaclellan in Dalry Parish (the next parish to Balmaclellan). His occupation is given as sailor!

Amazing to have found all the men on this memorial!

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Something a little different for the forum.

This is an original oil painting by Ian Gascoyne (size 70cm X 29cm) currently for sale price £250 and features this memorial at the centre.

If anyone is interested, you can contact Ian through me.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:37 am Post subject:

Here is the RCAHMS entry for this memorial

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/299037/details/balmaclellan+churchyard+crimean+war+memorial/

spoons · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject:

I have heard today from the Minister of the church that my application to Historic Scotland for listed building status for the memorial has been successful. I originally applied for listed building status for the memorial alone but at a site visit by a Historic Scotland representative, we agreed that it would make more sense to apply for listed building status for the church and churchyard in entirity and making specific mention of the Crimean memorial and I understand that this has now been given.

The memorial is now covered by a Grade B listing (of national importance) although it may take a while for it to appear on the Historic Scotland website.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

The historic Scotland listing for Balmaclellan church and churchyard covers this memorial and makes specific mention of it in two places.

http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=51352

\Paul