The Scottish War Memorials Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:06 am Post subject:

From ‘The Scotsman’ of Thursday, 1st November 1923 (page 8 )

WICK WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED BY GENERAL LORD HORNE OF STIRKOKE.

Wick War Memorial was unveiled yesterday by General Lord Horne of Stirkoke, with the customary military ceremony, in presence of many thousands of people, including large numbers from various parts of the county. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Bart., M.P., Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, presided.
Lord Home said the month of October was appropriately chosen for the ceremony, for it was a month full of memories of great events in every year of the war. In all these memories Wick had its full share, for the men of Wick came forward loyally, keenly, and full of energy to serve their country in its time of crisis. When all did so well it might be invidious, he said, to mention specially any unit, but surely reference might be made to their own local Territorial Battalion, the 5th Seaforths, the old Caithness and Sutherland Volunteers, who served their country in the 152nd Brigade of the 51st Division, for 84 of the names of their fallen were written on the memorial. They could not give too much honour to the Territorials, for prior to the war, in the face of much discouragement, their men had the foresight and patriotism to train themselves to stand by their country when the crisis came, and without the Territorials the story of the war would have been differently written.
Lord Home referred to the services in the Navy, and the men of the fishing community, who had come forward and exhibited gallantry of a high order. Whilst they thought of the dead, let them not forget those who mourned, and also the living who had come back crippled and scarred and unfit to take their place in the battle of life. The monument would stand in remembrance of the justice of their cause, and of victory won, the determination of the nation, and the sense of duty and self-sacrifice of the individual.
Situated at the corner of Rosebank grounds and looking towards Bridge Street, the memorial is from a design by Mr Percy Portsmouth, sculptor, Edinburgh. The raised foundation is walled in a semi-circle of freestone, and the wide flight of steps leading up to it is in Caithness pavement. The base and pedestal are both in Creetown granite, the pedestal being 12 feet high. The pedestal is enriched on the frieze with three laurel wreaths, and the inscription is on a bronze plate in front with the Burgh Arms. The statue which, is cast in bronze, is a robed male figure representing Peace and Victory, with a sheathed sword held in the right hand and the point resting on the palm of the left hand, with an olive branch extended. The total cost of the memorial is about £2500
On the same occasion the bronze memorial tablet gifted by the Seaforth Highlanders Association was unveiled with similar ceremony by Major-General A. Buchanan Ritchie, Commanding the 51st Division. The tablet has been fixed in front of the Town and County Hall.

For the Bronze memorial tablet mentioned in the last paragraph see here

Adam
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Scottish Monuments & Memorials