The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Keptie

Eastern Forfarshire Directory & Arbroath year book 1922 page 61 has Memorials of War Heroes :

The aftermath of war continues to be seen in many ways , and during the year the number of memorials to those who gave their life in the great conflict have been numerous ...

and during the week of 3 April (1921) a FRAMED VELLUM placed in the Original Session Church was unveiled at the close of the pre communion service .

There is an entry in the same publication under Arbroath Churches and there is an entry for United Original Session Church and the minister entry is vacant but the Congregational Treasurer resided in Gravesend Arbroath . This church may have ceased or been demolished in the 1960s or before

Patrick W Anderson

DelBoy · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

Taken from The Arbroath Herald.

"To the honoured and loved memory of soldiers connected with the congregation who fell in the great European war, 1914-1919"

Armoury Sergeant Robert M. Petrie, Fife and Forfarshire Yeomanry
Private Alexander Spiers, Black Watch
Private James Munro, Scottish Rifles

And in grateful recognition of those who served in the fighting forces of their country

Leading Air-Craftsman Bert Alexander R.A.F.
Sergeant George Campbell, MM and Bar, Australian Imperial Forces
Private Hugh Campbell, R.A.T.C. Remounts
Private Peter Cargill, Black Watch
Driver Alex Lamb, Army Transport Service
Farrier Corporal James Lamb, A.S.C.
Private George Law, Gordon Highlanders
Piper Alex Lundie, Black Watch
Driver James Lundie, R.F.A.
Private Alex Lyall, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Captain David Matthew MC, R.A.M.C.
Sergeant John Martin, H.L.I.
Gunner David Milne, R.F.A.
Private James Wilson, Black Watch

Keptie

Arbroath herald Friday 19 Nov 2010 : Down your way -yesteryear :
this has a write up and photo of the interior of the disbanding Original Sessions church congregation , the last in Scotland in their church at the corner of Hume Street and Maule Street on Sunday 9 Nov 1958 .

The church was opened in 1888 AND demolished in the late 1960s to make way for Arbroath's inner relief road- the dual carriageway "

patrick w anderson

Keptie

ARBROATH HERALD Friday 3 December 2010: Letters to the Editor:

"Where are the Memorials ?"

Sir,

I was interested to see a photograph in the Arbroath Herald of November 19 in the "Down your Way - Yesteryear " series of the final service of the ORIGINAL SECESSION CHURCH which was located at the corner of Hume Street and Maule Street , Arbroath.

Recently I came across an entry in the 1922 Arbroath Year Book which listed the new war memorials unveiled , including a mural tablet in the ARBROATH HIGH SCHOOL , a memorial tablet in ST THOMAS RC CHURCH, a mural tablet in INVERBROTHOCK PARISH CHURCH , a cenotaph erected in the Western Cemetery to remember MASONIC casualties , a memorial window unveiled in PRINCESS STREET U F CHURCH , an Oak Chancel Screen at ST MARYS CHURCH and a framed VELLUM placed in the ORIGINAL SECESSION CHURCH .

Does anyone know where the memorial that was in the ORIGINAL SECESSION CHURCH went to when the church closed in 1958? Also , is the war memorial in INVERBROTHOCH CHURCH still in situ ??

yours etc

Patrick W Anderson

NOTE: sadly the Editor did not include the names listed on the war memorial as someone reading the letter may have taken more interest in the story if they had seen the THREE casualty named and or the men who came home on demob and found they were related to the casualties or men who survived the war .. His decision of course

Thanks to Delboy ( Derek) for the list of casualties and survivors ..

pat
.
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dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 10:18 am Post subject:

This provides some more information on the apparently lost Original Secession Memorial, Arbroath. The piece also touches on a stained glass window in Princes Street Church which was demolished in the early 1990's to make way for flats.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject:

Further information re. Princes St. Church Memorial Window. I am beginning to despair about certain places and their (dis)regard of our war memorials;

ARBROATH HERALD , FRIDAY 21st August 2009:

Letters to the Editor :

MEMORIAL INQUIRY:

Sir, I am interested in the War Memorials of Scotland but especially in ones in Arbroath and District and because of this I joined The Scottish War Memorials Project (Website) that photographs and lists war memorials and Roll of Honours around Scotland.

One of the members has put an entry onto the Scottish War Memorial Project website wondering where a war memorial that was located in the PRINCES STREEET UNITED FREE CHURCH in Arbroath is nowadays .

I note that the minister of Princes Street UF Church in 1922 was Rev James Murray, 34 Gowan Street, and in 1955/56 the church was called Princes Street Church and there was no minister due to a vacancy.

I remember the church being in existance during my years in the town. I also noted that the Rev James Murray's son , Lieutenant John R. Murray, 5th Battalion The Black Watch , survived the battles of the First World War .

It would appear that the old church building has been demolished and a new building built on the site for residential use. There is a plaque on the side of the building , viz., "Site of Ladyloan St Columba's Church. In 1867 a church was dedicated here for the congregation of Princes Street. It was closed in June 1990 when its congregation became part of Arbroath West Kirk".

There is an entry in The Scotsman of Monday, April 11th , 1921, which records the following information :

ARBROATH :

A Memorial window inserted in Princes Street United Free Church , Arbroath , in memory of 19 Men connected with the congregation , was yesterday forenoon unveiled by ex Provost Alexander, preses of the congregation , at a dedication service conducted by the Rev James Murray".

The Eastern Forfarshire Directory and Arbroath Year book 1922 also records that on April 10th , 1921 , a beautiful memorial window symbolic of Victory and Peace , was unveiled in Princes Street UF Church, the ceremony being performed by ex Provost Alexander , one of the oldest members and office bearers in the congregation .

Has anyone any knowledge of this memorial window that was in the Princes Street United Free Church in Arbroath after it was closed?

I would be very interested in this memorial as well as any others that your readership are aware of in the town that may have been lost over the years .

The Arbroath Herald newspaper transcription of the memorial window.

"To the glory of god and in proud and loving memory of
John F. Smart
John M. Dundas
George Ross
David Sim
Arthur Rodger
Adam Sutherland
Alex F. Hunter
George Craig
Robert Scott
Charles Weir
David Weir
James Whyte
Edward D. Morton
Fred N. Herron
George Milne
John Shepherd
John S. Milne
John Forsyth
George B. Croall
who fell in the Great War 1914-1918

More Than Conquerors

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

The Original Secession Church is WMR 76437 and the Princes Street UF Church is WMR 76438