The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR

1514 Memorial - Hawick

The equestrian memorial stands at the end of the High Street in Hawick.

This memorial commemorates the victory of local youths or "callants" from the town over a party of English raiders at Hornshole, just outside Hawick in 1514, most of the men of the town having been killed on Flodden Field the previous year .
The English flag was captured and carried back to Hawick, the capture of which is commemorated in this proud statue.

Unveiled in June 1914 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the skirmish and was financed wholly by public subscription. The sculptor responsible for the ‘Horse’ statue as it became known was William Beattie. (see a thread on William Beattie in the Sculptor section HERE)

In August, 1921, fully seven years after its unveiling, the sculptor Thomas Beattie returned to his native Hawick to complete the final details on his son’s ‘1514’ memorial, work which had been interrupted by the outbreak of the Great War.
Although it had been commissioned to celebrate the achievements of young Hawick men from a much earlier conflict, with the cutting of inscriptions on either side of the memorial’s base, Thomas ensured that the record of our most recent loss would not be readily forgotten.
With the skill of a master craftsman and the love of a bereaved father he carved the words:
‘Sculptor Major William F.Beattie M.C. R.F.A., a native of Hawick, born 1886, killed in France 1918’.
A line of Latin was added: ‘merses profundo pulchrior evenit’, the literal translation of which reads:
‘You may overwhelm it in the deep; it arises more beautiful than ever’.

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

DerekR · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:38 am Post subject:

The young scupltor William Beattie can be seen sitting three to the left of the chap standing on the podium.
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:41 am Post subject:

This is possibly the Committee involved with the Hawick quater-centenary celebrations of 1914 which culminated in the unveiling of the "Horse".

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

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

Derek,

A fantastic Memorial with a great story and poignant touch. The photos are tremendous also.

Thanks for posting I very much appreciated it.

Mark

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:12 pm Post subject:

Shocking news from the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-15834308

Hawick's Hornshole memorial struck by vandals

Police have appealed for public help after a famous monument in the heart of Hawick was damaged by vandals.

The Hornshole memorial, which features a horse and rider, had part of its flag snapped off some time between 17:00 on Friday and 09:00 on Monday.

Lothian and Borders Police said the incident would be "difficult to comprehend" for local people.

Anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious has been asked to contact police.

A spokesperson said: "This monument is a major landmark and asset to the people of Hawick.

"It plays a significant and pivotal part in a number of its customs and traditions and to have it vandalised by mindless people will be difficult to comprehend for many local people.

"There will be people within the town who will know who has caused this damage and we would urge them to come forward and assist police with their enquiries."

The Battle of Hornshole, which is commemorated by the statue on Hawick's High Street, holds great historic importance for the town.

Its events are a central part of the common riding celebrations which take place every year.

In 1514 - a year after the Scottish army suffered a heavy defeat at Flodden - a party of English soldiers was camped at Hornshole, two miles from Hawick.

Youths of the town set out to meet them and defeated them, capturing their flag.

DerekR · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

Very sad - this is the second epiode in recent weeks.

And also sad to see that the cctv units overlooking the "Horse" were obviously not working again....... Crying or Very sad

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

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:14 am Post subject:

I've just realised we have no recent photographs of this memorial. Once it is fixed perhaps someone local could visit it with their camera.

Thanks

Adam

Mike Morley · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:37 am Post subject:

BBC article about Battle of Hornshole memorial. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-32972801