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Bonnyrigg, Midlothian

 
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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:57 pm    Post subject: Bonnyrigg, Midlothian Reply with quote

Bonnyrigg War Memorial
Location: George V Playing Fields, Park Street, Bonnyrigg
OS Ref: NT 306 653

A surprisingly smaller statue than you expect when you see the memorial for the first time from across the park. I would say he's life-size. The memorial has it's own plot in a well maintained public park.





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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote










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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The statue is a fine marble figure with some nice details. Unfortunately he seems to have been in the wars himself over the past few years and you can see damage to his rifle, nose and backpack.





A lot of the detail on his head, tam o'shanter and even boots are still very clear through.





I'm sure I've seen that scowl before on other memorials so the sculptor responsible for this statue did other Scottish war memorials too. I could find no initials on the memorial though.

There is also evidence of vandalism at the base. A plaque of some sort has been removed. I don't know if it had more names from later conflicts or was a civic plaque commemorating a renovation or event.

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davemclaren



Joined: 21 Sep 2008
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice photographs.

My great uncle, John McLaren, is remembered on the memorial. If you look closely at the photo with his name in it the small c looks a little damaged. Originally they spelled his name MacLaren and my Grandad fought for several years to get it fixed. At first the council wouldn't do it due to cost but he eventually wore them down and they did patch it, though it looks a pretty cheap job to be honest.

I visited Thiepval this year and saw his name there. I believe I was the first of his relatives to do so, 91 years after his death, and it was quite an emotional occasion.
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum Dave and thanks for adding that piece of info. Just the detail we hope will be added to add colour to the postings. I think that correcting the name was the least they could do so well done to the family.

\Paul
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SEM



Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Location: midlothian

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The reason this memorial looks small for its location is that it was originally erected in Lothian Street just a few hundred yards from the town centre, Bonnyrigg Toll, situated between block of terraced housing.

I have no idea why it was moved from its former site but possibly so that the surrounding land could be redeveloped.

Sadly it has been the victim of vandalism on recent years.
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks SEM and welcome to the forum.

Always good to hear the background of a memorial and current news even if it is not good news (as in this case).

\Paul
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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 4858
Location: The County of Angus

PostPosted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:17 pm    Post subject: Pte. William Allan Reply with quote

The first man listed upon the memorial.

(Glasgow Herald 4th Dec 1914)
"Private William Allan, Seaforth Highlanders, who was wounded in France, has succumbed to his injuries. He resided with his mother at Camp View, Bonnyrigg."

CWGC
Name: ALLAN, W
Rank: Private
Service No: 6515
Date of Death:: 27/11/1914
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders, 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: III. B. 47.
Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY

SNWM
Surname: ALLAN
Firstname: William
Service Number: 6515
Date Death: 27/11/1914
Place of birth: Loanhead Midlothian
Other: 2nd Bn.
SNWM roll: THE SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
Rank: Pte

Derek.
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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 4858
Location: The County of Angus

PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:28 pm    Post subject: rifle repaired and old placement Reply with quote

SEM wrote:
The reason this memorial looks small for its location is that it was originally erected in Lothian Street just a few hundred yards from the town centre, Bonnyrigg Toll, situated between block of terraced housing.

I have no idea why it was moved from its former site but possibly so that the surrounding land could be redeveloped.

Sadly it has been the victim of vandalism on recent years.


The rifle had been replaced by december 2009 looking at these flickr photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/owniepics/4309269095/

Here's a postcard of its previous location.

same location today. Looks like it was moved to widen a road to a new housing development.


Derek.
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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 4858
Location: The County of Angus

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:09 pm    Post subject: Pte. Alexander Scott Reply with quote

WW1
Alexander Scott

(Glasgow Herald 12th June 1915)
"Private Alexander Livingstone Scott (10179), 2nd Scots Guards, youngest son of Mr John Scott, 13 Durham Bank, Bonnyrigg, was killed by a bullet wound. He was 24 years of age, and was formerly employed by the Lothian Oil Company at their Polton Pit."

Also listed at Elphinstone

CWGC
SCOTT, ALEXANDER
Rank: Private
Service No: 10179
Date of Death: 16/05/1915
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 3 and 4.
Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

SNWM

Surname: SCOTT
Forename: Alexander
Rank: Gdsm
Service number: 10179
Place of birth: Elphinstone East Lothian
Date of death: 16 May 1915
Theatre of death: F&F
SNWM roll: SCOTS GUARDS
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Nikonbob



Joined: 25 Mar 2014
Posts: 64
Location: Gorebridge

PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:39 pm    Post subject: Old Postcard Reply with quote

Bonnyrigg Memorial in its old location in Lothian street.

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