The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Last edited by Adam Brown on Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:20 pm; edited 2 times in total

3rd Leith Boy's Brigade War Memorial
Location: Outside Leith St. Andrew's Church, foot of Easter Road, Edinburgh
OS Ref: NT 272 756

I took these photographs ages ago but have only just realised I hadn't posted them before now.

It is actually very difficult to get a photograph of this memorial because of the railings

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 2:30 pm Post subject:

This was one of the memorials which was awarded a renovation grant on 20th February through the Scottish Government's Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund:

3rd Leith Boys Brigade, Grounds of Leith St Andrew’s Church, Easter Rd, Edinburgh (WM7721): Grant offer £6,672

This memorial is suffering from water damage causing hidden and severe corrosion. In addition historic repair work has seen the replacement of the lanterns original glass panes with plastic panels and the repainting of the lamp in a colour scheme which differs from the original.

The grant funding will support the return the lantern to working order. The existing flanking paint and corrosion will be removed from the lantern and the lamp base. The corroded lantern parts and the plastic panels will be replaced.

To complete work the original traditional Boy Brigade colours will be used to repaint the conserved lantern and lamp base. Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/138659

portybelle · Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 14 Location: United Kingdom

Here are a couple of photos of the unveiling/dedication ceremony in July 1925. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Malcolm Smith, who had been Provost of Leith.

portybelle · Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 14 Location: United Kingdom

We applied to the Centenary Memorial Restoration Fund for funding to help restore the memorial which had fallen into a state of disrepair. We were fortunate to be successful as mentioned above and are fundraising to raise the balance. To date, we have raised over £1700 from various activities plus donations from former members. We plan to have a reunion for former members and a rededication ceremony later in the year. The base has been completed and is now back in place. The lanternhead is more delicate work and is still being worked on. Here are some photos showing the base back in place. The differing Church names on the plaques are previous names of the Church. It was South Leith United Free until 1929 when it became Claremont Church. It was later known as Claremont Kirk before taking the name Leith St Andrew's on union with St Andrew's Place Church in 1973. The memorial is to the 3rd Leith BB always based in this building.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:29 pm Post subject:

It's looking in great shape. Good to know it is still situated at the home of the 3rd Leith BB's.

Adam