The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

I've been doing some research about the me of the 7th Royal Highlander (Black Watch) in WW1. One of the men who I've been researching is Sgt Henry Baptie who was killed at Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916. He lived in Cowdenbeath, so his name should be on the war memorial. However it isn't (sort of), but it was.
I've been in contact with his great grandson, who lives in Canada, who sent me a photo (taken in 1990) of the Cowdenbeath war memorial clearly showing H Baptie's name on it. However, the listing of the memorial on this site shows the name as R Baptie.
Based on what I've read the memorial was renovated at some point, but some one has made a monumental mistake during the renovation by replacing an H with an R.

My question is, who the heck do I have to speak to to get this mistake rectified? Anybody got any suggestions?

If someone could amend the listing of his name on the Cowdenbeath war Memorial thread, then that would be a great start to remembering this man properly.

His details are -

Sgt Henry Baptie, Reg No 1571, (B Company) 7th Btn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).
Died 13/11/16 Buried at Mailly Wood Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet

Thanks in advance for all help.

Cheers

Colin

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 10:37 pm Post subject:

Colin

It will be Fife Council who would make any changes. Several councils have appointed members of staff to be responsible for their war memorials because of the centenary of the First World War, however Fife Council haven't according to the War Memorials Trust website.

They have a heritage team who seem to be the ones who would be responsible.

http://www.fife.gov.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&p2sid=98B8D419-2EEC-4CA3-9024-D6EE93022002&themeid=2B482E89-1CC4-E06A-52FBA69F838F4D24

I've updated the Cowdenbeath list of names too.

Kind regards

Adam

apanderson · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:12 am Post subject:

I think what's happened is that the letter has fallen off and as only the 'plug-holes' would remain, who-ever was responsible for any maintenance, has guessed what letter should have been there. (The receiving holes for B, H, R and N being the same.)

This type of 'add-on' lettering was usually made of lead and as it's a very soft metal, tends to fall off eventually.

It wouldn't be a big job to get this fixed and the other missing letters hopefully updated at the same time.

Anne

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:21 am Post subject:

I have reported this to the War Memorials Trust so hopefully they have some contacts that can take a look at this as well.

\Paul

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

Hi all!

Thanks for updating the list of names.
I've already been in touch with the Heritage team at Fife Council, but it would appear that they're only responsible for keeping it clean and maintained, not actually have any control over what is written on the memorial even if it's wrong. The very nice chap I spoke to said it'd probably be someone from the local area, within the Fife Council area, that would have that authority to get this mistake changed. ie From the Cowdenbeath Ward.
Anyhoo, he said he'd ask around and see if he could find the appropriate contact details for me. Not heard back yet, so thought I'd try every other avenue I could think of in the meantime.

Yes, Anne, I think that's what probably happened too and you're right it wouldn't be terribly difficult to put this right.
Maybe there should be some protocols drawn up for renovating war memorials, so this kind of thing doesn't happen again?

Doh! I should have thought about the War Mem Trust! Thanks for that, Paul. Here's hoping.

I'll post up what I find out, so everyone's kept up to date with the progress of what's happening.

Cheers

Colin

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:52 am Post subject:

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

Hi Paul,

Good to see there is actually a protocol for this, though it seems something, or someone, buggered up when this memorial was being renovated.

Ah, the wonders of bureaucracy! It's all about finding the right person to actually put pen to paper to get this sorted.
Well, I've started on the next push already and contacted several councillors in Cowdenbeath and the local MSP. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get some replies.
If nothing comes forth from this then I'm more than up for involving press and public to put pressure on. However, it's only a few hours since I've left messages, so will give them a reasonable time to respond.

I'll keep the forum up to date with what I hear back.

Cheers

Colin

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:03 pm Post subject:

Colin - after an upgrade of the Sorbie Parish War Memorial two names were missed off.
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2128&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30
Getting the Community Council and a local County Councillor involved made all the difference.
_________________
Ken

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

Well, I've now been put in touch with some one at the council who can actually help remedy this. They've had a visual inspection of the memorial done and seem to agree the inscription for H BAPTIE is incorrect on it. Currently they're in contact with some one who is researching the Cowdenbeath War Memorial to make sure there haven't been any other names missed from it before any work is carried out. ie I think they're going to wait and get it all sorted out at one time.

That's about it for now. Will keep folk up to date on the progress as it happens.

Cheers

Colin

apanderson · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 11:53 am Post subject:

Happy to hear that it's a step in the right direction!

Anne Smile

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

Just a wee update on progress.

The work to amend H Baptie's listing on the memorial should be happening in the next week.

Will post again when I get the final confirmation.

Almost there now! Smile

Cheers

Colin

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:24 pm Post subject:

Nice one. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Thanks

Adam

KOF · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Scottish Borders

I have received confirmation by email today that the mis-remembrance of Sgt Henry Baptie, Reg No 1571, (B Company) 7th Btn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), on the Cowdenbeath War Memorial has now been amended.
Welcome back H BAPTIE.

Thanks to all for advice and words of support.

Today is a good day today! Smile

Cheers

Colin

Oh, I don't have a photo of the amendment, as yet. Hopefully I'll be passing by Cowdenbeath in the next couple months or so, so will take photos then and add them to the Cowdenbeath Memorial thread.

anne park

When Skene War Memorial got it wrong they arranged a stonecutter to remove the name....just another option!
_________________
Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.

sydorkan · Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Posts: 1 Location: Sarnia, ON Canada

Thank You Colin!

Just a quick message to personally thank and acknowledge Colin for all his hard work and dedication to having help get my Great Grandfather's name corrected on the memorial. It is a great feeling knowing there are complete strangers out there willing to help. It is my hope that when my daughters are older we can visit the memorial and pay tribute to Henry.

My most sincere appreciation,

Great Grandson of Henry Baptie
Andrew Charles Sydorko
Sarnia Legion Pipe Band
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada