The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:25 am Post subject: DENNYLOANHEAD, WW2

From Anne Andersons thread of Falkirk area photos:

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

This memorial was in Dennyloanhead Church up until it closed some years ago and was made into a fireplace showroom with an attached house.

It is now in the process of being converted into flats.

The Church sits on the A803 between Bonnybridge and Longcroft just before the juction of the A872 to Denny. (At Dennyloanhead)

Map Reference (as near as I can get) NS 810 801

I approached the builder last summer (2007) and enquired to see what his intentions were regarding the plaque. At that time, it wasn't to be found and apparently no-one knew what had happened to it. At the same time, I had spoken to the Minister of another local church to see if she would be willing to give it a new home should it turn up. She said she'd be both honoured and delighted to accommodate the plaque as that particular church didn't have any of it's own. (The local Civic War Memorials at Longcroft, Bonnybridge and Denny seem to list all the men.)

Imagine my surprise when today's Falkirk Herald carried the story of the plaque on it's front page. (7th February 2008)

Seems it's re-appeared as mysteriously as it dissappeared!! Confused

I've since contacted the local councillor and and am hoping top get a hold of the minister early next week.

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject:

CWGC:
Name: COULTER, JAMES LAWSON
Initials: J L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 583 Army Field Coy.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 28/04/1941
Service No: 1896434
Additional information: Son of George Lawson Coulter and Mary Coulter, of Dennyloanhead, Stirlingshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 58.
Cemetery: TORPOINT (HORSON) CEMETERY

SMWN:
Surname COULTER
Firstname James L
Service nnumber 1896434
Date of death 28/04/1941
Place of birth Stirling
SNWM roll ROYAL ENGINEERS
Rank: Sapper
Theatre of Death: United Kingdom

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

CWGC:
Name: FRASER, HAMISH
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Age: 20
Date of Death: between 06/12/1942 and 07/12/1942
Service No: 10544535
Additional information: Son of James and Annie Fraser, of Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 19. Column 2.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL

SNWM:
Surname: FRASER
Firstname: Hamish
Service Number: 10544535
Date of Death: 07/12/1942
Place of Birth: Glasgow
Other: Royal Army Ordnance Corps
SNWM Roll: SCOTSMEN IN VARIOUS UNITS
Rank: Private
Theatre of Death: At Sea

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

CWGC:
Name: FAULDS, DANIEL
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22/09/1942
Service No: 2983703
Additional information: Son of William and Mary Faulds, of Haggs, Stirlingshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 6. B. 2.
Cemetery: MALBORK COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERY

SNWM:
Surname: FAULDS
Firstname: Daniel
Service number: 2983703
Date of Death: 22/09/1942
Place of Birth: Stirlingshire
Other: (P.O.W.)
SNWM Roll: THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS (PRINCESS LOUISE'S)
Rank: Private
Theatre of Death: France and Belgium Campaign, 1939-40

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

CWGC:
Name: STEWART, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Unit Text: 8th Bn.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 05/08/1943
Service No: 2990982
Additional information: Son of Andrew and Sarah Carmichael Stewart; husband of Agnes Stewart, of Dennyloanhead, Stirlingshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. H. 1.
Cemetery: CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

SNWM:
Surname: STEWART
Firstname: William
Service Number: 2990982
Date of Death: 05/08/1943
Place of Birth: Stirlingshire
SNWM Roll: THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS (PRINCESS LOUISE'S)
Rank: Corporal
Theatre of Death: Sicily

apanderson · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

I've sent Councillor Blackwood all of the above information as after having spoken to him, it appears that only 2 of the men mentioned were known.

All 4 of the above men are mentioned on Family Memorials in Denny (and Dunipace) Cemetery.

See: http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=253&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&mforum=scottishwargraves

Anne

DelBoy · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject:

It seems it still need a home, back in the press again.
There is a contact number and email.

http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/honouring-the-brave-1-2537024

Derek.

apanderson · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:27 pm Post subject:

Oh - how VERY strange that it turns up AGAIN!!

The person referred to in this 'new' article (the same person as was originally going to be doing the conversion of the Church into flats) had never heard, or knew anything about the existence of the plaque when I enquired personally back in 2007/2008.

The Plaque is certainly not much bigger than an A3 sheet of paper and as the building had already been converted to an extent, presumably the walls would just have been plasterboard?

Somebody somewhere either isn't quite getting the story right or it's whereabouts has been known all along.

I will keep my opinion to myself.

I would imagine, if Helen Christie is still the Minister at Haggs Church, then she would still offer the memorial a home. Whether it was ever meant to be outside, and whether it would stand up to the elements, I don't know.

Anne

P.S. Thanks for posting this Derek - I shall endeavour to find out more! Wink

apanderson · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:21 pm Post subject:

The WW2 Roll of Honour for Dennyloanhead Church can be seen here: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=56008#56008

Anne

apanderson · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 4:10 pm Post subject:

Falkirk Herald, 12th October 1946. ‘War Memorial Unveiled’

There was a large congregation in Dennyloanhead Church last Sunday to witness the unveiling of a Roll of Honour and a Mural Tablet in memory of those who served and those who gave their lives in the World War, 1939 – 1945. Miss Jean Day rendered two solos, ‘Crossing the Bar’ and ‘The Flowers o’ the Forest’. The unveiling was done by Capt. Thomas Shanks, Denny, and the Scripture Lessons were read by two ex-prisoners of war, Messrs John Boyd and Ribert Guy, The service was conducted by the rev. A. E. M. Thomson, who took for his subject “The Value of Sacrifice”. At the close of the sermon, Capt. Shanks unveiled the memorials and paid tribute to the memory of the fallen. The prayer of dedication was then offered, after which Mr. Izatt, of the British legion (Bonnybridge Branch) placed a wreath of Flanders Poppies.

The inscription on the Mural Tablet reads: “In faithfull remembrance of the following, who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War, 1939-1945 -
James Coulter, Dan Faulds, Hamish Fraser, William Stewart. Faithful Unto Death.”
After the benediction had been pronounced, ‘The last Post’ was sounded by Messrs Crane and Burnett.

The Roll of Honour was written and gifted by Mr. R. M. Colman and the Mural Tablet by the members of Dennyloanhead Women’s Voluntary Service.