The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:23 pm Post subject: Lenzie Public Hall WW1 & WW2

Kirkintilloch Herald, 21st September 1949. ‘Unveiling of War Memorial at Lenzie’

A memorial to the fallen of the Second World War was unveiled and dedicated at a simple and yet most impressing service held in Lenzie Public Hall at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday – at the close of the forenoon services in the three local churches.

The Memorial has been placed in the vestibule of the hall, immediately above that of the 1914-18 war. As in the case of the first war, the roll of honour, bearing the names of fifteen men and a woman nurse, is contained in a sealed container kept in a recess in the wall. (No-one seems to know what happened to the roll of honour and there is no indication of any recesses.)

The new memorial is based on the Celtic Cross with a centre panel and was designed by Mr James Barr of Messrs Benno Schotz. The roll of honour is the work of Miss Ann Macleod, daughter of the memorial’s designer. The inscription on the centre panels reads “With gratitude to the men and women of Lenzie who served their country in the World War, 1939 – 45.”

At Sunday’s largely attended service, seats were reserved for next of kin.

The service was conducted by the rev. Canon Collins, senior clergyman in Lenzie and he was accompanied bt Major William S. I. Whitelaw, M.C., who unveiled the memorial and Mr John Duncan, C.A., chairman of the Public Hall Trustees.

The service opened with the singing of the National Anthem, the accompaniments being played by Mr Dan. Adam.

Then followed the Lord’s Prayer, in which the congregation joined and The Collect for All Saints.

The first Scripture reading was from Wisdom iii., 1-9.

In the course of a short address, Canon Collins recalled that Britain had gone to war in 1914-18 and again in 1939-45 in fulfilment of promises given to Belgium and Poland respectively – “scraps of paper” as they had been designated. Our word had been given and we had kept it. In the second war the world looked on in wonder and someone said “Britain is done for”. But there was a might and strength which came from a good conscience and their brave men and women had that. In this second war the battle had come within gunshot range of Lenzie.

The reading of the names of the Fallen was a duty capably discharged by Mr Duncan, the following being the roll of honour:

The Fallen

Private T. S. Adam, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (also on Lenzie Old Parish Church Memorial)
Private H. A. Campbell, Black Watch (also on Lenzie Union Church Memorial)
1st Lieutenant R. J. Carnochan, D.S.C., Royal Naval Reserve (also on Lenzie Union Church Memorial)
Lieutenant R. D. Glover, Royal Artillery (died 19.09.1944)
Leading Aircraftsman W. Gray, Royal Air Force
Able-bodied Seaman J. Hannah, Royal Navy (died 23.01.1944)
Officer Cadet D. T. Hutton, Royal Army Service Corps (also on Lenzie Union Church Memorial)
Lance Corporal N. Johnston, Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Officer-Cadet A. Park, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (also on Lenzie Old Parish Church Memorial)
1st Lieutenant (Nursing Sister) J. S. Portingale, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service (also on Lenzie Old Parish Church Memorial)
Flight Lieutenant R. A. Shrubb, Royal Air Force (also on Lenzie Old Parish Church Memorial)
Guardsman A. Stark, Scots Guards
Corporal R. Thomson, Scots Guards
Stoker J. A. L. Urquhart, Royal Navy (died 24.12.1941)
Flight Lieutenant M. White, Royal Air Force (also on Lenzie Old Parish Church Memorial)
Flight Lieutenant P. Wyatt-Smith, Mentioned in Despatches, Royal Air Force (died 05.01.1945)

This was followed by the singing of a hymn of which the following is the first verse:
‘O valiant Hearts, who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle-flame
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved
Your memory hallowed in the Land you loved.’
Unveiling the memorial, Major Whitelaw said: “To the glory of God and in very grateful remembrance of those brave man and women of Lenzie who gave their lives in the Second World War. I unveil this memorial and commit it to the care of the Trustees of Lenzie Public Hall.”

Mr Duncan, on behalf of the trustees, said: “I accept the guardianship of this memorial with that of the First World War as a sacred trust and we shall guard it reverently in memory of those men and women of Lenzie who gave their lives for King and Country and righteousness sake.”

Following the prayer of dedication the congregation sang “O God our help in ages past.”

The service closed with a further reading from scripture and prayer and blessing.

The next of kin filed from the hall to view the memorial in the vestibule and the general public followed after a short interval.

The arrangements for the service were most thorough and reflect high credit on Treasurer R. L. Hill and his fellow colleagues of the Hall Trustees.

Lenzie Scouts played a valuable part in the distribution of service leaflets and in the provision of a guard of honour.

apanderson · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:25 pm Post subject:

apanderson · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:26 pm Post subject:

The Plaque above the main door:

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:36 pm Post subject:

I think this might be the William Gray listed
Aircraftman 1st Class
Service No: 1365956
Date of Death: 18/12/1943
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: Brit. Sec. B. A. 8.
Cemetery: YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY

SNWM has born Kirkintilloch and he is on the WM there (I think)
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ken.

I haven't really done any research on this after getting the photos - as always, too many other projects on the go!

Anne Very Happy

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 78925