The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 1:11 pm Post subject: Another skip rescue

I'm posting this here for the moment as there's some doubt about whether it's a civil or church memorial.
The main point is the story of it's discovery.
Two pals of the Project, Margaret and Graham Wright of Gatehouse, came home to find a copper plaque had been left for them.
It had been found in at a skip hire company in Dalbeattie and thanks to somebody who knew somebody, etc,etc..................
It's clearly from the former Anwoth Parish Church but refers to "members of this church and other men of this parish" (hence the question about civil/church) and it may have been replaced when the existing marble memorial was made (or when the WW2 names were added.
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1288

The lists of names are not identical so a bit more research is required.
But Memorials do keep turning up!
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Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:08 pm Post subject:

The guys have found this newspaper report confirming that this was the original memorial.

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Ken

spoons · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:40 am Post subject:

Great find and great piece of research. I have contacted WMT to see if they have any policy or position on such 'replaced' memorials. Not because we are obliged to follow that, but it would be nice to know what the position is as this may also dictate whether it would be eligible for a grant for renovation if that is what the community would like to do.

I know of several memorials which have been replaced by later (usually grander) memorials and which still exist. Will let you know when I hear back which may be in a week or so.

\Paul

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:12 pm Post subject:

What a great find, and a great example that even though memorials are neglected they still survive.

It would be good if this could be displayed in the community somewhere.

Adam

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject:

Latest update from Margaret and Graham.
"Remember the lost Anwoth war memorial? The local GDI have got funding for it and that is now under way. David Steel the chairman decided he would like to find a descendant of Rev F W Saunders to attend the unveiling. He contacted someone in Kingarth, Bute as that is where the Rev’s wife went to after the war. As a result, a nice couple Irene Morrison and her husband, went up to the Kingarth Cemetery and photographed the family gravestone. On the back of it was the plaque to Rev Saunders. They are happy for you to use them.
They also provided a contact for grandson of Rev Frank so it will be interesting to see if the family want to come to Gatehouse."
[GDI = Gatehouse Development Initiative]

The photos of the memorial and gravestone are at:
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=9629
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Ken

davep · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Dunfermline

its such a shame that anyone would think of just putting something like that in a skip, i'm sure even if it had been replaced by a newer memorial or one with extra names, a place could of been found for it.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:05 am Post subject:

Work in Progress - an update from Margaret and Graham at Gatehouse.
"There is still more cleaning to be done and it has still to be mended – then stuck on a board. – No timescale yet."

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Ken

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 1:53 pm Post subject:

It's looking good. That will hopefully come up a treat and be back on display soon in the community.

What a great result.

Adam

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 11:46 am Post subject:

The latest from Margaret and Graham

"Just a quick note to let you know that the memorial that was found in the skip has now been restored and is now hanging in Gatehouse Parish Church. I have attached a very poor (taken on a phone) photo but will get a good photo to you and the others in due course. It is to be rededicated on Remembrance Day and some surviving relatives are invited along.

Thought that I’d give you the Stop Press news!"

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Ken

apanderson · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 12:57 pm Post subject:

That's absolutely great news Ken - you must be chuffed with the result.

Thank you for sharing.

Anne Very Happy

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 1:16 pm Post subject:

Well done to all involved.

Mark

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 11:13 am Post subject:

The latest from Margaret and Graham of Gatehouse Folk.

The original copper memorial was unveiled in 1921. In 1948 a new marble version replaced it with the Second World War names added. The old copper memorial was stored away and forgotten about.
It was thought that all the Anwoth memorials had been taken to Gatehouse of Fleet Parish Church when Anwoth and Girthon parishes combined and Anwoth Church was finally closed and sold off.
Last year, the man who now owns the buildings employed a local firm to clear an outhouse. A sharp eyed employee spotted the copper sheeting, recognised what it was and arranged to send it back to Gatehouse.
The Gatehouse Development Initiative found funding and organised the renovation.
It is now in the ‘Anwoth Corner’ in Gatehouse of Fleet Parish Church with the other Anwoth Memorials.

The main differences between the 2 memorials – there is one more name on the marble version (Bertram McRoberts). On the copper version, Anwoth Parish Church members are marked with a cross. The others just lived in the parish. And of course Rev Saunders photo is missing from the second one.

Lastly I have added a photo of Rev Saunders I have been given recently. Not great quality but a rather older looking man than on the war memorial.

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Ken

neilston · Joined: 14 Dec 2012 Posts: 370 Location: Neilston

What a magic outcome - well done everyone

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

This is now WMR, ex UKNWM, memorial 72366.

It would be beneficial to have a photograph, if possible, which was readable, then I could enter the names on the record, exactly how they are recorded.

I understand that, looking at it, that seems to be quite difficult because of the size of the lettering.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:45 am Post subject:

Stuart - you are correct that the lettering and finish of the memorial plaque makes photographing difficult, however there is an earlier post (above) from the local newspaper which lists the names exactly as they appear on the plaque.
The ministers name and those named on the left hand column (Maxwell to Murray) were members of the congregation. Those on the other columns were from the parish.
I hope that will resolve the problem?
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Ken