The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

alexmaclennan · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:47 am Post subject: Hamilton

The memorial is in the form of a massive stone cenotaph. It lies 50 to 80m inside the main gates of Bothwell Road Park, Bothwell Road, Hamilton

Parish & District – Hamilton
Region – Strathclyde

Grid Ref NS715571

The memorial is built of dressed stone and is a rectangular section cenotaph. The main face lies towards the gates of the park and comprise a carved coat of arms, which I assume is the burgh shield, a dedication inscription below, and the word ‘Remember’ on the plinth. There is a little decoration by a line of laurel leaves running vertically to either side of the inscription. There is also decoration by a repeating square wave frieze that runs around the base of the cenotaph. On the faces next to the main face are carved the names of WW1 battles. The rear face has a further ‘The Sea & The Air’. The stone courses taper slightly towards the top of the monument. The memorial is set on a slabbed and stepped area and there is a grass crucifix in front of the cenotaph made by the arrangement of the slabs. The cenotaph is some 3m wide by 7m high on the front and rear faces and 4m deep.

Main Dedication Inscription

TO
THE MEMORY
OF
THE MEN OF HAMILTON
WHO
DIED FOR US

1914 – 1918

1939 – 1945

Side Face

FRANCE – BELGIUM – ITALY – SALONICA – PALESTINE

Side Face

EGYPT – GALLIPOLI - MESOPOTAMIA - & OTHER LANDS

Rear Face

THE SEA - & - THE AIR

alex
_________________
alex maclennan

David McNay · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject:

You know, I could have sworn I'd posted details of Hamilton on here.

The name plaques for Hamilton are contained in what was the Town Hall and is now the library and civic centre.

First photo showing the WW2 plaques. The plaque at the top is for post-1945 names. I didn't get a closeup of that.

DSCN9317 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

Closeup (albeit very poor) of the WW2 names:

DSCN9315 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9316 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

The two WW1 plaques. No closeups I'm afraid. I plan to go back at some point and get better pictures.

DSCN9314 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

DSCN9313 by Scottish Military Research Group, on Flickr

You don't get a sense of scale in these pictures. These plaques are massive. What you do get a sense of, is how filthy these plaques are. They're almost green. I'm told they were due to be restored. This was over a year ago so hopefully it will have been done by now. I'll report back.

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

I think the cenotaph was slightly cleaner when I took these photographs. Considering its hidden away in a park it is in excellent condition as I've never seen any signs of vandalism and the surrounding area always seems to be well maitained.

douglass · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Haddington

Hi all,
anyone in the area able to see if Hugh Ross is mentioned on the memorial and if possible take a photo for me.
He was originally Lanarkshire Yeomanry but was killed 30/09/1917 whilst in the 17th Royal Scots.
I am busy compiling a booklet about men from the parish of Cockburnspath which is in the scots borders and Hugh was resident there.
many thanks
douglass
douglassteel75@hotmail.com

DerekR · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:53 am Post subject:

Name: ROBERTSON
Initials: William
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 23/04/1917
Service No: S/4141
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 6.
Cemetery: GUEMAPPE BRITISH CEMETERY, WANCOURT
SDGW states: born & enlisted Hamilton

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

David McNay · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: Re: Hamilton war memorial

David McNay · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:

I have now photographed the name panels, and I'll get them uploaded ASAP.

wullmackie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: South Lanarkshire

Hi Douglass

Hugh Ross is on the Motherwell Memorial, under Royal Scots,
SDGW show, born Dalzell, enlisted Lanark, residence Cocksburnpath
formerly 760 Lanarkshire Yeo, 238149 Scot Rif. see the Motherwell page

All the best
Wull

**Edited by Anne

Link to Motherwell: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=420&highlight=motherwell

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

Can anyone tell me if the following casualty is listed here;

Name: STEWART, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Fusiliers
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 49
Date of Death: 07/08/1915
Service No: 17891
Additional information: Husband of Margaret Stewart, of 12, Morgan St., Hamilton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 178 to 180.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

thanks.

spoons · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:06 pm Post subject:

David McNay · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject:

Yes, it's still on the list! I had to go back and get a couple of them done again, but I now have them all.

apanderson · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

David, could you have a look and see if there's a William McGilben or McGibbem listed on the WW1 panels. (Pte., R.S.F., died 26.09.1915)

He's listed on CWGC as McGilben, on SNWM & (I think) Coatbridge Civic Memorial as McGibben.

His place of birth on SNWM is listed as Burnbank, Hamilton.

Ta.

Anne

David McNay · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:00 am Post subject:

Sorry Anne, he isn't listed.

apanderson · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

OK. Thanks for looking.

milmor_1 · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 118 Location: Ireland

A Pte John Stewart Royal Irish Fusiliers is listed on the Hamilton Town House War Memorial, 102 Cadzow Street, Hamilton.
I Hope this is of assistance.