The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

*sparkle* · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Leicester

I joined a few weeks ago whilst looking into my borders family but have just browsed this amazing site until now as I thought I didnt have much to contribute.

I have recently been transcribing a memoral close to where I now live in Leicestershire.

Now I have gone off on a tangent as I started looking at the war memorial at Kirkmahoe where we used to climb up to when I was wee. (Steep climb for little legs)

Theres some great pictures of the memorial on here from Spoons which triggered my interest again. I've always been curious about who these men were and now I'd like to look into their backgrounds a little bit farther.

My question is, will anyone else have done this already and would I just be repeating their hard work? How could I find out if its been done before?
Also, once I have satisfied my curiosity, what should I do with any findings??

Lots of questions, and any thoughts or pointers are very welcome.

Thank you.

Tracey
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Interests: Dickson, Bowie, Manderson and Hogg from the Borders. Rammell, Beck, Ireland from Dumries & Galloway.

David McNay · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:50 am Post subject:

Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum.

I've got a few Kirkmahoe connections myself. My ancestors came from there.

As for researching the memorial...I say just go for it. If you're keen to do it, then don't let the thought that someone else has done it stop you.

As for where you can post your "findings". Well, feel free to post the information right here!

Regards,

David

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:20 am Post subject:

Hello Tracey,

Also see spoons thread on how to research a memorial;

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1969&highlight=researching

If stuck or any other help needed just ask.

rgds.,
Mark

*sparkle* · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Leicester

David,

Thank you for the reply. In that case I will go for it (to be honest I have already started as the curiosity got the better of me).

I was just worried that I would step on someones toes.

Once I have looked into these boys and double checked the information is it ok to add to the post the details where the memorial pictures are?

As for Kirkmahoe, I was born there and family still live there.... its still 'home' for me.

The memorial is on a bizarre little hill which is hard to get up and you always wonder why it was built there... until you get to the top and see the gorgeous views all across the parish. A very fitting spot.

Tracey
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Interests: Dickson, Bowie, Manderson and Hogg from the Borders. Rammell, Beck, Ireland from Dumries & Galloway.

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Sparkle and welcome. Yes Kirkmahoe is certainly in an unusual location, I had some health problems at the time I photographed it (thankfully now sorted) and I found it a little difficult to get up there with confidence. I can imagine that many elderly or less able can no longer get to the top.
I am not aware of any published research on this memorial, but if you want to be sure you should contact the Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society who might have some knowledge.

I would love to see some research on this memorial added to the original post. I just do a little when the mood takes me (and I have time). See Keir and Kingholm Quay for odd bits of research which may give you some ideas.

Apart from CWGC, SNWM, the memorial itself, newspaper cuttings and anything on Ancestry.co.uk (MICs, census, military records etc) you should also consider the book 'The Stewartry Roll of Honour' now long out of print. If you cannot get hold of it from a library, then PM me and I will give you some details of someone who might be able to help - lots of errors and omissions in the book though.

The WW2 memorial is in the parish church, listed under Kirkton.

\Paul