The Scottish War Memorials Project

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 918 Location: Glasgow

Cardross - Dumbarton, Helensburgh District.

The Cardross war memorial is a sandstone cenotaph flanked by a wall terminating in pylons which are crowned with bronze lamps burning an eternal flame. The wall enclose a raised and paved area. The names of the WWI dead are listed on six bronze tablets set into the wall. The names of the WWII dead are listed on two bronze tablets set into the wall at a lower level.
The inscription carved into the face of the cenotaph reads:

OUR
GLORIOUS
DEAD

1914-1919
1939-1945

The memorial stands on the north side of the main road through the village, opposite the junction with Station Road.

WWI TABLETS

WWII PANELS

WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Adamson Archibald
Adamson Thomas
Adie Alexander
Anderson W.H. Victoria Cross
Baird Franklin
Caldwell Hugh
Chrystal George G.
Graham John W.
Hopkins Gerald
Kelly Edward
MacFarlane Donald M.
MacPherson Duncan
MacPherson Neil
McArthur Lachlan
McArthur Malcolm
McDiarmid Michael
McKillop Malcolm
McLee George
McNaughton Duncan
McRae Alexander
McRae Malcolm
Morris David
Murray Anthony S.
Ritchie Frank R.
Shaw Ritchie
Smith William
Stewart W. Beardmore
Struthers Robert
Thomson David
Umpherston Adam
Walker William

WWII ROLL OF HONOUR:
Archibald James S.
Davis William
Dunbar Alexander
MacInnes Henry L.
MacNaughton John P.
McAree James
McGeachan James
McGregor Charles J.
McManus William
McPherson James J.
Purdie Allan
Tunstall Robert

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:30 pm Post subject: VictoriaCross

W. H Anderson VC's name caught my eye. Here is his CWGC entry with citation:

Name: ANDERSON, WILLIAM HERBERT
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Age: 36
Date of Death: 25/03/1918
Awards: VC
Additional information: Son of W. J. Anderson, C.B.E., of Strathairly, Largo, Fife, husband of Gertrude Campbell Anderson, of 23, Abingdon Court, Kensington, London.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. G. 36.
Cemetery: PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 30th April, 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the greatest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during the most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counterattack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him."

The family details on CWGC give Largo in Fife and London. There is no mention of Cardross. He also had some connection to Invershin in Sutherland where he is mentioned on a headstone. I got this information second hand so I can't comment further.
He is also listed on a family memorial along with his three brothers in Glasgow Cathedral and the Glasgow Academy War Memorial. I wonder what the Cardross connection is since his brothers aren't listed?

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

Lt Col Wm Anderson VC is also listed on the Fettes College War memorial in Edinburgh. See here

Adam

DelBoy · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject: Pte. David Thomson