The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject: Leith Academy, Edinburgh

Leith Academy War Memorials
Location: Entrance Hall Leith Academy, Easter Road
OS Ref: NT 272 755
Not listed on UKNIWM

Unfortunately the Second World War memorial is obscured by some electrical boxes and in front of the Great War memorial is a good place for the Janitor to store his long ladder and the noticeboards.

I moved them to get the photos and hopefully they'll notice and leave it clear from now on but I doubt it. The Great War memorial is painted and the surface has been scratched a couple of times. It needs some TLC but unfortunately its location means it is most likely forgotten for 51 weeks of the year.

Great War Memorial

Inscription

The inscription makes me wonder if another memorial still exists in the original Academy building.

Close up of names

Second World War (no names)

I wonder if this was made for the new School in 1992?

Detail of shield

Location of two memorials either side of the main entrance

Clutter around the Great War memorial. This is after I had moved the ladder and pulled the notice boards out of the way for a photograph.

Adam

Alexander Purves · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

The names of FP's killed in action were placed in a Book of Honour compiled by the FP Assoc and presented to the Academy in early/mid 1950's. There was a page for each deceased FP with details of years at the Academy, military unit and where killed, etc. I submitted details of my brother, Ian, who was reported KIA at the Fall of Singapore.

Alex. Purves

DerekR · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:

Alex,
Welcome to the forum.

Have you any idea where the Book of Honour is now?
_________________

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

Alexander Purves · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

Sorry, Derek, I don't know where the Book of Honour now is. Presumably it is kept in the school office?

As aye
Alex

apanderson · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

The Scotsman, Monday 19th September 1921, Page 9

LEITH ACADEMY MEMORIAL

In memory of those connected with Leith Academy who were killed in the war, a mural tablet of handsome design, bearing the names of the fallen, was unveiled in the school gymnasium on Saturday by Viscountess Novar. Rector Tait, who presided at thre ceremony, read the names inscribed on the tablet.

In a dedicatory address, Viscount Novar said it was befitting that one who long represented Leith in Parliament, and was known to the parents of the boys who fought in the war, should officiate at the unveiling of a memorial to those of that school who freely gave their service and their lives to King and country. In unveiling the tablet, they bowed their heads to the memory of those who forgot claims of self, and sacrificed life itself that their country might have freedom.

Professor Darroch, Chairman of Edinburgh Education Authority, accepted custody of the memorial. Thers who took part in the service were the Rev. Dr. J. M. Scott and the Rev. Dr. D. Kilpatrick.

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

ADP

That’s very interesting. I wonder if this means the old memorial is still intact in the old building beside Leith Links?

Secondly I think Ayr Academy has their war memorial in the gymnasium too. Would this be so that they could assemble the whole school in one place at the same time in front of the memorial and crucially that place was indoors for a mid November service?

Adam

apanderson · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

It was me who was resposible for the above post Adam.

I posted the article on the presumption that it referred to the same memorial as in the photos?

Anne

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

Sorry Anne, with the blue text for Scotsman posts I thoght it was ADP!

I have posted a query on the Leith history forum to see if they can confirm if the memorial is still there.

Thanks for posting it.

Cheers

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:09 pm Post subject:

The orginal building. It is being renovated

Adam

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

From the (Edinburgh) Evening News, Wednesday 10 November 2010

Leith pupils pay tribute to school's war dead

A SPECIAL Act of Remembrance is to take place at Leith Academy tomorrow to pay tribute to former pupils who lost their lives in the Second World War.

Pupil Glynn Mullen will unveil a remembrance board displaying the names of the 75 former school pupils who died serving their country between 1939 and 1945.

Glynn has spent this year researching biographical details of the men who died, pouring through old school registers and a book of remembrance, visiting cemeteries, and getting in touch with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

He compiled a list of all the school's pupils to have gone to war and not returned, along with autobiographical details. His work will be displayed to guests and pupils at 11am.

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks to Andrew Grant for these images

The stunning memorial

Glynn Mullen and Leith veteran George Swanson

The girls who designed the memorial

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject:

When Andrew sent me the photographs he also included this text. I'm sure he won't mind me posting it here:

Glynn Mullen is a 3rd. year pupil at Leith Academy. Over a year ago he questioned why the school did not have a memorial to the former pupils who died in the Second World War. The school already has a Great War Memorial. In his own time he set about finding out about all those FP's who had died and carrying out research into each of them. In addition he tried to trace living relatives of those who had died. Over the interim period he has amassed a considerable amount of material and artefacts of those individuals. He was supported throughout by the Head Teacher - Mr J.M. Simpson - and other staff particularly the Youth Worker Mr Robbie Huxtable. (I had some initial involvement in the project.)

It was decided that the Memorial should be designed and made in the school using its staff and facilities. Four of the female art students decided on the design and with the help of the Art department and the Technical Department and others the memorial was created.

The design is original and unique. It takes the format of the camouflage adopted to disguise shipping during the war with a background of the British Isles. This is created by using wooden sections to create the effect. This has then been painted in blue colouring. This is then overlaid with a glass plate on which the names of those who gave their lives during the conflict. It is most impressive and should be wider known.

Yesterday - Armistice Day - the memorial was unveiled by the Head Teacher at a service conducted by the school Chaplain, Mr. Ian Gilmour. A good number of the students were involved with each class represented. As well as the school students several others from the Leith community and relatives of the deceased attended. It was a moving and emotional experience for all.

In those days when young people get a bad press it reassuring that there are those who are a credit to themselves, their parents and their school. Without doubt Glynn is such an individual as are the others who were involved in this project. They deserve wider recognition for their achievement.

DelBoy · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:53 pm Post subject:

Glynn's hard work is recognised on the CWGC website with a video about it.

http://www.cwgc.org/news.asp?newsid=207&view=yes

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:36 pm Post subject:

Here is the original Leith Academy War Memorial. It is now loacted in Leith Primary School

Thanks to Andrew Grant for the photograph.

Thanks

Adam

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:22 pm Post subject:

TAYLOR, WILLIAM C.

Named on the Aberlady War Memorial in East Lothian as:

CAPT. W.C. TAYLOR, ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY
William Currie Taylor â€“ age 23 â€“ Captain, Royal Field Artillery.
William was educated at Leith Academy and at Edinburgh University where, as a Student of Arts and Science, he graduated M.A. & B.Sc. in 1915 and where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps. He was commissioned in June 1915 and went to France in September. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1916 and to Captain in November 1917. William died of influenza and pneumonia at the family home in Leith.
Born 1895 in Leith, Edinburgh. Son of William and Margaret Henderson (Currie) Taylor of Aberlady and of 6 Vanburgh Place, Leith.
Died on Service on 7 November 1918 and buried in Edinburgh (Rosebank) Cemetery.
Also named on the Edinburgh University Old College memorial and Roll of the Fallen.
_________________
Ken