The Scottish War Memorials Project

spoons · Last edited by spoons on Fri May 13, 2011 6:16 pm; edited 1 time in total

UKNIWM Ref: 44380

This is one of six church memorials now to be found in Castle Douglas Parish Church at OS Map Ref: NX 765 622. There is no corresponding WW2 memorial.

There is a puzzle to be solved concerning this memorial and St Ringans WW2 (UKNIWM 44378). Trinity United Free is a WW1 memorial with no corresponding WW2 whereas St Ringans is WW2 with no corresponding WW1. Both boards are very similar and now both reside in Castle Douglas Parish Church – I wonder if Trinity United Free became St Ringans between the wars? Both memorials refer to a communion table – it is not clear if these refer to the same or different tables or, in fact, if that is the table now in Castle Douglas Church – anyway, I photographed the only communion table visible.

Names:
J CARRADICE
W R DEMPSTER
R J HOEY
S KAY
W KAY
W M KELLY
J McROBERT
B RAE
W SMITH
J TWEEDIE

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

Fom the Dumfries and Galloway Standard & Advertiser August 24 1921.

TRINITY CHURCH, CASTLE DOUGLAS
War Memorial Unveiled
At the forenoon service in Trinity U. F. Church, Castle-Douglas, on Sunday, a handsome oak Communion table in memory of the men of the congregation who fell in the war was unveiled by the Rev. J. M. Hunter, M.A., M.C., Kirkcudbright, in the presence of a crowded congregation.
The table was designed by Mr. Maxwell Penman, Castle-Douglas and is in keeping with the Gothic architecture of the church. The work was carried out by Messrs Charles Ross & Sons, Glasgow, and the inscription and the names of the fallen are very artistically carved.
In the centre panel the inscription reads: "To the glory of God and in honoured memory of the following members of this church who gave their lives in the great war, 1914-1918. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. This memorial is dedicated by the congregation."
The two side panels contain the following names: John Carradice, W.R. Dempster, Robert J. Hoey, William M. Kelly, Sydney Kay, Walter Kay, James M'Robert, Benjamin Rae, William Smith, and John Tweedie.

Carradice, Kelly, M'Robert, Rae and Tweedie are listed on CD War Memorial.
Hoey, and the Kay Brothers are listed on Crossmichael War Memorial.
William Robert Dempster is listed on the Maxwelltown/Troqueer Memorial and is listed, incorrectly, as George Dempster on the CD Memorial.
William Smith is not listed on any local Memorials but is remembered on the family grave in CD Cemetery. He was 3rd Engineer on the SS "Pomeranian" when it was sunk by U-boat UC77 15 April 1918.
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Ken

Stewartry · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 234 Location: nr Nottingham

At one time, there was a RoH.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, 18 February 1916:

Trinity Church, Castle-Douglas, has just been presented with a new and beautifully illuminated Roll of Honour. It is the work of Miss Jessie Crawford, a distinguished student of the College of Art, Edinburgh. Upwards of forty names are inscribed on it. One of those on the roll made the supreme sacrifice, and several have been wounded and invalided.

The reference to 'supreme sacrifice' is likely to be Ben Rae, 1st Gordons, killed 2 June 1915.
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www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk
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Stewartry RoH
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Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 3:50 pm Post subject:

The Rev. Robert Malloch of Castle Douglas Parish Church has had a good look for this Communion table but it is not to be found.
_________________
Ken

spoons · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject:

If I understand correctly, the communion table that I was told was part of this memorial (and photographed) is nothing to do with this memorial. The communion table is lost although a plaque with initials (but not full names) has survived. There is also an additional roll of honour which must be presumed lost.

\Paul

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Paul - yes that's my understanding.
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Ken

Adam Brown