The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

David McNay · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject: Memorials in Danger

Post here information on memorials under threat of demolition, or contained in a building which is planned for sale or demolition.

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

Although this doesn't quite fit into the description in the last post of a memorial in danger I think the deterioration in the condition of Kellas War Memorial in particular and other memorials in the 'care' of Moray Council in general is a cause for concern

Compare Roxy's recent photographs of a neglected memorial with Jim McGinlay's older photographs of a reasonably well looked after memorial

What are the next steps to save this memorial?

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

I'm tempted to send an e-mail to Moray Council, the local RBL and the local newspaper with the link to Roxy's original post here on the forum so they can compare both sets of photographs. Should I include anyone else?

Moray Council's War memorial webpage

http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_1813.html

Contact details

landsandparks@moray.gov.uk

Royal British Legion - Highlands and Islands website which covers Moray

http://www.rbls-highlandsandislandsarea.co.uk/index.htm

RBL Highlands & Islands contact address

areasecy@rblsinverness.fsnet.co.uk

Local Newspaper The Northern Star

http://www.northern-scot.co.uk/info/contact_us.php

mailto:admin@northern-scot.co.uk

Adam

spoons · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject:

Under the original intention of this post, I would have to list all of the memorials in Greyfriars Church Dumfries. The church has been closed for a few years, its future is undetermined and none of the memorials are listed on UKNIWM although the present key holder is certainly interested in their future. The memorials are:
Parishioners - Great War
KOSB 3rd Bn BOER war
KOSB 2nd Bn Egypt
Hannay
Kirkpatrick
plus 2(?) retired KOSB colours that I failed to record

Outside of the definition of 'at risk' but the memorial that I am most concerned about is the one at Keir - again not listed on UKNIWM, it is in shocking condition I guess mostly from being at road level and subject to salt etc. It is the WW2 inscriptions (lowest) that are almost gone.

Roxy · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject:

I move north in August and I'm sure that I can find someone in both Kellas and the Moray Council to whom I can pass on our concerns.

Roxy
_________________
Remembering my ggf, Pte Thomas Roberts, 10 SR, killed 25 Sep 15 at Loos.
Also remembering Flt Lt Al Squires and CXX/3 killed 2 Sep 06 in Afghanistan.

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:

Roxy

That’s good news. I’ll leave it just now then. Hopefully if it’s chased up in August they can have it looking presentable for November 11th.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

The Edinburgh 'Evening News' is today reporting a massive round of closures of schools and community centres by the City of Edinburgh Council. I’m not going to get all political and comment on this but tucked away in the list of closures is the Gorgie War Memorial Hall.

Gorgie War Memorial Hall Community Centre
The centre is not well used and the council hopes to move evening classes and local groups to the new Tynecastle High School.

I’ve posted a photograph of the hall on the forum. See here but I haven’t been up at that part of town when it was open so I don’t know if there are any plaques or memorials inside.

Given the age of the building and it’s location I would be surprised if this hall survives redevelopment.

Adam

David McNay · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject:

Could we perhaps organise a visit to check if there's any memorials contained in there?

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:

David

I'd never got round to going back to the hall but I'd better make it a priority.

The council webiste has this little snippet:

Did you know ?
There is a memorial in the hall dedicated to all those from Gorgie who lost their lives in the 1st World War.

There is a contact name on the website so I'll e-mail him and find out if I can get access to photograph it. The website doesn't mention when the hall is open.

Finding the time to get there is another matter!

Adam

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

Thought I'd post this on the 'In Danger' list. The picture was taken in July 2007. The scaffold has been in place to support this monument for some time, my guess, based on the boggy conditions around the base of the monument, is that the foundations have been affected by poor drainage. Action has already been taken though and the scaffolding is giving the monument the required support. I take it plans are in hand for a permanent solution to the problem, and a much needed clean up.

spoons · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

Saw this article in the Sunday Post dated 9 Sep 2007.

I don't know whether there are any memorials in the church but it would be nice to confirm if there are, and what plans there are for them. Is there anyone who could check and take photos? A shot or two of the church and shrapnel marks might also be interesting to record.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Kinross Town hall & Library

Hello everyone, feels good to be back posting again. I saw the following article in the Perthshire Advertiser today;

Looks like a plaque above the door on the right? I hope I can get this on the forum before alterations are carried out.

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject:

Further to my post in June 2007, the memorials in Greyfriars church, Dumfries are now in immediate risk. The church is up for sale and the present keyholder has been trying to find a home for these memorials for over two years. Neither the KOSB museum nor anyone else is interested and he fears that the memorials will go for scrap or in the skip. I have given him my details and the undertaking that I am prepared to take them in safekeeping until a better home can be found and that I will also give a written undertaking that they will not be sold and that I will keep interested parties informed as to their whereabouts.

The memorials in question are 3 sets of colours (yet to be posted on the forum) i.e. 6 colours in all, including 5th KOSB that were in use through the Great War
Church Congregation Great War
Capt Hannay
KOSB Egypt
KOSB Boer war
Sgt Kirkpatrick

The memorial to Capt J J Dykes that was formerly in this church is now safely in private hands. There are also some fine stained glass windows and a couple of other memorials (not military) if anyone wants photos.

I intend to write to UKNIWM and the War Memorials Trust this evening - anything else that can be done?

\Paul

Roxy · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

You/we could always write to the Boss of the Royal Regiment of Scotland informing Her that Her Colours are about to be binned!

Roxy
_________________
Remembering my ggf, Pte Thomas Roberts, 10 SR, killed 25 Sep 15 at Loos.
Also remembering Flt Lt Al Squires and CXX/3 killed 2 Sep 06 in Afghanistan.

spoons · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

Roxy, you might have written that tongue in cheek, but I thought why not? I have written to Her Majesty as Colonel in Chief. Unlikely that she will get to see it herself but hopefully someone will write from the 'Buck House' address and that should carry some clout. Will let you know what happens.

\Paul