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Memorial details

Memorial type
Other structure
District
West Lothian
Town
Nr. Torphichen
County
Lothian
Country
Scotland
Commemoration
Korean War (1950-1953), Civilian (19th; 20th and 21st Centuries)
Ceremony
  • Dedicated
    Date: 27 June 2000
    Attended by: Viscount Younger of Leckie, Lt-Col Johnny Johnston, local clergy & dignitaries
  • Rededicated
    Date: 27 July 2013
    Attended by: Undefined
  • Unveiled
    Date: 27 June 2000
    Attended by: Viscount Younger of Leckie, Lt-Col. Johnny Johnston, Local Clergy/Dignitaries
  • Show More (2)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
53723

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Current location

Southwest corner of Beecraigs Country Park
Colonel Johnston Walk
Witchcraig Wood
Nr. Torphichen
West Lothian
Lothian
EH48 4NW
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: NS 98773 72777
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
A brick and tile pagoda* set in a woodland area with 110 Korean pine trees (one for every 10 Britons who died in the conflict) on a central mound intended to represent the Ying and Yang of the Korean flag, together with 1090 Birch trees (one for each of the fallen). The names of the fallen are listed on panels which form the side walls of the pagoda. An avenue of a further 21 trees represents the 21 nations involved in the UN force in Korea. There is also a Cairn at the entrance to the site, which is marked by wrought-iron gates flanked by stone supports with top stones resembling pagodas. There is an information board which explains the background history to the memorial in English, with a Korean language translation. *In 2013 the brick and tile pagoda replaced the original wooden pagoda erected in 2000. See also our reference 85639 for a certificate for buying one of the trees.
Inscription
Sign at the entrance- THE SCOTTISH/KOREAN WAR/[1950-1953]/MEMORIAL Rolls of Honour- [arranged by regiment]
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • Korean War (1950-1953)
    Total names on memorial: 1090
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 1090
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames, rank, regimemt
    Order of information: Regiment THEN surname
  • Civilian (19th; 20th and 21st Centuries)
    Total names on memorial: 3
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 3
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames, additional
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Pavilion
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Brick
  • Roll of honour
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Synthetic Material
  • Cairn
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Unknown
  • Tree
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Wood
Condition
History
Prior to the replacement of the original pagoda, there had been at least two occasions when repair work was required to counter vandalism at the site.
Costs

Site: 1 penny
Comments: Land gifted to Korean Veterans Association for 1 penny. Memorial construction costs and associated funding reported as being approx £75,000 at time of construction.
Memorial: £75,000

Trust fund/Scholarship
Yes
Purpose: Scottish Korean War Memorial Trust: construction and maintenance of the memorial.
Sponsorship
Other
Details: Funds to build the memorial, and to fund its maintenance, were raised by Korean War veterans, including the Lothian & West of Scotland branch of the Korean Veterans Association.
Responsibility
The Scottish Korean War Memorial Trust. Central Scotland Countryside Trust, who designed the memorial, agreed to maintain the site for first 5 years.
Reference
  • warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1221&mforum=warmemscot [has a full set of images of the Rolls of Honour]
  • BBC News Online news.bbc.co.uk/l/hi/scotland/2317045.stm
  • BBC News Online news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/808465.stm
  • RAOC Gazette by RAOC Charitable Trust website/26 June 2002
  • Edinburgh Evening News 20-21/22 July 2003
  • The Independent 26 June 2002 Page unknown. Mentioned in Obit. for Lt-Col Johnny Johnston, initiator of this memorial
  • koreanwarmemorials.com/memorial/scotland-bathgate/
  • BBC news article about the rededication- www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-23469745
  • Courier & Advertiser for Friday June 21st , 2013 : Craigie Column: KOREAN MASTER AT WORK: Following on from my last email to the Column" says Major (retd) Bob Ritchie ( formerly Black Watch ) , I thought that readers might like to kow that the man from Korea has gone back home. "He completed his part in putting on the roof in five days . The only ingredient he used to lay the roof tiles was wet clay. "Work is now starting on the brick walls ready for the grand opening in July. The Black Watch Association now have their bench ready to be placed in situ once work is complete." Bob explained previously that the wooden pagoda , opened in 2000 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean War , displayed all the names of the fallen British servicemen . The Structure has been changed to a brick and tile one . The Korean Veterans Association (KVA) carried out fundraising to raise the money to pay for this .
  • The Courier 3 March 2009 (gives the price of the land)
  • www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/8841/Witchcraig-Woodland--Korean-War-Memorial

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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