Memorial details

Memorial type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
District
Perth And Kinross
Town
Perth
County
Tayside
Country
Scotland
Commemoration
Second World War (1939-1945), First World War (1914-1918)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 8 January 1921
    Attended by: John Clark JP, General Manager
  • Rededicated
    Date: 25 May 2012
    Attended by: Undefined
  • Dedicated
    Date: 8 January 1921
    Attended by: Revd P A Gordon Clark, Chaplain to the Forces at Perth
  • Show More (2)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
57679

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Current location

On river side of the flood control wall
slightly North West of the flood control gate.
Perth Memorial Garden
North Inch
Perth
Perth And Kinross
Tayside
PH1 5LW
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: NO 11944 23932
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • On external wall
    Co-Operative Society Ltd
    Scott Street
    Perth
    Perth And Kinross
    Tayside
    PH1
    Scotland

    OS Grid Ref: NO 089 264
    Denomination: Undefined
  • On back wall of premises
    Royal British Legion
    Skinnergate
    Perth
    Perth And Kinross
    Tayside
    Scotland

    OS Grid Ref: NO 11940 23702
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Rectangular metal plaque with border and square decorative motif at each corner. Inscription above and names listed below in two columns. The base of the plaque has been adapted to inset a metal scroll with WW2 inscription and names. Inscription and names in raised lettering.
Inscription
1914 1919/ TO THE LASTING MEMORY OF/ THE EMPLOYEES OF THE/ CITY OF PERTH CO-OPERATIVE/ SOCIETY LTD/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ (Names)/ ALSO IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF/ THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES/ IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945/ (Names)/ "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Adams, Edmund
Bolt, John
Boyle, Peter
Brough, John
Campbell, Thomas
Clark, William
Davie, John
Dick, James
Fleming, John
Gowans, Forrester
See details for all 26 names
Commemorations
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 3
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 3
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: forename, surname, maiden name, regiment
    Order of information: sex THEN surname
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 23
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 23
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: forename, surname, regiment
    Order of information: surname
Components
  • Plaque
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Plaque
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • First World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Corporate
Reference
  • Perthshire Advertiser - Wednesday 04 January 1922 Events of a Year. IN PERTH CITY AND COUNTY. 8 - City of Perth Co-operative Society's War Memorial unveiled.
  • Scottish War Memorials Project-warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1484&mforum=warmemscot
  • Perthshire Advertiser Wednesday 12th January 1921 COOPERATIVE WAR MEMORIAL Fine Record of Perth Society A memorial,subscribed for jointly by the directors and employees,to the honour of the twenty three men who left the employment of the City of Perth Cooperative Society,and died in the Great War,was unveiled and dedicated on Saturday afternoon.The memorial,which is in the form of a bronze plaque,surmounted on a marble slab,placed on the wall of the central building of the Society`s premises in Scott Street,is simple and dignified.Below the clasped hands,the symbol of brotherhood,is the inscription:"To the lasting memory of the employees of the City of Perth Cooperative Society who fell in the Great War".The names follow:- Edmund Adams,K.O.S.B;Peter Boyle,H.L.I;John Bolt,A.S.C;John Brough,Black Watch;Thomas Campbell,R.G.A;William Clark,R.G.A;John Davie,Scots Guards;James Dick,Leicester Regiment;John Fleming,H.L.I;Forrester Gowans,Gordon Highlanders;Duncan Gow,Black Watch;James.G.Griffith,Black Watch;Alex. Haxton,Black Watch;Robert Heggie,Seaforth Highlanders;David Hinshelwood,Scots Guards;James Kippen,Black Watch;Terence Maley,Gordon Highlanders;George McLaughlan,Black Watch;James McLeish,H.L.I;John Norwell,R.F.A;Robert Robertson,H.L.I;Thomas Simmie,Royal Engineers;John Taylor,Black Watch "Their name liveth for evermore" Councillor James Taylor,J.P.,chairman of the Society presided at the unveiling ceremony,the guard of honour being provided by ex-service employees,and in calling on John Clark,J.P.,general manager, to undrape the memorial,spoke of the response which the call to arms had met with.The Cooperative Society had neither urged nor kept their employees from going to fight.The one condition they made was that if anyone on his own initiative went he would be guaranteed,if he came back,a situation.He was very proud to say that the Society had carried out that obligation.145 members of the Society went out to fight,willing to sacrifice all,even to their very lives,and 23 of them failed to return.It was to pay a tribute to their memory that they were met that day.He thought that it augured well for the future prosperity of the Cooperative movement in Perth that they had such a grand response to the appeal of the country. Mr Clark thereafter drew aside the union jack veiling the tablet,and reverently repeated the names appearing on it,and the Rev.P.A.Gordon Clark,Chaplain to the Forces at Perth,offered up a dedicatory prayer.Two buglers from the barracks sounded the "Last Post" while the guard of honour stood to attention. At the close,a wreath of laurel and white chrysanthemums from the Board of Directors and management was placed below the tablet,along with a laurel wreath from Baillie and Mrs Gowans.
  • Apr 27 2012 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday A HOMELESS bronze plaque commemorating Perth Co-operative Society employees who sacrificed their lives during the two world wars is to get its final resting place. The 91-year-old memorial has been dusted off for rededication at a special ceremony spearheaded by the Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross Mel Jameson and our new Provost at Perth’s Garden of Remembrance next month. Originally erected in 1921 on one of the Co-op buildings in Scott Street, the plaque lists the names of all 23 workers killed serving their country during World War I – 1914-18. In the January 12, 1921 edition of the PA, a report on the plaque’s dedication quoted the Society’s general manager, John Clark, expressing how proud he was of brave staff who had gone to war. He said 145 local employees had enlisted to fight, willing to sacrifice all, and that 23 of them would sadly never come home again. Names of another three souls – including the only female casualty, Nannie Menzies Roberts – from World War II, 1939-1945, and later added to the memorial brought the body count to 26. The plaque remained on the Co-op facade for decades until that building was demolished around 2006. Although the memorial found a new home, the exterior wall of the Perth Memorial Club in Skinnergate, it was short lived as the cash-strapped club that was created in 1946 closed for good on April 2 last year. As the venue was no longer owned by members, the plaque faced an uncertain future, but now thanks to the club’s former secretary, Roy Whitehead (74), the memorial is about to get a permanent home – in Perth’s Garden of Remembrance. If he had not acted, the plaque – being stored by the council – could have been mothballed indefinitely. “I decided I had to do something about it,” explained the retired Perth High School chemistry teacher. Contacting the Co-op, he was put in touch with Funeralcare regional manager, Andrew Beveridge, who immediately agreed to help, arranging for the plaque to be professionally restored and a mounting plinth made. He told the PA that it was the least the Society could do to honour its employees who had made the ultimate sacrifice. “We are delighted to assist in any way possible in this worthwhile project and I think that the garden of remembrance is a perfect final resting place, next to the other war memorials,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Whitehead has organised a special ceremony to re-dedicate the 91-year-old plaque at the North Inch site near the flood gates on Friday, May 28, headed up by the Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross and our new Provost. Guests will include clergy and members of the armed forces – including the Black Watch – newly elected councillors, army and air cadets and pupils representing Perth’s four secondary schools to read out names of the fallen. But the biggest headache facing the organiser is how to track down and invite descendants of the brave souls honoured on the plaque, with a concerted effort so far only locating family members of three heroes. “The three I’ve been able to find live in Perthshire but it’s not been an easy task as many may no longer have the same name or will have moved away,” he said. “But I think the relatives really ought to be there as it’s their family members we’re honouring with this ceremony, so it’s critical we find and invite as many as possible to the ceremony and civic reception.” l If you are a relative or know anyone with a connection to the following late Perth Co-operative Society employees, please email Roy Whitehead on [email protected] World War I: Edmund Adams, Peter Boyle, John Bolt, John Brough, Thomas Campbell, William Clark, John Davie, James Dick, John Fleming, Forester Squire Gowans, Duncan Goy, James Gordon Griffith, Archibald Forbes Haxton, Robert Heggie, David Hinshelwood, James Kippen, Terence Maley, George McLaughlan, James McLeish, John Norwell, Robert Robertson, Thomas Simmie and John Taylor. World War II: Duncan McDougall, Harold Walker and Nannie Menzies Roberts.

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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© WMR-57679

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