Memorial details

Memorial type
Obelisk
District
Kyle And Carrick
Town
Ayr
County
Strathclyde
Country
Scotland
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945), Second World War - civilians
Maker
J. Kennedy Hunter of Ayr (Designer)
H. H. Martyn and Co. (Founder / Foundry)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 13 April 1924
    Attended by: Sir Hugh M Trenchard
  • Rededicated
    Date: 11 November 1956
    Attended by: Undefined
  • Dedicated
    Date: 13 April 1924
    Attended by: Revd W Cairns Duncan
  • Show More (2)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
8834

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Current location

Wellington Square
Ayr
Kyle And Carrick
Strathclyde
KA7 1HL
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: NS 33412 21756
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
Obelisk built of individual stone blocks with stepped top and square plinth, on eight stepped base. Plaques around each side of plinth.
Inscription
Panel 1-IN EVER-GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THE ROYAL BURGH/ OF AYR WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE CAUSE OF/ FREEDOM AND HONOUR DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919/ (NAMES in 4 columns) Epitaph Panel-THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD,/ AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM, NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN/ AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING,/ WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM. Each of 3 Plaques- [WW1 names in 4 columns] WW2 Dedication Plaque-AND OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE WORLD WAR/ 1939-1945 Each of 11 main plaques- [WW2 names in 2 columns] Each of 2 additional names plaques- [WW2 names in 2 columns]
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Adam, Matthew
Adam, Walter W
Adams, James
Agnew, Peter
Aitken, James
Alexander, James Edward
Allan, Hugh Bryan
Allan, Jas. C
Allan, William
Anderson, David
See details for all 1070 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 802
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 802
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, forenames, regiment
    Order of information: Regiment THEN surname
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 254
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 254
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, forenames, service
    Order of information: surname
  • Second World War - civilians
    Total names on memorial: 14
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 14
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, forenames, service
    Order of information: Surname
Components
  • Obelisk
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone
  • First World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • First World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • First World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Second World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Second World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
  • Second World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
Condition
History
2008 War Memorials Trust Grant-There were a number of issues with this memorial which were affecting its appearance and condition. On the lower plinth and steps, the mortar was loose and joints were letting in water. The bronze panels had also become corroded. In addition, there had been a significant amount of algae and lichen build up on the upper parts of the obelisk. Lichens are a symbiotic organism, usually made up of three organisms, the main one being fungus. The fungus feeds off the algae, which grows on damp stone. Although it may look unsightly to some, this is a natural process and cleaning must be undertaken with care. Over-cleaning can damage the surface of the stone and make re-growth more rapid. War Memorials Trust and Historic Scotland gave a grant of £5,186 towards cleaning and re-pointing the memorial. A biocide was used on the surface of the stone to keep the algae at bay
Costs

Memorial: c£2,000

Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Sponsorship
Public
Responsibility
Handed over to Ayr Town Council at the unveiling
Reference

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.

This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.

This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:

© WMR-8834

For queries, please contact [email protected].