Memorial details

Memorial type
Obelisk
District
City Of Edinburgh
Town
Gilmerton
County
Lothian
Country
Scotland
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 4 September 1920
    Attended by: Sir David Baird, Baronet, of Nowbyth
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
88830

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Current location

6
Gilmerton and Moredun Tron Kirk
Ravenscroft Street
Gilmerton
City Of Edinburgh
Lothian
EH17 8QL
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: NT 29253 68564
Denomination: Church of Scotland

View location on Google Maps
Description
A granite obelisk on a 2 stage base. The WW1 names are inscribed on the front face, the WW2 names are on a bronze plaque on the top base of the front face.
Inscription
ERECTED IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE/WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING & COUNTRY/IN THE GREAT WAR FOR FREEDOM & LIBERTY/1914-----------1918/[names in 2 columns] WW2 Plaque-AND OF THOSE WHO FELL/1939 IN THE WORLD WAR 1945/[names in 3 columns] [Lead Lettering in the stonework below this plaque]-"THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVE FOR EVER"
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Affleck, Henry
Alexander, John
Allan, James
Allan, Wm.
Allan, Wm.
Bain, H
Beale, Henry
Brown, Charles
Brown, James
Burton, Alex.
See details for all 64 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 49
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 49
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, forenames, rank
    Order of information: surname THEN forename
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 15
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 15
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames, decorations
    Order of information: surname THEN forename
Components
  • Obelisk
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Granite
  • Steps
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Granite
  • Base
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Granite
  • Second World War memorial
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Bronze
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Reference
  • warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8374&mforum=warmemscot
  • A MEMORIAL stone to the men of the district who fell in the late war was unveiled on Saturday afternoon in the grounds of the Parish Church, Gilmerton. Mr W.T. Dow presided over a large gathering. Among those present were Sir David Baird, Bart. of Nowbyth; Brigadier-General Gordon Gilmour, C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O.; the Rev A. M. Snadden, Gilmerton; and the Rev George Dodds, Liberton. A large number of relatives of the fallen soldiers were also present, as well as a detachment of ex-service men and the Gilmerton Brass Band. The Chairman said they recalled the loss which the district has sustained in the death of 49 of their young men. The memory of these losses to the families immediately affected would not be easily erased, but to others “lest we forget” were whispered not so often as they might be. To remind them and generations yet unborn of the debt of gratitude they owed to these men, it had been decided to erect a memorial in their own village. Sir David Baird, in unveiling the stone, referred to the connection which he and his forebears had had, both with the district and with the Army. During the war, whilst serving with his regiment, he had, he said, seen many men depart, and it was those who had not returned that they were gathered together to honour. Theirs was the struggle and theirs should be the reward. They were ready to die in the hope of making a happier world, and it was for those who were left to see that their lives had not been given in vain. The names of the fallen were read, after which the “Last Post” was sounded and “Lochaber no more” played. Several floral tributes were placed at the foot of the stone, as well as a wreath of laurel leaves from the ex-service men. Brigadier-General Gordon Gilmour proposed a vote of thanks to Sir David Baird and to the chairman, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.” The Scotsman 6th September 1920, page 4.

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-88830

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