Restoring memorials to the fallen

PARISH NEWS

CHURCHES are being urged to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War by making sure their war memorials remain a fitting tribute to the fallen.

Funding is available from the War Memorials Trust for the repair, conservation and refurbishment of memorials, whatever their nature and size.

Two Scottish churches which have recently taken advantage of this funding are Bourock Parish Church, Barrhead, and Northesk Parish Church in Musselburgh.

The memorial at Bourock was formally rededicated after restoration at a service on Sunday September 2.

The memorial, carved out of pink Corrennie granite, was erected in 1920 to commemorate the 49 men of the church and parish who died in the First World War.

The names of 16 members who died during the Second World War were added in the late 1940s.

Over the spring and summer, work was carried out to completely refurbish it, revealing the original pink colour of the granite and ensuring the names are now easy to read.

The service of rededication incorporated some of the hymns used in the original dedication service in September 1920 and afterwards the congregation moved outside to the memorial where a short service was held including the reading of the names of all the men commemorated on the memorial.

During the service a wreath was laid by Isobel Alexander, whose two uncles, James and George Ellingham, died in the First World War and whose names appear on the memorial.

The memorial at Northesk bears the names of 85 people connected with the parish who fell during the First World War, including one woman, Nurse Helen Wood. It was originally unveiled and dedicated on December 29 1919.

The refurbishment involved removing damaged lacquers from the brass and heavy varnish from the hardwood frame.

Pitting and oxidisation of the brass was also polished out and the whole memorial protected with two layers of a micro crystalline based Renaissance wax.

Relatives of those named on the memorial are invited to the rededication at the Remembrance Service to be held in the church on November 11.

Isobel Alexander and the Rev Pamela Gordon at the Bourock Parish Church war

Frances Moreton, Director of the War Memorials Trust said: “War memorials are a tangible connection to our shared past, creating a link between the fallen and today. It is vital we ensure all our war memorials are in the best possible condition for their age and the charity is delighted to support this project.

“The centenary of World War 1 is a wonderful opportunity for local communities across the country to preserve and conserve their war memorials. If anyone knows of any other war memorials in need of help please contact us.”

The War Memorials Trust can be contacted on 020 7233 7356, 0300 123 076, 07586 920 153 or grants@warmemorials.org

For further information on the funding available, visit www.warmemorials.org/grants

This article appears in the November 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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