A SILENT YET SPEAKING WITNESS
War Memorials in churches, schools, works and other public buildings
In 2014 and for the following five years we will be commemorating the events associated with the First World War. The ramifications of the war were immense and are still reflected in modern society. There are still tangible physical markers to the devastation reaped on the population of the Falkirk district – memorials that were designed to remind us of the cost in human lives and suffering. War memorials were erected in every town and village in prominent, often tranquil, locations. These form the focus of communal remembrance. The men and women who served during the war were often members of smaller close-knit groups, such as churches, clubs or works. These too were concerned to preserve the memory of the contribution made to the great fight for liberty and freedom. The memorials tend to be smaller in scale, and offer a greater diversity in form. They range from bronze or stone plaques, to iron gates, stained glass windows, beds in hospitals, paper scrolls, books and furniture such as tables. They are generally less accessible than the village memorials and so we hope that by bringing them together in this inventory we can highlight their role in the community’s expiation of the horrors of war. Second World War memorials have been included as part of the same project. The work of collecting and collating the information is being undertaken by Geoff Bailey, Keeper of Archaeology & Local History, based in Callendar House. At this stage it is a “work in progress” and we would welcome help from the public. If you are able to contribute to the material we would be pleased to hear from you – contact geoff.bailey@falkirkcommunitytrust.org We have also been in touch with groups, such as Falkirk Old and St Modan’s Church, and Larbert Church, who are compiling information about the people on these memorials. This is a lengthy process and may take several years. The individuals listed on the memorials were not just names and so we hope to be able to incorporate this additional information into the records over the coming years. The website will be updated at regular intervals to keep everyone informed of the progress of the work.
The inventory has been laid out more or less according to the old parishes, that is: Bo’ness – Carriden Parish Church, St Andrew’s Church, Bo’ness Old Church, Craigmailen Church Bothkennar – Bothkennar Parish Church, Denny – St Alexander’s Church, Dunipace Parish Church, Dunipace UF Church, Bonnybridge Parish Church, Carrongrove Paper mill. Falkirk – Falkirk Old & St Modan’s, Christ Church, EU Church, Grahams Rd Church, Falkirk West Church, Erskine Church, St James Church, Irving Church (& St John’s Camelon), Falkirk Masonic Temple, Falkirk Infirmary, Falkirk High School, Falkirk Iron Works, Laurieston School, St Andrew’s Church, Carmuirs merchant Navy, etc Grangemouth – Kerse Church, Grangemouth West Church, Charing cross Church, Muirhead’s Woodyard, Grangemouth Rachabite Hall 1