War Memorials

The Archaeology Service has started a programme of systematically recording all the war memorials in Aberdeenshire.

Alex Garden, who has given up a lot of his time to travelling around the area, is assisting us in this project.

Notes on their condition are being taken, and where possible, the name of the sculptor. Photographs of all views, showing the names on each memorial and details of decoration are also being taken and catalogued.

A number of them are showing lettering deterioration, and in at least one case, quite substantial damage to the actual memorial itself.

The variety of design is quite remarkable, from a simple small plaque to a large impressive structure.

Working on this project has been a sobering experience when looking at the age of many of the young soldiers, sailors and airmen killed during both wars. It has also shown how devastating the effect of the wars must have been on rural populations, with many names from the same families being recorded.

Copies of the finished forms and photographs will be forwarded to the National Inventory of War Memorials and the National Monuments Record of Scotland when the Project finishes.

Edinglassie War Memorial

Although this memorial commemorates the people of the Parish who lost their lives in World War I, it is unusual in that it is also a memorial to all the people of the Parish who took part in World War II, even though everyone returned safely.

This is one of the very few, if not the only one, to bear such an inscription.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drumoak War Memorial

 

 

Tough War Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longside War Memorial

 

 

Foveran War Memorial