Cumbrae War Memorial

On the 15th of October, 1922, the Cumbrae War Memorial was unveiled in Millport by Colonel Colin McLeod Robertson, D.S.O.

In February 1922 the War Memorial Committee held a public consultation to consider five suitable sites for the erection of the war memorial.  These were Glasgow Street, Kames Bay, Guildford Street, the corner of the bowling green and ornamental gates at the cemetery.  Guildford Street proved to be the popular choice with 400 votes.  Permission to erect the war memorial close to the Flag Staff was given by Lord Bute.

A list of the 42 names to be inscribed on the war memorial was exhibited in the Burgh Offices from 11^th to 18^th August 1922 to ensure that no fallen military personnel were missed.

Sunday 15^th October 1922 proved to be a warm autumnal day with clear skies and bright sunshine.  The town flags, as well as those of the steamer, were lowered to half-mast.  The Largs Territorials under the command of Major Hill along with several ex-service men, travelled to Millport by motorboat.

At 2.30pm the Ex-Servicemen; Ex-Volunteers; Territorials and the Boys’ Brigade met at the Drill Hall before marching to the West United Free Church on Bute Terrace where a united service was held at 3pm.  Inside the crowded church, seating was reserved for military personnel, members of the Millport Town Council, Parish Council, the County Council, the School Management Committee and District Committee, etc. 

A united choir led the praise with Thomas Jack at the organ.  The prayers were led by Rev. James Frame of the West United Free Church, Rev. David B. Nicoll, M.A. of the East United Free Church, and Rev. R.O.P. Taylor, Provost of the Cathedral of the Isles.  The sermons were delivered by Rev. R.O.P. Taylor, M.A., Mr Struthers of the Baptist Church and Rev. David B. Nicoll.

After the final hymn, the congregation marched down to the War Memorial in the following order:  Boys’ Brigade, Territorials, ex-Service men; Colonel Colin McLeod Robertson, D.S.O., the officiating clergymen, War Memorial Committee; the public bodies, the choir and finally the congregation.

At the War Memorial, seating was provided for the relatives of the men named on the War Memorial.  The church service continued at the memorial where the congregation sang the 46^th Psalm.  Music was provided by organist Mr A.D. Love, and the choir was conducted by William McKee.

Provost Robertson, after reading the apologies of those who could not attend, introduced Colonel Colin McLeod Robertson, D.S.O., a native of Millport, and handed over a silver key which Colonel Robertson used to open and unveil the war memorial.  “Amid a deep and reverent silence” the names of the war dead were read out by Captain J. C. M. Murray during which the service personnel stood to attention.  The Brigade Band then played ‘The Flowers of the Forest’ followed by the ‘Last Post and Reveille’, performed by trumpeter Sergeant Morrison of the Bute Battery.  Colonel Robertson then gave a speech, followed by a prayer of dedication by Rev. James Frame.

Ex-Provost Cockburn on behalf of the War Memorial Committee handed over the memorial to the care of Millport Town Council which Provost Robertson accepted on behalf of the Council.

The War Memorial, sculpted by Mr R. Gray of Glasgow, is built of silver-grey granite, and bears the inscription “To the memory of our heroic dead, 1914-1919”.  The pinnacle of the war memorial is surmounted by a lion sejant, holding the coat of arms of the Burgh of Millport.   Inscribed on the panels are the names of the 42 Millport men who gave their lives during the First World War.

Sadly, the Cumbrae War Memorial reveals that two Millport families lost more than one son. 

David and Margaret Forrest, formerly of 25 Glasgow Street, Millport lost three sons.  Ernest (28) died on 22 April 1916 and is buried in the Railway Dugout Burial Ground, Belgium.  William (22) died 25 May 1917, and James (34) died 01 April 1918.  They have no known graves and are commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France. James and Margaret Paton of 16½ Glasgow Street, Millport lost two sons.  Alexander Paton died 20 July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.  Robert Shepherd Paton (30) died 03 February 1918 and is buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, France.  The Paton’s also lost son-in-law John Williamson (36), husband of their daughter Agnes, who died on 19 January 1918 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, France.