Turriff Memorial Gate

Taken from front entrance - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Side view - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Close up of inscription - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names inside Memorial archway - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names inside Memorial archway - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Plaque on Wall to left of Memorial - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names on plaque - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names on plaque - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names on plaque - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Names on plaque - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Name on plaque - Taken by Malcolm Beverley 09 Jul 2018

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Roof inside arch - Taken by FriendsofTurriffcemetery 28 Jan 2019

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Rear of arch - Taken by Frindsofturriffcemetery 28 Jan 2019

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RHS of arch - Taken by Friendsofturriffcemetery 28 Jan 2019

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Newly cleaned WW2 memorial - Taken by Friends of Turriff Cemetery 14 Oct 2019

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External view - Taken by Morag Lightning 31 Dec 2019

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Internal names - Taken by Morag Lightning 31 Dec 2019

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Internal names - Taken by Morag Lightning 31 Dec 2019

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Additional name - Taken by Morag Lightning 31 Dec 2019

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Turrif - Taken by Leslie 26 Mar 2024

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Turrif - Taken by Leslie 26 Mar 2024

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Turrif - Taken by Leslie 26 Mar 2024

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Turrif - Taken by Leslie 26 Mar 2024

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Turrif - Taken by Leslie 26 Mar 2024

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Reference WMO/217195

Address:

The Cemetery

Balmellie Road

Turriff

AB53 4DG

Scotland

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War Memorials Trust case: War Memorials Trust needs to avoid Contributors changing location/description details as we help to protect and conserve this war memorial through our casework. You can still add photographs, update condition and use the tabs below. If you believe any of the information you cannot edit is wrong or information is missing, please make a note of the reference number and include it in your email when you contact us.

Status: On original site

Type: Freestanding

Location: External

Setting: Roadside

Description: Gate

Materials:

Metal Bronze
Stone Sandstone

Lettering: Raised

Conflicts:

First World War (1914-1918)
Second World War (1939-1945)

About the memorial: The Turriff war memorial takes the form of a red sandstone gothic style archway forming the cemetery gate. The arch is roofed and the commemoration and names of the dead are carved into the face of the walls inside. The names of the WWII dead are listed on an additional bronze panel.I'm not sure if this is an older structure that has been adapted to create a war memorial, otherwise if it was constructed as a memorial in the 1920's then the red sandstone is weathering badly. The names carved into one of the walls were badly eroded on my last visit in the early 1990's and unfotunately I was unable to transcribe the names. Hopefully there has been some restoration work since then? Because of this I only have a list of the WWII names below. (c SWMP) See SWMP Link for photos and WW2 names. Unveiled 9 May 1926 (report in Comments)

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Comments:

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 12 May 1926

TURRIFF WAR MEMORIAL. Unveiling Ceremony. Sir G. Abercromby's Address. 
On Sunday (May 9) the war memorial erected in memory of those men from the Parish of Turriff who fell in the great war, was unveiled by Colonel Sir George W. Abercromby Bt, D.S.O., of Birkenbog and Forglen, and officer commanding the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. 
A large company, including Turriff Town Council, Turriff Parish Council, D Company,6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (with a colour party from Keith), Turriff Pipe Band and Turriff Brass Band, Turriff ex-servicemen, Boy Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, Boys’ Reserves, Cubs, St Congan’s Lodge of Freemasons, Loyal Order of the Ancient Shepherds etc., lined in front in front of the Council chambers, and marched to  the memorial—a gate- way with arch forming an entry to the cemetery.
A large assembly from Turriff and the surrounding district was present, including Mr Garden A. Duff of Meldrum, Lieut.-Col. Garden B. Duff, D.S.O., Hatton Castle; Lieut.-Col J.J. George, Macduff, chairman, Banffshire Territorial Army Association; Commander Peace, Admiralty officer for Banff district; Mr Julian Ainslie and Miss Amalie Grant Duff of Delgaty Castle; etc. The platform party was —Provost Christie, who presided; Colonel Sir George W. Abercromby and the Rev. Duncan Maclaren, 
Transforming Sacrifice. 
Provost Christie said it was a privilege and the sacred duty of every one to witness the unveiling of the memorial which was to commemorate to this generation and many generations to come, the sacrifice made by the young  men who lived in Turriff and parish and  went forth from it to uphold the honour of their country in the great war.
The memorial took the form of an arch, which was symbolical of entry and triumph to a fuller life. The figure of St Congan, with which it was surmounted on the south gable, commemorated that saintly monk of generations long gone by, whose life was spent teaching their forefathers the story of victory by self-sacrifice, and whose religious house was situated near that place. The cross, which dominated the whole, was emblematic of the great sacrifice which uplifted all mankind, and which they believed would yet transform the world. 
SIR GEORGE ABERCROMBY.
Sir George Abercromby said it was now eight years since the conclusion of hostilities and there must be many in Turriff who were too young realise what their country passed through from 1914 to 1918, and also to realise what that memorial meant, not only to those who took part in the war, but also to those who lost relatives during those terrible years. In 1914 they little knew what they were in for; no one had any idea that the war was going to last for more than four years, and to what an enormous extent the manhood of the country would be drained in replacing heavy casualties. But was quite certain that they had had that knowledge, it would not have deterred those brave lads who rushed to join the colours in aid of their country when war was declared, any more that it did those who came forward later in the war, when it was fully realised what an enormous and difficult undertaking was before them.
To his mind, it was impossible for them to pay any adequate tribute, either in words or deeds, to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the great war. Practically, the only thing they could do was to commemorate their memory, so that generations to come might realise something of their feelings towards those who fought for our country, and also that ha they might have continually before them what their ancestors did when their country was in trouble. When they looked at the record of those of Turriff who those served the war, so carefully compiled by Mr Minto Robertson, they had every reason to be proud, and he was sure that no parish would produce a finer record. 
Not Given in Vain
To those relatives of their heroes who were still with them, he offered their deepest sympathy. Words would do little to repair their loss, and they could only assure those they would do their utmost to see that those lives which were given up for their country were not given up in vain. They gave up their lives so that our country might be a free country and a better country for all. And whether troubles arose abroad or at home, they should remember that and might that memorial which they were about to unveil help to keep in their minds.
Sir George then unveiled the memorial, after which Mr Maclaren performed the dedication ceremony and offered up a dedicatory prayer. The roll honour was called by Major W. Lyall, followed by the “Last Post," sounded by Bandsman Bannerman and the Lament by Pipe-Major Findlater V.C. 
Sir George then placed a wreath at the base of the memorial. This was followed by one from the relatives of the fallen placed by Mrs Christie, wife of Provost Christie. Other wreaths were from D Company 6th Battalion Gordon High- Parish Council, Turriff ex-service men, St Congan’s Masonic Lodge, Turriff B.B. and Guides etc.

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Inscription:

Inside Arch: WW1 Names Bronze plaque alongside: THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US/1939-1945/[names in 4 columns]

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