Remembrance Sunday

For today, the 11th of the 11th I wanted to featured one of the many war memorials that can be found in every town and city of the U.K. Even little hamlets like Kirkurd have their one as can be seen here and the text tells the story of the Great War in miniature.

Here it is in full:

Through distant ages sire to son

shall tell the tale of freedom won

To the glory of God and in proud and grateful memory of brave lives

given for others in the Great War 1914 - 1919

Alexander David Gibson Carmichael

Sub. Lieut. R.N. lost in submarine

23rd Aug. 1916, aged 21

Thomas Alexander Grant Miller

Lieut. 1sy KOSB, killed in Gallipolli

28th April 1915, aged 21

Archibald William Buchanan Miller

Lieut. 1sy KOSB attached RAF killed over Gheluvelt

Belgium, 13th July 1917 aged 21

Robert Dickson

Lieut. acting captain D.C.M. 7th Durham L.I. killed in France

27th May 1918 aged 26

William Ballantyne

Sec. Lieut. 2nd Black Watch. Killed at Hulluch

France 13th Oct. 1915. Aged 25.

John Ballantyne

PTE Australian Imperial Force, killed in France

30th Spet. 1918, aged 36

William Telfer

PTE army cyclists corps, died of wounds in France

1st Oct. 1916 aged 20

David Henderson Welsh

PTE 8th R.S. died of wounds in England

14th Aug. 1916 aged 22. 

Erected by the heritors

members and adherents 

of Kirkurd Parish Church and relatives of those commemorated.

Unveiled by Lady Carmichael

27th Sept. 1919.

This memorial can be found along the A701 by the turning to Netherurd House. 

Kirkurd Graveyard

Kirkurd is a very small community of a few houses and farms but it does have a lovely church, build in 1766, surrounded by a graveyard with some very old gravestones. The Border hills loom up behind it and the setting (as is usual for graveyards) in the landscape is lovely. It's strange (at least to me, in this day and age) that the dead usually had the best view, despite not being able to enjoy it. But of course when these dead were buried, belief in the Resurrection was universal and I suppose rising from the grave again and then being greeted with a wonderful view was something to strive for.

This is the church door, which is firmly closed to all comers, although strangely enough it does have a very modern spotlight above it, much to my irritation as it spoils the picture! The church is no longer in use and seems instead to be utilized for storage (yes, John and I had a very close look!). The stained glass windows are protected from the outside by some sort of metal mesh, and I suspect they are gorgeous, if only we could have a look from the inside.

The above detail of the door became my blip for today and I strongly feel it's also a quilt in the making one of these days. What exquisite detailing, made more beautiful by time passing over it. Distress and decay have added sadness and nostalgia.

Inside the graveyard there is a separate little building dedicated to the Carmichael family which is adorned with little wall plaques, of which this skull is the best preserved one. There is also a hand holding a sword, as well as a pelican feeling its young on its own blood. Both well know religious symbols. It won't be much longer before these carvings will disappear completely.

A great gravestone with symbols of both mortality and immortality combines. On the left mortality with the skull and crossbones, and on the right immortality in the shape of the winged soul making it's way to heaven. On top of both the inscription: Memento Mori.

The text can barely be read now and I have the Peeblesshire Monumental Inscriptions book, compiled by Sheila A. Scott, 1993 (and would you believe I bought this book from a genealogical research place in Australia!!!) to thank for the full text which reads:

Here lyes John Ritchie who died Sept 7th 1703 his age 58

Finally this grave monument, dedicated to a Minister. Their gravestones and/or monuments can usually be found closest to the church walls, or actually against it, as in this case.I suppose it was one of the perks of the job! The text on the stone refers to some historic religious church split of which there have been many here in Scotland. Here it is:

"In Memory of the Rev'd Walter Paterson ordained at Kirkurd in 1837, died 22nd June 1849, aged 59. The church highly esteemed him for his great talents, learning and integrity and his bereaved flock lament the loss of a kind friend and faithful minister.

In the memorable struggle of 1843 he joyfully cast his lot with those who suffered for the rights of the Christian people and the crown-rights of their Redeemer.

Erected by the Free Church Congregation of Kirkurd in 1851.