Eight war memorials across East Dunbartonshire have been returned to their former glory, thanks to great partnership working between War Memorials Trust and East Dunbartonshire Council.
Bearsden, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch, Campsie, Twechar, Baldernock, Auchinairn and Bishopbriggs war memorials have benefited from grants totalling £117,030 from the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government with the Council contributing another £39,010.
The grants enabled repair and conservation work to be carried out in time for this year’s Remembrance Day events which will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
The works were carried out over a four year period with Bearsden and Milngavie the first to receive grant awards, which allowed cleaning, waxing and buffing of the bronze statues, cleaning and re-pointing of the stone plinths, as well as repairing the broken stonework around the memorials.
At Kirkintilloch War Memorial the six bronze plaques were cleaned and treated, the four ironwork gates were repaired and repainted and the whole memorial was re-pointed with lime mortar while the gold leaf work was reinstated so that the war memorial now closely resembles what it would have looked like when it was first unveiled in 1925.
Campsie War Memorial needed cleaning and re-pointing, as well as repair work to its ironwork gates and stonework.
To complete the restoration project, works were carried out on Twechar, Baldernock, Auchinairn and Bishopbriggs earlier this year. The remaining two memorials - Torrance and Milton of Campsie - did not require intensive works.
As well as being fully conserved these historical structures now incorporate a very modern crime-fighting security system called Smart Water. All bronze work on both memorials is now coated with this new forensically traceable DNA liquid.
Councillor Susan Murray, Vice Convener of the Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee for East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “This work has dramatically improved these war memorials, ensuring they are fitting tributes to the residents of East Dunbartonshire who made the ultimate sacrifice when fighting for their country.
“These works were essential to ensure the war memorials are in the best possible condition for years to come and so they continue to reflect the local pride in them.
“We are proud to have been able to do this and delighted that the works have been so well received by communities across East Dunbartonshire. It is especially poignant it has happened during this time, as we mark the centenary of the First World War.”
Frances Moreton, Director, War Memorials Trust said, "War memorials are a tangible connection to our shared past creating a link between the fallen and today. It is vital we ensure all our war memorials are in the best possible condition for their age and the charity is delighted to support this project.
“The centenary of World War I is a wonderful opportunity for local communities across the country to protect and conserve their war memorials. If anyone knows of any other war memorials in need of help please contact us."
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