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, has assisted 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.

Glass War Memorial

This war memorial commemorates those from the Parish of Glass who took part in World War I. It is a tall, rough blocked granite memorial shaped in a cross, surmounted by a decorated cross, standing on a one step plinth, with angled plaques half way up bearing names of the dead. It also commemorates the safe return of all men and women of the parish from World War II. It is thought to be only memorial which bears this as no one was killed. Unveiled June 3 1921.