War Memorial Inscription, South Beach 2 30
July 2013
On 5 May 1923, several thousand people gathered
on South Beach, Ardrossan for the dedication of the memorial to soldiers who
died in the first world war (1914-1918). The local War Memorial Committee had
commissioned the architect, Dr Macgregor Chalmers to design the memorial but
he died before the task was complete. His work was taken over by Mr J Jeffrey
Waddell who was assisted by Mr T P W Young. The sculptor was Mr James A Young
of Glasgow and the building work was done by ex-Bailie Inglis of Ardrossan.
The Shipyard Cadets Pipe Band led a procession from Hill Street to the
memorial. Groups represented included the local Company of the Territorials,
Fourth and Fifth Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, Saint Andrews
Wolf Cub Pack, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Brethren of Lodge Saint Johns number
320, Ardrossan Town Council, Ardrossan Parish Council, School Management Committee,
Saltcoats Town Council and the Memorial Committee. A second procession of officiating
ministers and the Combined Churches Choir were led to the memorial by
Ardrossan Pipe Band. Provost George McKellar addressed the crowd then invited
the Marquess of Ailsa to unveil the memorial. The Reverend R P Fairlie read
out the names of the one hundred and fifty Ardrossan men who had died in the
war. The memorial was then handed over formally to the custody of the Town Council.
Click here to see the inscription
text.