Alan Sorensen on 100 years of the Greenock war memorial

The world was a very different place 100 years ago, not least because every community was still recovering from the devastating losses of the First World War.

And yet, on the fourth of October 1924, on a Saturday afternoon, “a large assemblage of townspeople”, as the newspapers of the day described it, gathered in the Wellpark for the unveiling and dedication of the Greenock War Memorial.

The world may have been very different, but the people were much the same as we are nowadays: immensely proud of those who have paid the ultimate price of war; heartbroken at the sorrow of so many families; and very generous in raising the funds for the memorial.

I have a copy of the book produced to commemorate the event which describes the impressive design, explaining the symbolism of all the parts of the sculpture; from the intricate carved details around the Scottish two-handed sword at the top, the impressive figure of Victory in the prow of a Viking ship, right down to the St Andrew’s cross on the bronze chain and the Scottish Lions on the nailheads.

Greenock's war memorial was unveiled 100 years ago. (Image: George Munro) The bulk of the book, and its main reason for publication, however, is the list of more than 1,500 names of those who did not return from the war. They are names which are so familiar within the town to this day, and from so many addresses which still stand in the same streets we all know.

Fifteen hundred is a big number. The final total has been estimated at nearer 1,800. That is like 50 coachloads of young men leaving the town and never coming back. The tragedy of their families’ loss was compounded by the lack of a grave locally for most of them at which their loved ones could grieve.

It is perhaps no surprise that, as well as countless individual donations, so many churches, sports clubs, schools, picture houses, pubs and local businesses contributed to the considerable cost of providing a tangible memorial on which many of the battles at which their sons fought and died are inscribed.

At the dedication in 1924 the King’s personal representative, Sir Hugh Shaw Stewart, Bart., Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrew, spoke in his address of seeing “something of the finest side of human nature in the call to arms; long before conscription they saw men giving up good jobs and home comforts for the hardships of and toils of war”.

A noble sentiment, but the other side of the reality of war, the human heartache caused, was acknowledged by having the memorial unveiled by Mrs Forbes, wife of ex-Baillie John Forbes, who had lost three sons.

The Greenock war memorial is 100 years old. (Image: William Kelly/Greenock Telegraph Camera Club) This year, on Remembrance Sunday, the town will gather and representatives of so many community groups, along with individuals, will once again lay wreaths in tribute to the memory of those whose loss led to that impressive memorial being erected.

The world has indeed changed in 100 years. Warfare has changed beyond recognition, but some things haven’t: His Majesty the King will once again be represented a Deputy Lieutenants; Provost Drew McKenzie will represent the town, as his predecessor, Provost Mitchell, did in 1924; and prayers will be said by local clergy as they were by the Rev W.J. Nichol Service of the West Kirk.

Above all else, “a large assemblage of the townspeople” will join their hearts together to do what everyone did 100 years ago: remember, and look for the day when such memorials will never been needed.

Thankfully, this will never change.