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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

First Village Memorial


William Stevenson

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At the end of last year, I had a topic in the forum, Called "No Village Memorial". At that time I was searching for names of servicemen from the village of Cowie, Stirling, Scotland, who had made the supreme sacrifice in the two world wars, with the help of the forum I eventualy found 75 men from the village who lost their lives. I now wish to inform the forum that a War Memorial is being unveiled in the village to those men who had not been remembered. A Dedication Service and Parade will take place on Sunday 24th. September, 2006, the 91st. Anniversary of the "Battle of Loos", where six Cowie men lost their lives between the 25th. and 26th. September, 1915. The military co-ordinator is Major Robert Elliot, H.H.Q. A. & S. Highlanders, The Castle, Stirling. The parade commander is W.O.1. Regimental Sergeant Major A.G. McAlaney, R.S.M. 7th. Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Participating Bands will be The Central Military Band of The Royal British Legion Scotland, and The Balaklava Pipes and Drums, Stirling. The unveiling will be by The Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Mrs, Marjory McLachlan, a further address will be given by The Provost of The City of Stirling Colin O'Brien J.P. The service will be conducted by The Rev. William Izett and Father Jamie Boyle from the local churches. The times are as follows, the military will form up in Cowie Puplic Park, Next to Cowie Church at 12.30 p.m. Parade to the memorial for approx. 1.25 p.m. a fly-past salute by a Tornado from 43 Squadron, R.A.F. Leuchars and the unveiling will take place at 1.35 p.m. followed by the Dedication Service finishing approx. 2.15 p.m. all ex-servicemen and members of the puplic who can make it are welcome to attend, to give a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives. Parking will be available for the Parade at Norbord Factory, Cowie. Also for those less mobile at Cowie Primary School which is only approx 50 yards from the memorial. The parade distance is 550 meters. Thank you once again to all members of the forum who assisted me. William Stevenson. e-mail w.stevenson3@ntlworld.com

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Well bloody well done William

I second Malcolm's comments - superb :P

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Superb.. if you feel as good as I did when they unveiled the new Ingatestone war memorial then you will be over the moon!!

Super job

John

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Well bloody well done William, I may try and make the parade.

Aye

Malcolm

Thank you Malcolm, it was a labour of love, hope you can make it. Willie.

I second Malcolm's comments - superb :P

Thank you Derek. Willie.

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Superb.. if you feel as good as I did when they unveiled the new Ingatestone war memorial then you will be over the moon!!

Super job

John

Thanks John. Willie.

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Congratulations on all your efforts. I hope the unveiling goes well and I'm sure forum members would like to see any photographs of the event.

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Congratulations on all your efforts. I hope the unveiling goes well and I'm sure forum members would like to see any photographs of the event.

Thanks Andrew I will do my best to get photos. Willie.

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well done,

always remembering

Mandy

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Guest KevinEndon

Willie, me and my son will be in attendance at this momentous occassion and all the way from Stoke on Trent.

Could you give me directions from the the M8 Glasgow Airport to Cowie and once in Cowie to the area set aside for disabled drivers. Could you also give me your recommended times to be there so that I am guaranteed a disabled parking bay.

Well done on bringing the heroes of the past back into the present. I hope to recognise you on the day as the person with the biggest grin ever but with a small tear in the corner of your eye.

Kevin

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Willie,

A fantastic achievement - very well done indeed. Hope that the big day has fine weather and goes well, and that you get good media coverage - to show other villages without a memorial that it is possible. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

Mick

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Willie, me and my son will be in attendance at this momentous occassion and all the way from Stoke on Trent.

Could you give me directions from the the M8 Glasgow Airport to Cowie and once in Cowie to the area set aside for disabled drivers. Could you also give me your recommended times to be there so that I am guaranteed a disabled parking bay.

Well done on bringing the heroes of the past back into the present. I hope to recognise you on the day as the person with the biggest grin ever but with a small tear in the corner of your eye.

Kevin

Thank you very much Kevin, I think the easiest solution for you would be, as you leave the airport follow signs for Glasgow M8 continue following signs for Stirling after approx 11 miles exit at juntion 13 onto M80 Stirling and Kincardine Bridge continue following directions to Stirling exit at juntion 9 onto A91 at first roundabout turn right for Falkirk approx. 1.5 mls. first exit left signed Cowie first left again into village. Cowie Primary School car park on right approx. 800 mts. into village marshalls or police will give you directions into car park. I would suggest 12.00 P.M. to get parked in a good spot. One point you may like to note is that a cup of tea will be provided in Cowie Parish Church which is just on your right as you enter the village, that is where the parade will leave from and that is where I will be from around 12.00 P.M. make youself known to me and I will make sure you get one. Hope this helps. Willie.
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Willie,

A fantastic achievement - very well done indeed. Hope that the big day has fine weather and goes well, and that you get good media coverage - to show other villages without a memorial that it is possible. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

Mick

Thank you Mick, the media are taking an interest at the moment. Willie.
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Willie

Today, out of the blue, I got an email from a woman who had read one of my Hellfire Corner articles. In the email, she mentions that she has discovered two Great Uncles who died whilst with the HLI and who are being commemorated on a "new memorial".

Can't be more than one new memorial, can there? Spooky co-incidence or what.

John

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Willie

Today, out of the blue, I got an email from a woman who had read one of my Hellfire Corner articles. In the email, she mentions that she has discovered two Great Uncles who died whilst with the HLI and who are being commemorated on a "new memorial".

Can't be more than one new memorial, can there? Spooky co-incidence or what.

John

John I think it will be, 4266 Pte.George Steven and 4268 Pte. John Steven, both H.L.I. also on the memorial, from the same family, 2979853 Pte. David Steven, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, (Death Railway). Willie.
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You've done very well indeed. In fact, I dare say, all of us wish we could have done as much ... A hero.
Thank you Andy, as I progressed with my research, it really became a labour of love, it may sound strange but the more information I obtained the more I felt I new these men. Willie.
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Guest KevinEndon

It is going to be my privilege to lay a wreath at the new memorial on behalf of all the members of the forum.

The wreath will say. Lest we forget. Remembered by the 11,000 members of the Great War Forum.

This will be the first time since my boy scouts days that I will have laid a wreath with the true understanding of the horrors of war. No doubt I will have a tear in my eye but fingers crossed no one picks up on it.

Can I just say a big thanks to Willie for giving me the opportunity of being involved in such a momentous occasion and congratulation to everyone involved in the whole process to get this memorial built.

Well done one and all.

Kevin

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Well done indeed - I'll be at another parade remembering those who fell at Loos but will be thinking of you.

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Guest KevinEndon

post-11197-1158919401.jpg

Here is the wreath to be placed at the new memorial at Cowie.

Lest we forget. Remembered by the 11,000 members of the Great War Forum.

Hope to meet as many forum members there as possible.

Look out for me and my lad we will be wearing our DE DIGGERS BADGES.

Kevin

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thank you Kevin, I can not make it but at least with the wreath they know we do remember.

Mandy

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