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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has completed work on a new home for
the Lewis war memorial plaques.
The 23 plaques in memory of those who lost their lives in the First
and Second World Wars were housed in the Stornoway War Memorial
where they were mounted inside in four chambers allotted to each
parish. Over the years gradual erosion of the fabric of the stone
and wrought iron staircase meant the memorial was closed to the
public in 1975 for safety reasons. Restoration work took place in
1982 but water still managed to cause deterioration to the building.
The plaques were taken out of the memorial and sent to the mainland
to be cleaned and plans were formulated to have these plaques mounted
externally. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Technical Services
: Consultancy was commissioned to design an area for the 23 plaques
to be seen. The design has now been implemented with the 23 plaques
mounted on stones from Marybank quarry with six stones from Bonawe
Quarry north of Oban. The stones are placed in a circle for ease
of viewing of the plaques with two benches positioned for rest and
contemplation made from elm grown locally on the island. The plaques
are placed in order of the parishes; Uig, Lochs, Barvas and Stornoway
for the 16 First World War plaques and 7 Second World War plaques
mounted on the right as you enter the area. There are 1151 names
of those who lost their lives in the 1st World War and 376 names
of those who gave their lives for the country during World War II.
Vice-Convener Roddy Murray said:
“The area is a simple but significant tribute to those who
lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Special thanks are due to Stornoway Trust for leasing the area to
the Comhairle, to the Contractor, Aggregate Industries, for their
skill and dedication and also a thank you to the landscape Contractor,
Silver Birch Tree Services.
The public display of the plaques will serve as a poignant reminder
to future generations of Islanders of the supreme sacrifice made
by those who fell in two World Wars in order that we might enjoy
our freedom".
There is a stone at the entrance to the circle onto which the Stornoway
Historical Society will mount a plaque giving a brief history of
the War Memorial and the plaques.
Local Councillor Angus Nicolson said:
“I am glad that there is now a special area dedicated to
the names of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and
for all who remember them”.
Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
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