THE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH : Monday, 5th September 1921
WAR MEMORIALS :
Two Unveiled at Port-Glasgow :
AN EAST-END TRIBUTE
At the weekend two war memorials were unveiled at Port-Glasgow, and a third, situated in Fore Street, is nearing completion. An outstanding feature at both was that the principals taking part were all on active service.
OLD TOLL BOYS' TABLET
The attendance at Glasgow Road on Saturday afternoon was not far short of three
thousand young and old, who had gathered to do honour to the memory of
twenty-nine young men belonging to the Old Toll district who fell during the
war. The memorial takes the form of a cast bronze tablet mounted on grey
granite, and is the work of Mr Archd. Hamilton, 70 Glassford Street, Glasgow.
It
has been placed on the wall of the new red sandstone building at No. 5 Glasgow
Road, immediately adjoining Caledonia Street. This is the exact spot where stood
the Old Toll House, from which the boys take their name. Below the tablet was a
floral tribute of variegated flowers. The inscription is; "Erected in grateful
memory of the Toll boys who fell in the Great War. Their names liveth for ever."
The following names are on the memorial:-
Messrs W. Burnside, R.G.A.; N. Collins, P. Cooper, S. Gilmour, R. Graham, S.
Kane, J. Love, J. McGhie, J. McKay, D. Mooney, A. Orr, S. Ptolomey, Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders; J. Kincaid, A. Logan, A. McKay, G. Potter, Cameron
Highlanders; J. Rorrison, Seaforth Highlanders; F. McCorkindale, Royal Scots; A.
Cooper, Royal Scots
Greys; J. Logan, H.L.I.; R. McLean, Inniskilling Fusiliers; J. Duffy, S.
Mitchell, S. Gourlay, Naval Division; C. Simpson, D. Wilson, Royal Navy; J.
Shields, Royal Field Artillery; T. Walker, Durham Light Infantry; W. Tanner,
Howitzer Brigade.
A small platform was erected in front of the tenement, and on it were the
company to take part in the ceremony, including Rev. Herbert Reid, M.C.; Messrs
William Ramsay (who presided), Samuel Mackay, Robert Barr and John Lewis.
Mr Ramsay, in the course of a few opening remarks, said that on such a solemn
occasion it was natural that their sympathies should go out to the relatives and
friends of the dead heroes. Through their sorrow there was the feeling of pride
in the comrades, and gratitude for what they did. That pride was all the greater
when it was remembered that these twenty-nine heroes were Old Toll Boys. These
gallant men had not been found wanting; they obeyed the call in 1914, and
acquitted themselves like men. It was only natural that the Old Toll boys at
home should desire to place on record for the inspection of all time the names
of the heroes. Many of the old boys went into the great adventure willingly, not
knowing that great suffering, even death, was before them. If the deeds of these
brave men helped to make it impossible for great nations to war against each
other, then their sacrifice would not be in vain. Already was there established
a League of Nations, which was a step in the right direction. If they made
"Trust" the watchword of all nations people might then look for the dawning of
the day about which the national bard wrote - that man to man the world o'er
would brothers be for all that.
The Old Toll Boys at home had during the war collected £66 15s. Of that 28s went
to thirty-eight men serving, the same to a nurse and a W.A.A.C., and a similar
amount lodged in the bank for three prisoners of war.
Rev. Mr Reid dedicated the tablet with an impressive prayer, and paid a tribute
to the brave young men. Mr Lewis, who lost both legs at the war, and has
artificial limbs, performed the unveiling ceremony.
Trumpeter Harkness, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, sounded the "Last Post,"
and Port-Glasgow and District Pipe Band struck up "The Flowers o' the Forest."
Bailie Cochran, in the name of the committee, handed over to Mr Lewis a gold
medal as a memento of the occasion, and made a few remarks eulogistic of the
patriotism and gallantry displayed by the men of the Toll district in the
strenuous war years. He had no doubt if the occasion again arose those left
would do the same as in the past.
Mr Lewis briefly returned thanks.
The medal has a representation of the old toll-house as it stood before
demolition.
The large assemblage dispersed after singing the National Anthem.
On Saturday night and yesterday many people visited the district to get a look
at the memorial.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE
Yesterday forenoon a special unveiling and dedication service of a Roll of
Honour and Communion table was held in the Congregational Church, and was
attended by a large congregation. There was special music for the occasion, and
the sermon was preached by Rev. G. Paterson Graham (the minister).
In the course of his remarks Mr Graham said they were too near the "world
catastrophe" to value aright all that their brave men had achieved for them, but
ere long they would know the worth of their work; what was their contribution to
the general good, and how by their sacrifice they forwarded the Kingdom of God.
They would be compelled to look back over the path they trod. They were gone but
were not lost to them, for the Master said that "He that loseth his life findeth
it". There was ... [end of cutting]
The Port Glasgow Express, Wednesday, 31 August 1921
The Port Glasgow Express, Friday 2
September 1921The Greenock Telegraph, Monday, 5 September 1921
The Port Glasgow Express, Wednesday, 7 September
1921