The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

Location: Wellington Reformatory Farm School, Penicuik
Address: Peebles Road, Penicuik, EH26 8PT
OS Grid Ref.: NT238567
See on map: click here
UKNIWM No.: <not listed>

From The Scotsman, 28 July 1924.

WAR MEMORIALS

WELLINGTON REFORMATORY MEMORIAL

UNVEILED BY ADMIRAL TYRWHITT.

An oak memorial tablet has been placed in the schoolroom of Wellington Reformatory Farm School, Penicuik, in memory of the old boys of the school who gave their lives for their country in the war, and Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart., K.C.B., unveiled the memorial on Saturday afternoon.

Mr John Cowan, K.C., chairman of the Board of Directors, presided at the ceremony, and amongst those present were General Gordon Gilmour, Sir Robert Usher, Rev. R. C. Strang, Portobello; the Rev. J. H. Fordyce, Howgate; Col. Wm. Robertson, V.C., Edinburgh; Sir David Paulin, Bailie Buchanan, Bailie Mrs Millar, and Councillor Young, Edinburgh; Mr W.G. Miller, Clerk to the Justice of the Peace Court, Edinburgh; Major Fargus, D.S.O., Royal Scots, Glencorse; Miss M. G. Cowan, Mrs and Miss Dalmahoy, Mr G.C. Steuart, Edinburgh; Mrs Sanford, Beeslack, Milton Bridge; Provost and Mrs Laing, Penicuik; Councillor Craster, Penicuik, formerly governor of the school, and Mrs Craster; Mr Thomas Fleming, the present governor; Dr William Badger, Penicuik, medical officer; Mr G. F. Henderson, W.S., secretary; Mr A. Lorne Campbell, Edinburgh; Mrs Tait, Penicuik; and Mr A. P. Melville, W.S., Edinburgh.

The simple but very effective ceremony began with a prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving offered by the Rev. R. C. Strang, Portobello. This was followed by the singing of the 2nd Paraphrase.

The Chairman stated that of 446 boys who left the school between 1900 and 1918 404 joined the fighting forces of the Crown. Of these 404 old boys, they deeply deplored, 41 never returned. While they felt sad at their loss, they at the same time felt proud of those boys who did their duty for King and country and kept faithful even unto the end. They could unveil the tablet to their memory as a mark of respect and recognition of their worth; they could dedicate it as a mark of sympathy with the boys' relatives; but it would be a poor thing if that was all they could do. They who were left — or at least most of them — would not be called upon to sacrifice their lives for their country, but the spirit which animated these boys who gave their lives should animate every one of them. Whether they were serving in the Navy, Army, or civil life, they should do the utmost to follow their example, and do their best for their country, and be faithful even to the end. (Applause.)

In unveiling the memorial, on which are inscribed the names of the old boys who sacrificed their lives, Admiral Tyrwhitt said that anyone connected in any way with that school must take a tremendous pride in what the boys of the school had done. One member of staff and 41 boys were either killed or died of wounds, five members of staff and 184 boys were wounded, 21 were gassed, 8 were reported missing, and 9 were prisoners of war. The pleasant side of this record was that three boys received commissions, 15 were awarded decorations, and 2 were mentioned in despatches. All that formed a record of which they must be proud. (Applause.) This memorial Admiral Tyrwhitt concluded, would serve as a lasting tribute to those who fell in the war, would, he hoped, encourage those who came after to follow in their ways, and to emulate them in every way possible. (Applause.)

Prayer was then offered by the Rev. J. H. Fordyce, Howgate, followed by the sounding of the "Last Post" by buglers outside. There after a number of wreaths were placed at the foot of the memorial.

A vote of thanks to Admiral Tyrwhitt was proposed by General Gordon Gilmour, and the proceedings were brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

ADP

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:29 pm Post subject:

The school still exists according to: http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst72124.html

Wellington School
(Wellie Farm)
A residential school for boys located close to the southern boundary of Midlothian, Wellington School is situated a mile (1.4 km) north northeast of Leadburn and 2½ miles (4 km) south of Penicuik. Established in 1859 as the Wellington Reformatory Farm School for the 'correction' of young offenders, it is now owned and operated by the City of Edinburgh Council. It is still known in Edinburgh as 'Wellie Farm'.

Today, the School provides residential education for boys aged 13-16 with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties from Edinburgh and the Lothians. It offers some day places and had a roll of 48 in 2010.

One of its founders was Rev. Thomas Guthrie (1803-73).

Nikonbob · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 64 Location: Gorebridge

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

The School closed in June 2014, and according to Wikipedia the memorial is now in Penicuik South Parish Church