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LABOUR CORPS (NATIONAL MEMORIAL), RATTRAY, BLAIRGOWRIE
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Murray



Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 64

PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just had another look here and see the dreaded cross on my photo's.

I shall rectify this soonest. In the meantime please click the link below:

::Click Here::
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Murray



Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 64

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:07 am    Post subject: Labour Corp Memorial Window updated Reply with quote

Riverside Methodist Church - Blairgowrie



Labour Corp Memorial Window

Towards the end of 1977, exactly 55 years after it was unveiled and dedicated, the only National War Memorial Window in a Methodist Church to the men of the Labour Corps who gave their lives in the 1st World War was vandalised, and quite seriously damaged.
The Minister and members of the Church Council decided that a detailed history of the window should be produced, and although little information is now available, it is known that in 1922 the sum of £800 was paid to the artist Mr. R.A. Bell, R.A.

From early in 1917 Blairgowrie was the Headquarters of the Corps and during the two years following, well nigh 20,000 men of all ranks passed through the Headquarters. The average number of men stationed here being 3,000 to 4,000. Over 7,000 Officers, NCOs (Non Commissioned Officers) and Men were killed or died of wounds or sickness in many parts of the world.

The Memorial Fund was started by contributions of the Officers and men of the Labour Corps in 1919 and over 1,300 of its ranks subscribed to it.
It was their desire that the memorial should take the form of a stained glass window in the Riverside Church, in which thousands of the men had found retreat and a very pleasant social centre at the Church, (Rev. J.Sutcliffe Allen was minister at that time).

This memorial window will stand as a token of remembrance and gratitude to them for their work well done and their splendid example of Christian and human ideals. In giving honour to all and remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice, let us not forget the living.

The unveiling ceremony on Saturday 2nd December 1922 was carried out by Mrs Hay Wilson together with Major-General G. S. Sinclair-McLagan, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding 51st Highland Division, Col. A. B. Robertson C.M.G., D.S.O., General Staff, Scottish Command.

The following is a reprint 'Souvenir of WAR MEMORIAL to Labour Corps'

Printed 2nd December 1922
Riverside Church
Blairgowrie, Perthshire
November 1922

Dear Sir,

LABOUR CORPS WAR MEMORIAL

According to my promise to all who subscribed over three years ago to this Memorial, I have pleasure in sending you a picture and description of the window now erected in the Riverside Church, Blairgowrie, and inviting you, if you should be able to attend, to the UNVEILING AND DEDICATION, on Saturday 2nd December.
The Committee were most fortunate in securing as artist, Mr Robert Anning Bell, R.A. of Glasgow and London, one of, if not the most distinguished of stained-glass artists in great Britain.
The craftsmanship has been, under his direction, executed by the famous firm of Messrs J.& W. Guthrie & Andrew Wells Ltd., of Glasgow. The result is a Memorial, we trust, in some degree, worthy of the sacrifice commemorated. I do not think there will be found in the country any memorial to surpass it in artistic beauty, in the wealth and appropriateness of its symbolism, or in the integrity of its craftsmanship. It will be one of the permanent treasures of art in Scotland, and will witness, we believe, for centuries to come, to the heroism and devotion of the men who gave their lives, serving in the Labour Corps.
We are endeavouring to secure special railway facilities for any who may
wish to be present at the Dedication.

With all good wishes,
I am. Yours faithfully,
J. SUTCLIFFE ALLEN.

DESCRIPTION OF LABOUR CORPS MEMORIAL WINDOW AT BLAIRGOWRIE

The Tracery contains in the middle of the upper part, the emblems of the passion of our Lord, against a ruby background - the ladder, the column and the whip, the spear and sponge, and the three nails.



Below, in the centre, is the crown of thorns, surmounting a cross and resting upon the cup. These may be taken as a symbol of the suffering and endurance of the Labour men, as followers of their Saviour.



The rest of the Tracery contains figures of angels against a blue ground. These are holding scrolls with the words:
“Laborare et honore”



and
“Laborare est orare”





Two smaller Tracery Lights contain the Union Jack on a shield, and the badge of the Labour Corps, with its motto: “Labor omnia vincit”





Then come the four main Lights. In the upper portion of each, in the pointed head of the Light is a half-length young angel, holding a scroll with the name of the figure shown at full length below:
St. George for courage.
St. Paul for endurance.
The patriarch Job for fortitude, and
General Gordon for self-sacrifice.


Courage and Endurance



Fortitude and Self-Sacrifice

Below each of these is a small square panel, containing a modern soldier in khaki forcing his way through a wood of thorns, intertwined with a scroll, upon which is an appropriate inscription:

1.“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then had they swallowed us up alive.”



2. “These are they which came out of great tribulation.”



3. “My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the
Light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. In thee, 0 Lord, do I hope.”



4. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”



Below these, again, are four small panels inserted in the border - sun, frost, rain, tempest, and below all is the inscription:
"And their name liveth to all generations."

Around the soldier panels are border patterns made of the three nails, a cross, and a star, and the crown of thorns.

Between them, on a ruby band which separates the main figures from the lower soldier panels, is the Dedication of the Window:-
"To the Glory of God and in memory of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of His Majesty's forces who gave their lives while serving in the Labour Corps in the Great War,1914-18. "and at each side of the main panels is a border made up of ruby quarries with a silver flame. These symbolise prayers arising upwards, and between the ruby quarries are panels with the Thistle for Scotland. On the silver white background of the principal figures are quarries containing St. Andrew's Cross, and the emblem of Labour. Coats of Arms of Great Britain and the Colonies are placed irregularly, on red bands, above and below the principal figures.

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Murray



Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 64

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Henry over at the Riverside Methodist Church has just updated the website.

Have a look:

http://www.riverside-methodist-church.co.uk/history
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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 4858
Location: The County of Angus

PostPosted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:04 am    Post subject: memorial cost info Reply with quote

(Glasgow Herald 8th of May 1922)
"...The cost of the memorial would be about £850, of which £730 was in hand, ..."

Derek.
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dhubthaigh
Our first ever 1000-poster


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 5071
Location: Blairgowrie, Perthshire

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

From the church website:

Riverside Methodist Church, Rattray, Blairgowrie
Press Release


Church decides to move out of 127 year old building

The Methodist church have agreed that they will move out of their 127 year old building in Riverside Road, a landmark building in Blairgowrie. Members of the church council made the decision at a meeting on 1st May because they can no longer afford the upkeep and running costs of the historic 200 seat church. As well as the enormous heating costs there are also expensive issues to be dealt with in the fabric of the building.

This decision was not made lightly. The church has a proud history in Blairgowrie since opening in 1887. In 1885 Mr David Borrie, a local businessman, had left his fortune for the building of a Methodist church in the town.

The church contains several stained glass windows including a large war memorial window honouring those from The Labour Corps regiment who gave their lives in the first world war. The organ in the church is an historically significant instrument made in 1870 by Peter Conacher.

The church will continue to meet in their building on Riverside Road whilst their professional advisers investigate possibilities for the future of the site. Once the future of the building is finalised, the church plan to continue to meet for worship and other activities at another venue in the town.

Ends.

For immediate release

for further details please contact:
Revd John Butterfield 01786 474070
or


--
John Butterfield
Minister of the Methodist Churches in Perth and Blairgowrie
Craigmill House, Alloa Road, Stirling, FK9 5PP
Phone: 01786 474070
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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Mark. Lets hope what was said in 1922 remains true

"It will be one of the permanent treasures of art in Scotland, and will witness, we believe, for centuries to come, to the heroism and devotion of the men who gave their lives, serving in the Labour Corps."

Adam
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dhubthaigh
Our first ever 1000-poster


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 5071
Location: Blairgowrie, Perthshire

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BUYER FOUND FOR LANDMARK RATTRAY KIRK

A landmark Perthshire church, which is being vacated by its congregation amid mounting maintenance costs, could be converted into a private family home.

The 127-year-old Riverside Methodist Church in Rattray went on the market last year after members took the difficult decision to move out.

Church leaders said they could no longer afford the upkeep and running costs of the 200-capacity building, which is well known for its spectacular, stained glass window.

Now selling agents have confirmed that the building is under offer.

The Courier understands the new owner hopes to transform the church into a private home and a planning application is expected to be lodged in the coming weeks.


A spokesman for the congregation said: “Following a closing date set last week, the Methodist church building is now under offer.

“The trustees are happy that the future of the building has been secured and they are looking ahead to meeting in other suitable premises in the area.”

The congregation, which has continued to meet at the church, is now planning a closing service and organ recital before they leave the building for good.

Minister the Rev John Butterfield said: “This beautiful building has been the home for Methodist congregation in Blairgowrie and Rattray for over 100 years, but it is now time to move on.

“The Methodist church has played an important part in the community life of the locality and has been involved ecumenically with other local churches. We hope that this involvement will continue.”

The stained glass window, installed in the 1920s as a tribute to the First World War Labour Corps, is likely to be retained. The organ, however has already been sold, and is to be installed at a church in Spain.

The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, an organisation which was formed to save churches at risk, said that a drop in the number of people attending church, coupled with the cost of maintaining ageing buildings, had placed a “huge burden” on congregations like Riverside.
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Adam Brown
Curator


Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7312
Location: Edinburgh (From Sutherland)

PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the update Mark. Lets hope the window will survive the renovation, persumably the buyer intends to keep it.

Thanks

Adam
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ScottGalloway



Joined: 06 Mar 2014
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:49 am    Post subject: Revovation Reply with quote

The window has indeed survived the restoration. The church is the new home for Little's Restaurant, well known in Blairgowrie. Willie Little has achieved a failrly sympathetic restoration/renovation of the church and the window is used as a feature of the restaurant.
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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:11 pm    Post subject: WMR (ex UKNIWM) report Reply with quote

WMR 81910
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