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The Memorial was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and opened on 14 July 1927
by HRH Edward, Prince ofWales, in the presence of HM King GeorgeV, Queen
Mary andThe Princess Royal.Although built in the immediate aftermath of
WorldWar One and established by Royal Charter, it now commemorates and
records in the Rolls of Honour held within it the sacrifice of Scots servicemen
and women from all Armed Services, the Dominions, Merchant Navy,Women’s
Services, Nursing Services and civilian casualties of all wars from 1914 to date.
The Building of the Memorial
During the building of the Memorial in the early 1920s, some 200 of the finest
Scottish craftsmen and women of the day committed many hours to ensuring that
every detail was correct.The windows by Douglas Strachan had to lend a soft and
subtle colour to the interior, but there had to be sufficient light to ensure that the
names in the Books of Remembrance could be read.
The frieze in the Shrine, the work of Mrs Gertrude Alice MeredithWilliams and
her husband Morris, was deemed by all to be a masterpiece and the Duke of
Atholl was particularly delighted with it. Referring to “Mrs MeredithWilliams’
wonderful frieze”, the Duchess of Atholl recorded, “The beauty of the frieze is in
part due to her husband. During his three years in the ranks in France he made
endless drawings of his fellow soldiers.The drawings furnished a priceless
inspiration for the amazing number of men and women recorded in his wife’s
masterpiece”.
It is clear from the records that both the Duke and the Duchess of Atholl played a
major part in influencing the interior design of the building, particularly in
relation to the subtle symbolism and the wonderful serenity and simplicity.
The Rolls of Honour
As building progressed, unaffected even by the General Strike of 1926, discussion
was taking place about the names to be placed on the Rolls of Honour and in the
Casket.A form of words was agreed which would provide the criteria for
admission to the Rolls. Brought up to date this now reads:
“A member of the Armed Forces of the Crown or of the Merchant Navy who was
either a Scotsman (i.e. born in Scotland or who had a Scottish born Father or
Mother) or served in a Scottish Regiment and was killed or died as a result of a
wound, injury or disease sustained (a) in a theatre of operations for which a
medal has been or is awarded; or (b) whilst on duty in aid of the Civil Power.”