Village project tells the story of heroes

A project is taking place in Cumbernauld Village to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War One.
The names of the 61 men from the village who died during WW1 can be found on the war memorial on BaronhillThe names of the 61 men from the village who died during WW1 can be found on the war memorial on Baronhill
The names of the 61 men from the village who died during WW1 can be found on the war memorial on Baronhill

This November will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict and Cumbernauld Old Parish Church, residents and the Village Community Council are collaborating to produce a website and booklet about all 61 soldiers from the Village who lost their lives.

Elizabeth Snedden said: “There are 61 men from the Village who are commemorated on the war memorial and we wanted to do something to tell their story.

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“They made the ultimate sacrifice during World War One and deserve to be remembered properly.

“Thanks to a local enthusiast we received some information on all the names and we hope to expand on it.

“A team of volunteers has been busy doing research into each of them so we could present a fuller picture of the life of each man, their war and how and where they were killed.

“Our plan is to produce a booklet and a website to share their stories and hope to have them ready by Remembrance Day.”

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This isn’t the only tribute to the men as an application to the National Lottery for funding to create a permanent feature to enhance the area around the war memorial in the Baronhill as been successful.

It is intended to erect a pergola to hold 61 poppy heads to represent each man as well as build a seat.

Elizabeth said: “We want to make the war memorial more of a feature of the Village, while also paying respect to the war heroes and this seemed a good way to do it.”

More than 5000 knitted poppies have been handed into the church so far for the Remembrance Day 100th Anniversary display.

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The initiative was launched in April in collaboration with the community council with patterns being produced knitting patterns for a number of designs.

They are now working with North Lanarkshire Visual Arts Department to create a fitting installation.

Elizabeth said: “We have received over 5000 poppies, which is amazing, but I’m told there is room for over 6000.

“As such there is time if anyone else wants to contribute and of course the more poppies that can be knitted, the larger the final display that will be produced.

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“Each one has been done with such love, care and attention – they are all just beautiful, and it isn’t just locally people all over the place have been getting wind of the project and that’s been a big surprise.

“We have wool available at the church for those who need some.”