Readers Letters: Success in campaign to update Airdrie Cenotaph

Jul 20 2011

SIR - SOME time ago I wrote to the Advertiser regarding my proposal that the Airdrie Cenotaph be updated to include a section for those service people who had lost their lives in war or conflict after the Second World War.

I also invited anyone who had a relative or friend who had lost their life in the service of the country to contact me through your newspaper.

Following this letter I was contacted by Betty Davies whose brother John Mezzetti had died in action in 1952 whilst serving in Malaya.

I was also contacted by Margaret Forrest of the Friends of Centenary and West End Parks, an organisation actively involved in upgrading this area of the town for the benefit of all.

Margaret Forrest and I kept in touch as she was interested in helping with my research.

Her letter to another local newspaper resulted in the family of John Dobson Taylor contacting her.

John had lost his life in action in Holland during the Second World War but his name was not on the Cenotaph.

I have had the privilege of conducting the Service of Remembrance on three occasions at the invitation of former Provost John Donnelly and at last year’s service, for the first time, the families of these two young men were able to place wreaths beside their names.

On May 25 this year, a ceremony was held in Motherwell to present the Elizabeth Cross to families of those who have given their lives since the end of the Second World War and this ceremony was reported in the Advertiser on June 22.

Airdrie Cenotaph now has an “Elizabeth Cross” section in remembrance of those whose ultimate sacrifice has been recognised by this award.

Since the ceremony the name of James Harrison has been added.

The Ministry of Defence website has further details of the Elizabeth Cross.

I would like to express my thanks to all those who provided their support in requesting that the Cenotaph be updated; to Margaret Forrest for her assistance in research; the Friends of Centenary and West End Parks for their support and their contribution to last November’s Remembrance Service; and to North Lanarkshire Council for responding so wholeheartedly and carrying out the updating and refurbishment to provide a Cenotaph to match the pride we have for the people of our town whose names are inscribed upon it.

Ms Marion Love, e-mail address supplied.