Skip to main content

    War MemorialsRegister

    • Home
    • Search Memorials
    • Search Names
    • Help
    Imperial War Museums LogoImperial War Museums home
    • About
      • About us
      • Submit a photograph
      • Volunteering
    • Legal
      • Accessibility Statement
      • Cookies
      • Copyright
      • Privacy
      • Terms of use

    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Isle of Shapinsay

    Overall View

    Source: Copyright Scottish War Memorials Project

    1/6

    Current Location

    Junction of B9058 with B9059, Elwick, Isle of Shapinsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, KW17 2DX, Scotland

    OS Grid Reference

    HY 48821 16861

    View location on Google Maps

    Names listed on this memorial

    Contribute to the War Memorials Register

    Send us details and photographs of your local war memorials, to help enhance the information about the people, places and events they commemorate.

    Contribute now

    This record shows everything IWM currently knows about this memorial. We are continually updating our records.

    © WMR-57299

    To share information or photographs, contact us.

    Type of Memorial
    Cross
    WMR Reference Number
    57299
    Description
    Square plinth with engraved stone tablet, surmounted by tapering square plinth with stone tablet. Plinths are topped by tapering monument surmounted by Potent Cross. Whole is set within a three-sided, brick walled enclosure fronted by railing and two circular, stone edifices either side.
    Inscription
    On shaft: ERECTED / TO THE MEMORY / OF THE MEN / OF THIS ISLAND / WHO DIED IN / THE GREAT WAR / 1914 - 1919 On pedestal: (Names) On step: ERECTED / TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR / 1939 - 1945 / (Names) / "THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD."
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    12
    Died
    12
    Information shown
    Rank, forename, initial of forenames, surname, regiment
    Order of names
    Surname
    War
    First World War - civilians
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Died
    1
    Information shown
    surname, forename, rank, service
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    2
    Died
    2
    Information shown
    Rank, forename, surname, regiment
    Order of names
    Surname

    Components

    Cross

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    Plinth

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    Base

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    Wall

    Made from: Stone


    Condition: Good


    Tablet

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    • http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2075&mforum=warmemscot
    • Orkney Image Library [which gives a transcribed date of 24 April 1927 for the unveiling- which does not seem to correspond with the hand annotated date on the image] https://photos.orkneycommunities.co.uk/picture/number27464.asp
    • Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 20 July 1921 SHAPINSAY - WAR MEMORIAL (Wreath laid on the Shapinsay War Memorial)- NOTE the same report is in the Orcadian newspaper (which is not on line) dated 21 July 1921
    • Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 21 December 1921 SHAPINSAY WAR MEMORIAL-The final meeting of the War Memorial Committee took place at Elwickbank on Tuesday evening last week.
    • Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Tuesday 18 November 1947 SHAPINSAY WAR MEMORIAL PLAQUE [sic]
    • CANMORE [which cites oral evidence of 24 April 1921 being the unveiling date] -  http://canmore.org.uk/site/339101