Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 04 October 1920
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000576/19201004/077/0006
CULTER WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED.
LT.-COL. BRUCE'S TRIBUTE.
The Culter war memorial was unveiled and dedicated yesterday afternoon. It is a square tower built of rough granite, and, erected on high ground not far from the Rob Roy monument, it commands wide view of the valley of the Dee. On two tablets of dressed granite inlet into the walls are inscribed the names and regiments of the 68 men who were killed in the war, whilst the third has the following inscription — "This monument is erected in proud and grateful memory of the men from this district who fell in the great war, 1914-18." Mr R. W. Walker, Culter Lodge, was architect. There was a large attendance the ceremony. Among those present were:— Mrs and Miss Crombie, Mr and Mrs Walker, Culter Lodge; Mr A. F. Irvine of Drum, and Mrs Bruce. After opening the proceedings with prayer, the Rev. J. F. Campbell, U.F. Church, Culter, introduced Lt.-Col. R. Bruce, D.S.O., Cults, of the Gordon Highlanders.
Lt.-Col. Bruce, in performing the ceremony, said he considered it a great privilege to be associated with them in doing honour to the memoi'y of those who from that district paid the supreme sacrifice in the great war. During the past 20 years he had been associated with the Culter company of the 7th Gordon Highlanders Both in peace and war he had known their fine spirit, but war revealed their bravery, their devotion to duty, and loyalty to their leaders — qualities possessed all good and noble soldiers. They saved the country from the fate of France and Belgium, but at what a cost in human lives. For them they gave their lives — and they lay in a foreign soil, ever sacred ground. Theirs was a glorious death, and such an occasion as that opened anew the wounds caused by personal loss, and to the bereaved they extended their sympathy. They had shown their appreciation of the worth of their glorious dead, and it was only their duty, by erecting that handsome memorial tower- They needed it not to recall that memory, but let it be for them a reminder of the sacrifice life and an incentive for them to do their duty cheerfully. Let it also be an example to generations yet unborn of what the young men did for their country in the hour of need. He saluted the memory of those brave comrades.
Col. Bruoe having unveiled the memorial, the Rev J. C. Thomson, minister of the parish. offered an impressive and touching dedicatory prayer: and Mr Nicol, Aberdeen, sounded "The Last Post."