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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    The Burgh and Parish of Dunbar

    5649.jpg

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    Current Location

    The memorial is located on the cliff top behind the hotel., Bayswell Hotel, 16, Bayswell Park, Dunbar, East Lothian, Lothian, EH42 1AE, Scotland

    OS Grid Reference

    NT 67362 79273

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-5649

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    Type of Memorial
    Cross
    WMR Reference Number
    5649
    Description
    The cross stands atop a three-stepped plinth base which carries the names of the fallen. The inscription is located on the shaft of the cross. The names from World War 1 are located on the top step incised directly into the stone with those commemorating the fallen of World War 2 added on plaques to the stone face of the second tier. A name from the Malaya conflict is also recorded. The memorial is surrounded by a low fence and approached via a path.
    Inscription
    IN MEMORY/ OF THOSE FROM THE / BURGH AND PARISH / OF DUNBAR / WHO / GAVE THEIR LIVES / IN THE GREAT WAR / 1914-1918 / "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE" / (NAMES)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    146
    Died
    146
    Information shown
    surname, forenames
    Order of names
    surname
    Additional Information
    Includes a woman-Sister Violet Fraser- not commemorated by CWGC, known to have died 5 March 1919
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    66
    Died
    66
    Information shown
    surname, forenames
    Order of names
    surname
    War
    Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Died
    1
    Information shown
    surname, forename
    Maker(s)
    • F E B Blanc, of Edinburgh, Designer

    • George Cunningham of Dunbar, Builder

    Sponsor Type
    public
    Maintenance History
    In 2018 a grant of £4,785 from the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund, supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish government helped fund repair and conservation works. A crack on the shaft was repaired and the memorial was re-pointed. The memorial was cleaned with brushes and low pressure water with appropriate poultices used by specialists to reduce the metal staining on the stone. In addressing the inscriptions the lettering was repainted with an appropriate oil based paint to match the existing colour. All metal elements were marked with SmartWater as part of the In Memoriam 2014 initiative to deter theft.

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    3 July 1921

    General Sir Reginald Wingate, Bart

    Rededicated

    2 June 1949

    Rededicated

    28 October 2019

    Previous Location(s)

    • Bayswell Hotel, Marine Drive, Dunbar, East Lothian, Lothian, Scotland

      Year of move

      1989

      Reason for move

      Moved 200 yards nearer to hotel due to risk from cliff erosion.

    Custodian
    Dunbar Community Council

    Components

    Cross

    Height: 4877 mm


    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    • http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2936&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&mforum=warmemscot
    • Information about 10 extra WW1 names and 4 WW2 names which were added in 2019 [note that eventually a further 2 names seem to have been added- no details of these 2 are known}-https://dunbarcommunitycouncil.org.uk/adding-missing-names-to-the-war-memorial/
    • War Memorials Trust Bulletin 79-November 2018- The front cover has an image 'as built' and page 3 an image with the WW2 names added, and after restoration
    • https://dunbarcommunitycouncil.org.uk/dunbar-war-memorial-dedication-of-added-names-28th-october-1030/ Dunbar War Memorial: Dedication of Added Names, 28th October 1030 Posted on October 20, 2019 Author georgerobertson A Dedication Ceremony will take place on Monday 28th October to mark the completion of the War Memorial Restoration Project and the addition of missing names. The ceremony will commence at 1030 am, with the Lord Lieutenant and East Lothian Provost present as well as pupils from Dunbar Primary and Grammar Schools. Conservation and Enhancement Project Designed by the Edinburgh architect F E B Blanc, and erected by Dunbar builder George Cunningham, the Memorial was commissioned to “commemorate the memory of those who had given their lives for the King and Country” during World War 1 (Burgh Council minutes). It was unveiled and dedicated on 3rd July 1921, “in the presence of several thousands of spectators” (“Haddingtonshire Courier”). Sited at the entrance to the town’s West Promenade, it remained there when two granite plaques recording the dead of World War 2 were added to the plinth, and unveiled at an “impressive ceremony” on 2nd June 1949 (“Haddingtonshire Courier”). Threatened by coastal erosion, the Memorial was moved inland to its present location in 1989, when it was positioned within a concrete slab enclosure. At its exposed clifftop site overlooking the North Sea, the Memorial, almost a century old, inevitably has suffered from the effects of the weather. Concerns were expressed over the loss of legibility of the names of the fallen, at its general condition and at the poor quality of its surroundings. To address these, a working group comprising representatives of Dunbar Community Council, the local branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Dunbar & District History Society was established to make recommendations for the Memorial’s conservation, and any other actions needed. A condition survey identified its conservation requirements, and it was decided to upgrade its setting by replacing the concrete slabs with red sandstone paving. As their thinking evolved, the working group came to the view that possible “missing” names from both World Wars should be researched, with the intention of adding those that met War Memorials Trust criteria. In all, 65 names were investigated, most being discounted because of limited, if any, links with Dunbar and Parish. The conservation and enhancement of the Memorial was accomplished in time for the Remembrance Service on Sunday 11th November 2018, which marked the centenary of the World War 1 Armistice. The addition of 16 “missing” names on 28th October 2019 represents the completion of the project. Funding From the outset it was clear the works could only be undertaken if financed from external sources. A campaign to raise funding succeeded in attracting grants and donations totalling £26,000. The working group wish to extend their warm thanks to the undernoted for providing the financial support needed to transform their proposals into reality. Viridor Credits Environmental Company, East Lothian Council (Civic Pride Fund) War Memorials Trust, Dunbar Community Council, Greene King, Rotary Club of Dunbar EDF Energy, Anonymous Benefactor.
    • Carter Postcard Collection