The Lauder Memorial

Last week I was asked if I would be available today to attend the re-dedication of  the Lauder Memorial which sits at Invernoaden  above Glenbranter, and to say a few words when unveiling the new story boards.

I had never been up to the memorial before, but I knew that Sir Harry Lauder's only son , John, had been killed in 1916 by a sniper at Poziers .  I had included pictures of his name on the War Memorial in Dunoon  in a film I made for the BBC  twenty years ago about the Scottish poetry and song of the First World War because we had used a quotation from Lauder's "A Minstrel in France"  in the film , one which spoke of his great grief when he was given the news.

Today is the 102nd anniversary of Captain John Lauder's  death and therefore a very fitting date to re-dedicate the memorial that Sir Harry had erected overlooking the house and estate he had bought for his son and his fiancé but which of course they never occupied.   There is a picture of the original dedication event  in 1924  in my extra photos for the day. 

The Friends of Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park have done a great job in clearing and restoring the site and the ceremony was  very moving , the more so because of the very personal story and the fantastic setting.   

The path up the hill had some children's drawings displayed on the trees and the more permanent new story boards will inform another generation of why this is here and give a little of the subsequent tale, including the work that Sir Harry did to entertain the troops , raise money for war bonds (a million dollars from one event in Times Square) and  support the erection of many war memorials the length and breadth of the country.