Original Contents:-
Logbook/Pencil
Water Gun
Parachute Man
Whistle
Two Balloons
Post-it Notepad
Pack of Snap Playing Cards
Chunky Crayons
Yo-Yo
Pencil
Two High Lighters
Stonehaven War Memorial History
The Aberdeen architect John Ellis designed the World War One and Two War Memorial that proudly stands on Black Hill, Stonehaven. It is unique in that it can be seen from most parts of Stonehaven and its surrounding areas, providing a permanent and daily reminder to local people of the supreme sacrifice of servicemen from Stonehaven. It looks like an incomplete round temple - and was intentioned design as such to be a reminder of the loss of life and incompleteness of a full life of those who died in the Wars. An inscription carved into the stone at the top of the temple is written:
"One by one death challenged them, they smiled in his grim visage and refused to be dismayed"
Lower down on the lintels are carved the names of World War One Battles - Gallipoli, Jutland, Marne, Mons, Somne, Vimy, Ypres and Zeebrugge. Some of the Second World War Battles were later added. The names of the dead from the First World War were inscribed in the central column and those who gave their lives in the Second World War were engraved around the sides. The monument was one of the last to be erected in Scotland after the First World War. Another location discussed was the Market Square within the town centre.
Black Hill
The Black Hill land where the monument now stands was donated by then land owner Lady Cowdray. Fundraising for building the monument was organised by locals through private donations, fetes, dances and whist drives. The monument was unveiled at 3pm on Sunday the 20th May 1923 during a dedication ceremony. There are plenty of benches around the monument to sit and admire breath taking views over Stonehaven and close by Dunnottar Castle.
