Support for statue and streets tribute
Politicians back Raploch proposals
Stirling’s MP and MSP have backed proposals by the Raploch community for a memorial commemorating the area’s war dead and to erect a statue of Billy Bremner, one of Stirling’s football legends.
Raploch’s Community Council have thrown their support behind resident Mick Lowe, who researched the area’s wartime history and discovered more than 60 members of the Raploch community had lost their lives in World War II alone.
Local pensioner Mick, 74, had initially embarked on his own personal project to find out more about his dad John, who died in 1948 after spending time as a prisoner of war during the Second World War.
The proposals, while in the early stages, would see a war memorial erected near the community campus to pay tribute to the casualties from several conflicts who originally hailed from Raploch, and Raploch Community Council has been looking into potential funding as well as liaising with the British Legion Scotland.
Six streets in a new housing development being built in Raploch are also being named after men from the area who died in World War Two.
Brewster Crescent, Fairley
Crescent, Hulston Road, Turner Street, Spencer Place and McDonald Court, will become lasting legacies of six of those who lost their lives in the conflict, and their fellow fallen comrades from the community.
Private Robert Brewster of 21 Hawthorn Crescent, Pte John Fairley of 43D Raploch Road, Pte William Hulston of 8 Hawthorn Crescent, Pte James Turner of 23 Hawthorn Crescent, Pte Ian Spencer of 4 Haig Avenue, and Pte James McDonald of 64 Drip Road are amongst a list of 48 names compiled by Raploch man Mr Lowe.
Plans backing the remembrance of Billy Bremner have also grown momentum since October 2019, after Stirling Council planners announced a street will be named after the Stirling footballing legend.
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said: “Raploch has a rich history of community spirit and identity, and I think it only fitting that this is celebrated. Raploch, and the whole of Stirling, paid a heavy toll during a great many wars - I could think of no better way to remember the fallen than with a dedicated Raploch memorial.
“Remembrance is important, and in that vein I wholly support further plans to remember local football legend Billy Bremner with a dedicated statue. Both projects would make excellent additions to the streetscape and community.”
Stirling MP Alyn Smith added: “These unprecedented times of crisis have revealed what’s important: family, friends and community. Through the construction of a war memorial, residents and visitors in Raploch will remember the great sacrifices of these brave community members who paid the ultimate price.
“The memorial, along with the proposed statue of Raploch’s football legend Billy Bremner, will be a great example of Raploch’s community spirit in action, standing proud for all to see.”