The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Royal unveiling for maritime tribute
Princess Anne will unveil a tribute to Dundee’s lost maritime heroes next month.
A commemorative roll of honour marking the contributions of 500 seamen and women who died during the First World War will be put on show in the city’s St Mary’s Church.
The memorial plaque will be constructed of glass and feature a cherry wood base.
It is thought more than 4,000 men and women from Dundee served as sailors and seafarers during the First World War, in both the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy.
The Princess Royal will visit the City of Discovery to unveil the roll of honour on Monday July 10.
During her visit to Tayside, the princess will also open Dundee University’s Third International Invasives Conference and visit RR Spink’s renovated smoked salmon and trout factory in Arbroath.
Local historians and former soldiers campaigned for the creation of the plaque.
The man behind the venture is local historian Hugh Macrae.
Mr Macrae became inspired to remember those who died at sea after discovering Dundee did not have an appropriate memorial on display.
He explained: “After conducting some research about the First World War, we found there wasn’t a specific memorial for seafarers who lost their lives in the war. This is odd, considering Dundee’s rich history as a seafaring city.
“There is already a splendid Black Watch roll of honour memorial in St Mary’s church, one of the best I’ve seen, and I believe Dundee really ought to have a memorial for those lost at sea between 1914 and 1918.”
The plaque has been designed by artist Chic Harper.
Commenting on the finished work, Mr Harper said: “As well as putting the plaque together, we have done two books, rolls of honour, which we have bound.
“The pages in the book will be turned each day to reveal who fell on that day. “It’s turned out nicely. “It’s a nice project to have been involved in. I’m pleased to have been involved.”