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Tuesday, 11/Nov/2008

Islay War Memorials

Picture of the war memorial in Port Ellen, Islay. Statue of a soldier on top of a plinth with the names of the fallen

Today being the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I and related ceremonies around the world as well as in the UK I thought it might be worth pointing out the various war memorials on Islay. I'm not sure how many in total, but a significant number of men from Islay gave their lives during the two world wars.

Possibly the best known memorial on Islay is the Port Ellen War Memorial, partly because of its prominent position next to the harbour. But it's by far not the only one on Islay, on the Argyll & Bute War Memorials List I found 10 listed for Islay:

Picture of the war memorial at Port Ban between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich on Islay. A small cross on top of a plinth.

For some of them I found further information on the site, for example about the Kilchoman Parish Memorial, Port Ban, Islay pictured on the left. Another one is in the entrance to The Round Church in Bowmore, where pictures and further information can be found under Bowmore (Kilarrow), Islay. Returning to Port Ellen more pictures and information can be found under Kildalton and Oa Parish Memorial, Port Ellen, Islay. Not listed above (unless that's the one listed under Portnahaven) is the Port Wemyss District Memorial, Islay.

Last but not least I should mention the HMS Otranto and HMS Tuscania memorials on The Oa and at Kilchoman. The Scottish War Memorials Project also has entries for them under Cross of Sacrifice, Kilchoman Miltary Cemetery, Islay and American Monument, Mull of Oa, Islay. Here's a view of the Kilchoman Military Cemetery in some calm and peaceful evening light:

Picture of war graves with a memorial in the evening sun

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