A towering grey granite obelisk. That’s the Glasgow War Memorial. It stands proudly in George Square a testament to Glaswegian sacrifice. More than 200000 men from Glasgow served during the First World War. A fifth of the city’s population. Around 18000 lost their lives. Another 35000 were wounded.
The Glasgow War Memorial wasn’t built overnight. A committee chaired by Lord Provost Sir James Watson Stuart formed in 1920. They decided to build this cenotaph. They also supported workshops training disabled servicemen. Any leftover money went to charity. The memorial itself was a collaborative effort. Architects like Robert Lorimer Edwin Lutyens and George Frampton submitted designs. Ultimately John James Burnet and Norman Aitken Dick’s design was chosen. Their creation is a masterpiece of polished granite. Stone lions guard its base. A statue of St Mungo the city’s patron saint stands tall. The inscription “Let Glasgow Flourish” is carved into the stone.
The Glasgow War Memorial’s design is intricate. A tall pylon about 32 feet high supports an empty sarcophagus. A large gilded metal sword acts as a cross on the front. The west face also bears the poignant inscription “To the Immortal Honour of the Officers Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of Glasgow who fell in the Great War”. The east face displays the Scottish Royal coat of arms and details about the immense contribution of Glasgow to the war effort. More than 200000 Glaswegians served.
The inscriptions on the north and south sides quote scripture. “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”. Another reads “These died in war that we at peace might live These gave their best so we our best should give”. These words are more than just inscriptions. They are a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made for peace.
Field Marshal Douglas Haig unveiled the Glasgow War Memorial on May 31 1924. It became a Grade B listed building in 1970. This status protects its historical importance. It serves as a constant reminder of those who fought and died for our freedom. The Glasgow War Memorial stands tall. A symbol of remembrance and a powerful tribute to the city’s fallen heroes.