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A Memorial Record of the Staff of The Commercial Bank of Scotland Limited who served in the Great War 1914-18 IN preparing this Roll of Honour it was felt that something more than a mere list of the names of those who fought and those who fell in the Great War of 1914-18 was necessary, and it was decided that the words spoken, and a record of the ceremony, at the unveiling of the Memorial Tablets - which bear the names of those of the Bank's Staff who were killed - might be a fitting introduction. Neither the Memorial Tablets nor the words of those whose privilege it was to speak can fully express the sorrow or the joy, the great thankfulness and pride, of those who mourn their dead or of those who rejoice in the safe return of their dear ones. On 16th March 1921 the Memorial Tablets erected in the Head Office were unveiled by the Deputy-Governor, The Earl of Mar and Kellie, K.T. Mr Rankine, the Senior Director, asked Mr William Babington, one of the Directors, to address the assembled company. Mr Babington said:- “My Lord, Ladies, and Gentlemen, the occasion which calls us together today, the unveiling of the Memorial to those of our Staff who fell in the War, will, I know, recall anxious and sad days to all of those present, but it was felt by the Directors to be one which would give them an opportunity of expressing, however inadequately, their high sense of admiration of the courageous spirit which, in August 1914 and during the whole course of the Great War, was shown by those of The Commercial Bank of Scotland’s Staff who were of military age. “As you will remember, during the first few months of the War the nation hardly realised the magnitude of the struggle in which we were engaged, but as time passed it became evident that all the resources of the country and all its capable manhood must be used. The Staff of no institution responded more loyally than that of The Commercial Bank. “In August 1914, sixty-eight of our employees – soldiers of the Territorial Army then existing – went forth, gladly responding to the call to arms, and filled with that spirit which must lead to ultimate success. Further calls were ungrudgingly responded to, and in all five hundred and seventy-eight of our Staff joined the glorious British Army. Of these, ninety-nine laid down their lives, and this Memorial is a small effort to perpetuate in this place their memory; but while it records only the names of those we mourn, it will serve also to assure those who came safely back of our admiration of their heroism. A Roll of Honour is being prepared, containing the names of all of our Staff who served in the War. “The list of ninety-nine names of our dead heroes is a long and sad one, and a heavy percentage of those who fought for the right, for freedom, and for their King. It is practically one in every six of those who served – a terrible toll of brave young lives cut off almost on the threshold of the joys and responsibilities of this world. “We mourn them, and shall mourn them all our lives. We feel that we can perhaps scarcely understand – though there are among the number of Directors some who have lost their dearest – the feelings of the parents and wives of these brave lads, but we know that, though the sorrow be deep, there is behind a feeling of thankful pride that their lives were not given in vain. I can scarcely imagine a greater comfort than to remember that a son, the whole of whose short life is graven on one’s heart, died in a glorious cause – facing death with simple faith and unafraid. “This Memorial will be now and for ever evidence of the admiration of the Shareholders, Directors, and whole Staff of The Commercial Bank of the loyalty ad courage of those ninety-nine whose names are upon it. “Words are feeble expressions of our deepest feelings. I would that I could better express what at this moment is in my heart, and in the hearts of you all who are present – especially the relatives, fathers, mothers, and widows of those whose names we desire to honour. “This Memorial is the Bank’s outward expression of its admiration. “The honours gained by our brave dead, and record, as you will see, with their names upon the marble, include that most coveted distinction the Victoria Cross. We are justly proud of these distinctions, but we know too that every one who died, and every one who fought and is again happily with us, displayed true British courage and did his all. Many of those who are now with us gained high honours. “There is an old American song commemorating one of their heroes of long ago, a man of high ideals and noble nature, which was written at the time of, or son after, the Civil War by someone now unknown, and which was often sung in France and Belgium by the troops of the Republic and by our own soldiers. This old song, a small thing in itself, is supposed to have been partly the inspiration of the splendid battle-hymn, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” The song has in it some lines of such grand thought and of such touching simplicity that I cannot refrain from quoting – and indeed it is most appropriate to this day – one of them, “His souls is marching on.” “Our brave lads are lost to us, but their souls live for ever to inspire us and those who come after us. Their glorious example is a heritage we are justly proud of. “The design of the Memorial, so admirably carried out by the distinguished architect, Mr Balfour Paul, is, I think, a dignified expression of our feelings, and I am sure will gain in approbation from the fact that he himself fought throughout the War. “Our noble Deputy-Governor, The Earl of Mar and Kellie, in the regretted absence of the Marquis of Breadlabane, whose health is at present somewhat delicate, has kindly undertaken to unveil the Memorial, and I now ask His Lordship to be good enough to do so.” The Earl of Mar and Kellie then unveiled the Memorials. Mr Robb, the General Manager, said:- “It is with feelings of regret mingled with pride that I now read the names of the ninety-nine gallant members of the Bank’s staff who so nobly responded to the nation’s call, and gave their lives for the preservation of all we hold dear.” He then read the names on the Memorial Tablets. Wreaths of palms were then placed beneath the Tablets by two members of the Staff, both of whom had served in the War. The Rev. George Christie, B.D., T.D., St Andrew’s Parish Church, offered the following dedicatory prayer:- “Almighty and Everlasting God, who orderest all things in heaven and earth, who makest the wrath of man to praise Thee, and settest bounds to the remnant thereof, we give Thee thanks this day for the wonderful victory Thou hast bestowed upon us and our Allies, leading us through fire and through water into a wealthy place of peace; for the mighty deliverance won thereby for us and for the world; and more particularly for Thy servants who, following from afar the example of Thy dear Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ, loved not their lives unto the death, but freely laid them down in our defence. “Grant, O Lord, that the remembrance of these Thy servants may evermore be precious to us; and that these Memorials erected to commemorate their valour and sacrifice even unto death, may be of power in all time coming to provoke them that look upon them unto like love and unselfish loyalty; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. “God of all comfort and consolation, we remember before Thee the bereaved and the desolate; comfort those who are lonely and bereft; may the remembrance of those now commemorated be an inspiration and a holy pride, that their sorrow may be mingled with rejoicing and brightened with the hope of a better meeting where parting is unknown. “We pray for the wounded and broken that they may have healing and help, and for ourselves hat we may willingly praise Thee with our lives, for whom Thou hast done great things. “All these things we ask in the name, and for the sake, of Him in who words we further pray: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. – Amen.” The Earl of Mar and Kellie then said:- “Ladies and Gentlemen, in the first place I desire to express my great regret, which no doubt you all share, that owing to continued ill-health the Governor of the Bank, Lord Breadalbane, is unable to be present today to unveil this Memorial, but at the same time I can assure you that I am deeply sensible of the privilege bestowed on me in being asked to take his place.

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