Item no $40 I
+ €DIN BVRGH + O%-W Ce THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL I
A New War Memorial for Edinburgh
The City of Edinburgh Council
IMay2008
I Purpose of report
1.I This report responds to Council decisions of IJune 2006 and 25 October 2007 which instructed me to investigate the options and costs for a “suitable commemoration to recognise all who fought in World War II” and to recommend how the courage of Edinburgh-born men and women who have been awarded bravery medals could be commemorated, with specific recognition of the bravery of Corporal Mark Wright GC, who was killed in Afghanistan in February 2006. The relevant motions, as approved, are attached at Appendix 1.
2 Summary
2.1 I established a short life working group to appraise options for the creation of a memorial to those who fought in World War II.
2.2 The group researched three areas:
examples of recent memorials from Europe and the USA:
potential location; and
0 the planning, budget and development process.
2.3 This report includes a review of comparisons from Europe and the USA, indicates alternative options, identifies a programme of consultation and makes recommendations for the next steps.
2.4 Consideration has also been given to addressing the issues of the commemoration of individuals or groups of people who have shown outstanding courage.
2.5 I have identified a location and context for a new memorial which would allow for the recognition of individuals from Edinburgh who have lost their lives in recent conflicts or who may lose their lives in future military operations, as called for in the appropriate Council decisions (Appendix I ).
1 3 MainReport
Survey of other Recent Memorials 3.1 No two places have chosen the same way of commemorating World War II, though there are many common factors. 3.2 The largest recent memorial is the National World War II memorial in Washington DC which opened in 2004. This is a memorial to all Americans who served in the armed forces and on the home front and covers all geographic areas (Europe, Pacific etc). Although this is the national memorial, many American towns and cities have their own smaller memorials commemorating local veterans and heroes. As there are many examples it is difficult to pick a typical monument. However, the town of Littleton, Colorado, erected a fine, suitable and moving memorial in 2000. 3.3 In London, there is the 2005 memorial to women in World War II whilst, in Staffordshire, the Armed Forces Memorial, inaugurated in 2007, stands in the centre of the National Memorial Arboretum. 3.4 Across Europe, many of the memorials are associated with specific events. In France, war memorials are mostly associated with the cemeteries of World War I, or with the dead in the Normandy landings. There is also a very fine memorial to the Deported Martyrs in Paris.
e Similarly, in 2000, Vienna chose to commission Rachel Whiteread for its Holocaust Memorial in the Judenplatz. Her concrete library of books to represent the departed has been greatly admired. In 2006, Rome erected a monument to the Allied Forces killed in actions to liberate the city, especially at Monte Cassino and Anzio; this supplements the memorial in the graveyard at Monte Cassino. In Amsterdam, the main focus of remembrance has been shifted to the museum in the reconstructed Anne Frank’s House. 3.5 In addition, most towns and cities across Europe have a mixture of memorials similar to those already in existence in Edinburgh (Appendix 2). These include memorials to earlier wars, with additions; memorials to specific individual or regimental actions; and memorials commemorating local losses. Many towns and cities make a particular feature of the old Jewish quarter and few are without a stone or small sculpture to the Jewish dead, Many of the most moving and informative Jewish memorials are in small German towns, such as the museum in Worms associated with the synagogue and Jewish ritual baths. 3.6 Illustrations of some of these memorials are attached at Appendix 5 and a list of memorials in Edinburgh is at Appendix 2. 3.7 In Australia, the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) has co-ordinated the provision of Gardens of Remembrance in communities across the country. Appendix 3 includes a synopsis of the purpose and management of these, together with photographs of the most recent example, in Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
2 A New Memorial for Edinburgh
3.8 A number of options were considered in relation to the purpose of this memorial. In light of the decisions taken by the Council, I believe it is appropriate that all those from Edinburgh who have fallen in war should be commemorated. This would allow for the fallen from past conflicts, together with those from present and future wars and peacekeeping operations, to be commemorated.
3.9 As a result of this process, the working group came to recognise the value of a memorial which would celebrate the spirit and unity of the community.
3.10 The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the centrepiece of which is the Armed Forces Memorial, was of particular interest. Appendix 4 gives some information about the nature of this very special place.
3.1 I With its combination of formal memorials and a parkland setting, it provides many opportunities for the fallen of all conflicts to be remembered in peace and tranquillity. It also provides for individuals and groups to be remembered in a distinct way.
3.1 2 The Australian model could be altered to suit a city centre location, in Princes Street Gardens - either a formal Garden of Remembrance or an area of the existing gardens adapted to include provision for the commemoration of named individuals and groups.
3.1 3 After examining all the options, I endorse the working group’s conclusion that a memorial setting of an appropriate scale could be created in West Princes Street Gardens. Subject to the views of Historic Scotland, the intention would be to commission design work to explore the potential for a memorial based around the three listed shelters on the upper level of the Gardens. While these are currently in poor condition, they are B listed structures and, if linked, would be capable of accommodating the Garden of Remembrance created to the east of the Scott Monument for Armistice Day every year. This would provide a suitable city centre site, appropriate to its solemn purpose, and has the potential to match the best existing memorials, which combine artistic and aesthetic merit with remembrance and reconciliation.
3.14 In addition, a proposal is being considered for the development of an arboretum on land between Greendykes and Edmonstone as .part of the re-development of Craigmillar. This could be developed as a memorial arboretum, along the lines of that in Staffordshire. Although on the edge of the city, it is on main transport routes and would have outstanding views northwards across the city. This should be considered further, in addition to the memorial setting in Princes Street Gardens.
Commissioning a Memorial
3.15 A permanent memorial would require planning permission and fisted building consent. It would be important to ensure a memorial setting of the highest quality by employing an architect and artisvdesigner to create something suitable for this highly sensitive area in the heart of the World Heritage Site. 3 3.16 It would also be necessary to produce a standard design for the commemoration of named individuals, groups, units or organisations.
3.1 7 A Memorial Arboretum would need to be planned in conjunction with the partners and appropriate stakeholders. Guidance on the design and placement of memorials would be required.
Site Management 3.1 8 If the Council agrees to proceed with a permanent Memorial Setting, there will need to be an appropriate mechanism put in place to receive and consider nominations for recognition. From a point of view of public expectation, this should be handled through the Lord Provost's Office, with decisions made by the Council. 3.19 It is proposed, however, that Corporal Mark Wright GC be admitted as the first d ed icatee ,
4 Consultation 4.1 Initial consultation with the parents of Corporal Mark Wright GC has indicated a strong preference for a city centre site, preferably in Princes Street Gardens. 4.2 Any move to create a new memorial is sensitive and will need to be the subject of further consultation with representatives of veterans' organisations and families. Depending on the site or sites chosen, there may also need to be discussions with other interested groups and organisations, including government agencies. In particular, I intend to invite Historic Scotland to be involved in any developments involving the three listed shelters on the upper level of Princes Street Gardens.
5 Financial Implications 5.1 The Council will need to take responsibility for the tong term upkeep of the site in Princes Street Gardens and the memorials in place there. Revenue funding will need to be identified for this ongoing maintenance, as this cannot readily be contained within existing budgets. It is anticipated that the memorials themselves will be financed by public subscription. In addition, the creation of a permanent Memorial Setting will require substantial funding, which would be likely to come from a mixture of sources. 5.2 Funding will need to be identified to commission the design for the memorial setting. Past experience indicates a likely cost in the order of f20,OOO. This will be identified by the Directors of City Development, Corporate Services and Services for Communities and split equally across the three departments.
6 Conclusion 6.1 Following examination of a range of options, I consider that the two most appropriate are a natural setting, akin to the National Memorial Arboretum, or a Garden of Remembrance or other appropriate setting in Princes Street Gardens.
4 6.2 Initial consultation with Mr and Mrs Wright indicated a strong preference for a city centre location. The arguments used were most persuasive, relating as they did to access and visibility. 6.3 The Australian model, therefore, of a Garden of Remembrance, has a strong attraction, as an inspiration for an appropriate memorial setting. 6.4 Additionally, the potential creation of an arboretum to the south of the city presents an opportunity to create a more wide-ranging memorial to all fallen in all wars. 6.5 All existing memorials from the Napoleonic Wars onwards have been funded by public subscription or private initiative. Once proposals have been developed, further investigation into opportunities for funding from a variety of sources will need to be undertaken.
7 Recommendations 7.1 It is recommended that Council:
(i) agrees in principle to the creation of a Memorial Setting based around the three listed shelters on the Upper Level of West Princes Street Gardens, for individual memorials to the bravery of Edinburgh-born men and women, subject to the views of Historic Scotland. This location would also incorporate the functions of the current seasonal Garden of Remembrance adjacent to the Scott Monument, as shown in Appendix 6(a) and described in paragraph 3.14;
(ii) notes that I have instructed officials from the departments of Services for Communities, City Development and Corporate Services to work together, under the leadership of the Director of Corporate Services, to commission the development of a design for both the landscape setting and the individual memorials, and to undertake formal consultation with veterans’ organisations, families and other appropriate parties, with a view to reporting back to the Council at its meeting in October, so that a formal announcement can be made in connection with Armistice Day 2008; and to work with potential partners to assess the viability of creating a memorial arboretum at Edmonstone as shown in Appendix 6(b); and
(iii) agrees to admit Corporal Mark Wright GC as the first dedicatee of an individual memorial within the Memorial Setting in Princes Street Gardens, as proposed in paragraph 3.1 9. d*&eL, Tom Aitchison Chief Executive 3/4/89
5 Appendices I.Wording of the motions approved by the Council, 1 June 2006 and 25 October 2007 2. Existing War Memorials in Edinburgh 3. Australian Gardens of Remembrance 4. The National Memorial Arboretum and Armed Forces Memorial 5. Illustrations of recent war memorials 6. The proposed site in Princes Street Gardens and potential site for an arboretum at Edmonstone
Contactltel. Frank Little, Museums Manager 0131 529 3994; David Jamieson, Parks and Greenspace Manager 0131 529 7055
Wards affected City wide
Background Papers
6 APPENDIX I
Motion approved by the Council on 1 June 2006
“Last year, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II was marked throughout the country. In Edinburgh this took the form of a Service of Remembrance at St Giles Cathedral, a procession and a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance, here at the City Chambers.
While there are a number of war memorials in Edinburgh, none relate to all those who fought in World War II.
That the Council considers a suitable commemoration to recognise all who fought in World War II; that this should be sited in the city centre, possibly in Princes Street Gardens; and that the Chief Executive is instructed to investigate options and costs.”
Motions approved by the Council 25 October 2007
“This Council recognises the sacrifice that was made by Mark Wright who was killed in action in Afghanistan on 6 September 2006. Mark was awarded the George Cross for bravery in saving the lives of his comrades when they came under fire from Taliban forces. This was the second time Mark was cited for bravery under fire. The Council agrees to acknowledge Mark’s bravery and his contribution to the creation of a free and democratic Afghanistan by creating a suitable memorial.”
“Co unciI : notes the numerous acts of bravery shown by a number of service men and women who were born in Edinburgh and have been awarded bravery medals for their service to their country, such as Corporal Mark Wright GC and Corporal Thomas Hunter VC; believes that the city of their birth should recognise their bravery and sacrifices; calls for the Chief Executive to prepare a report investigating a location and suitable form for a memorial to be erected in honour of the bravery of these Edinburgh-born service men and women; the report to include details for the creation of a public subscription to fund this memorial, to be administered by the Council; and further, the report to detail how the Council could work with citizens, public, voluntary and private sector bodies to raise sufficient funds to erect the memorial and also provide details of those commemorated on it on the Council’s website, so their acts of bravery can be understood and remembered by future generations.”
7 APPENDIX 2 EXISTING WAR MEMORIALS IN EDINBURGH
Location Memorial Listed Building Status, if any Bank Street North Black Watch War Memorial B
Calton Hill National Monument A
Calton Hill Nelson Monument
Castle Esplanade Earl Haig Statue
Dalmeny Village Dalmeny War Memorial C
Duddingston Duddingston War Memorial
338 Gorgie Road Gorgie Memorial Hall
Haymarket Heart of Midlothian Football Club War Memorial Clock
High Street City Chambers War Memorial
Lauriston Castle Burma Star Memorial foot of Leith Walk Queen Victoria Statue C
Newhaven, Main Street Newhaven War Memorials
North Bridge King’s Own Scottish Borderers Memorial B
Prestonfield Avenue Prestonfield War Memorial
Princes Street Gardens, Memorial to ‘Spanish Brigade’ East
Princes Street Gardens, Liberation of Belsen Memorial Stone West Norwegian Memorial Stone
Royal Scots Greys B
Royal Scots War Memorial
Scottish-American War Memorial B
Pilrig Street, Gretna Disaster Memorial Rosebank Cemetery
Ratho Ratho War Memorial Scheduled Ancient Monument and B listed Redhall Park Slateford War Memorial
8 APPENDIX 3
GARDENS OF REMEMBRANCE, AUSTRALIA
In Australia a particular form of Garden of Remembrance has developed to commemorate the fallen in their home towns. This narrative comes from the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG ) we bsite (http ://www. dva .g ov. adcorn me m/oawg/ga rdens/i ndex. ht m) In commemorating eligible veterans in this way a plaque is placed on a wall in the company of others who served, surrounded by gardens created to maintain an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. A brochure may be obtained by contacting OAWG or the Garden of Remembrance in each State. Commemoration in a Garden of Remembrance is provided to eligible veterans if the family have arranged a private memorial in a cemetery or crematorium or made arrangements for ashes to be scattered elsewhere. Official Gardens of Remembrance do not provide for the placement of remains or ashes. A plaque in a Garden of Remembrance is an alternative, not an additional form of commemoration. Arrangements can be made for a photograph of the plaque if a widow/widower or family member is unable to visit the veteran’s official memorial. The Office of Australian War Graves maintains all official memorials in perpetuity, keeping them in good order through a yearly maintenance program. Staff are located at most Gardens of Remembrance Monday to Friday and can provide assistance when available. Plaque location registers are located at each Garden and at larger sites a visitors’ room is available, when staff are present. The site provides contact information for Gardens throughout Australia. An impressive recent example is illustrated on the website of the architects: http://www.philipleeson.com.au/architecture/public/Ol/ As is clear, the purpose is to commemorate individuals and they cover all wars and peacekeeping operations right up to the present day.
The following pages contain photographs taken at the opening ceremony.
The creation of such a garden in central Edinburgh would provide a model for other cities at a time when the armed forces and their families are under pressure from the demands placed upon them.
arden of Remembrance Opening
The Hon Teresa Gambaro MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, opened the ACT Garden of Remembrance on 9 November 2005. More than 3000people gathered at the opening to honour the memory of over 2000 deceased veterans from Canberra and surrounding New South Wales already commemorated within the newly constructed Garden.
In addition to the many walls and official commemorative bronze plaques, the ACT Gardenfeatures
9 Chinese Elm trees.
The ACT Garden of Remembrance Wreaths laid at the entry plinth symbolic art work, shelter and some of the commemorative walls
Judith Young and Mrs Joyce Crooke opening of the inspect Mrs Young's husband's plaque ACT Garden of Remembrance displayed on a commemorative wall at the ACT Garden of Remembrance
10 APPENDIX 4 ARMED FORCES MEMORIAL, NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, STAFFORDSHIRE
This stunning memorial contains the names of 16,000 Service men and women killed on duty or by terrorist action since the end of the Second World War, engraved in stone around its walls. Designed by Liam O’Connor, the Memorial is a magnificent piece of architecture in its own right. It embraces a peaceful setting with space for families and friends to remember their loved ones. The sculptural elements are by Ian Rank-Broadley.
The National Memorial Arboretum is the United Kingdom’s living and lasting memorial to commemorate and celebrate: those who have given their lives in the service of their country, all who have served and those who have suffered as a result of conflict, 11 others who for specific or appropriate reasons are commemorated on the site. “The Arboretum is a unique haven of peace, contemplation and hope for the future and is the site of the newly dedicated Armed Forces Memorial. It consists of 150 acres of wooded parkland within the National Forest in Staffordshire where visitors can both enjoy and learn about the frees and their surroundings, and reflect upon their special symbolism. Redland Aggregates (now Lafarge) gave 82 acres of reclaimed gravel workings to the project. This has now been extended to a further 70 acres including a wildlife lake.
The Trees
“Visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum can enjoy a wide variety of trees - many of which have a relevance to the memorials around them. Although still a ‘young’ arboretum, there are already in excess of 50,000 trees on the site which are rapidly growing into a unique living b tribute. ” The Ulster Grove
“In the wood dedicated to the Merchant Navy convoys, E some 2,536 oaks represent the number of British flagged merchant vessels lost to enemy action during World War 11. ”
When the Arboretum was first planted at the end of the last century, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt indicated that it had a small leaved lime, Tilia cordata, that experts believed was several thousand years old, making it the longest living thing in Britain. Cuttings from this tree were taken and planted in 2000 at the National Memorial Arboretum to form Millennium Avenue, making this avenue, genetically, the oldest in Some OT tne zxm oaKs of the country.” the Merchant Navy Convoy
I School groups visit and learn about “Symbols of Remembrance” 12