Extract from the Nairnshire Telegraph, 5th July 1921

Courtesy of Nairn Museum

The Cawdor War Memorial consisting of a cairn built of weather-worn boulders, with a Peterhead granite tablet containing the 38 names of those belonging to Cawdor Parish and district who had fallen in the Great War, was unveiled on Sunday afternoon 3rd July 1921 at 3.30pm. The memorial is prominently situated on the village green; where it can always be observed by those going to and from Cawdor. Splendid weather prevailed during the ceremony which, though short, was most impressive.
There was a large assembly, including not only residents from Cawdor, but many others from Nairn, Auldearn and other districts. All had journeyed to the scene in order to pay a last tribute of respect to the men who made the great sacrifice for King and Country.

A large company of ex-service-men, a few of whom had distinguished themselves in the war, marched from the hall under the command of Sgt Tyrie, and formed up on one side of the memorial. The Cawdor Girl Guides numbering about thirty, took up position in front, while the singing was led by a representative choir.

The Proceedings began with a short service of prayer and praise, conducted by Rev. A. H. Forbes, Parish Church, Cawdor; Rev. J. Rose, United Free Church, and Rev. Mr Firth, Free Church.

Earl Cawdor's uncle, The Hon. Ian Campbell; Admiral Munro, Auchindoune; and Mr J.S. Robertson attended the service.

The 2nd paraphrase - "0 God of Bethel" - was sung, then Rev. Mr Rose led in prayer, and afterwards Rev. Mr Firth read the lesson from Revelation, chapter 7.

Earl Cawdor, in performing the unveiling ceremony said – It is my privilege today to be called upon to unveil a memorial to those men who where brought up in the parish of Cawdor and who made the great sacrifice in the recent great war. This ceremony has been the first official one which I have attended since I succeeded to the Cawdor estate, and I feel proud to have been given an opportunity of paying tribute to those men who have set a magnificent example to posterity. It needs no words of mine to recall the deeds of valour performed by the Scottish troops in repelling the attempts made by Germany to secure the domination of Europe. As Scotchmen we have every reason to be proud of what our countrymen did in the Great War, and the names on this memorial will form a lasting tribute and reminder to succeeding generations that Cawdor men did not fail our country in her hour of need.

To the glory of god and in ever loving memory of those who laid down their lives for our empire, I will now unveil the memorial.

Mr Alexander Allan, Schoolhouse, Cawdor, then read the names on the Cairn – 38 in number – as follows:-

In grateful memory of the Officers, N.C.Os. and Men of Cawdor Parish and district who fell in the Great War
1914 – 1919

LT COL, THE HON, ERIC CAMPBELL, D.S.O. SEA HRS.

CAPT, CHARLES CAMPBELL, CAM, HRS.

LIEUT, CHARLES ROBERTSON, R.F.A.

LIEUT, IAN ROBERTSON, CAM, HRS.

SERGT MAJOR, JAMES BRUCE, D.C.M. GORD, HRS.

SERGT, JOHN MACPHERSON, AUSTRALIANS.

CPL, ALEXANDER FRASER, CAM, HRS.

CPL, DAVID FRASER, CAM, HRS.

CPL, WILLIAM MACGREGOR, CAM, HRS

CPL, ROBERT MACKENZIE, M.G.C.

CPL, KENNETH ROSS, SCOTS GUARDS.

L/CPL, DUNCAN CLARK, CAM, HRS.

L/CPL, WILLIAM ROSS, SEA, HRS.

L/CPL, KENNETH URQUHART, GORD, HRS.

PTE, ADAM CAMERON, CAM, HRS.

PTE, ROBERT CHAPMAN, BLACK WATCH.

PTE, GRIGOR CLARK, NEW ZEALANDERS.

PTE, STUART CLARK, NEW ZEALANDERS.

PTE, JOHN DOUGLAS, CAM, HRS.

PTE, ALEXANDER FALCONER, SEA, HRS.

PTE, JOHN FRASER, GORD, HRS.

PTE, JOHN HOSSACK, CAM, HRS.

PTE, ALEXANDER MACDONALD, CAM, HRS.

PTE, JOHN MACINTOSH, CAM, HRS.

PTE, JOHN MACINTOSH, CAM, HRS.

PTE, DUNCAN MACLEOD, AUSTRALIANS.

PTE, JAMES MCGREGOR, CAM, HRS.

PTE, WILLIE MCGREGOR, CAM, HRS.

PTE, ALEXANDER MOIR, CAM, HRS.

PTE, DAVID ROSS, CAM, HRS.

PTE, SIMON ROSS, SEA, HRS

PTE, DONALD RUSSEL, AUSTRALIANS.

PTE, THOMAS RUSSEL, SCOTS GUARDS.

PTE, ARCHIBALD SMITH, CAM, HRS.

PTE, ANDREW VASS, CANADIANS.

PTE, JOHN WATSON, ROYAL SCOTS.

GUNNER, EBENEZER MORRISON, R.G.A.

GUNNER, PETER SHAW, CANADIAN, F.A.

THEIR NAME LIVITH FOR EVERMORE

Rev Mr Forbes having dedicated the memorial in Prayer, Paraphrase 66 - "How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine” was sung. All present then joined in singing the National Anthem.
A lament for the fallen was played by Piper H.W. McPherson, Cawdor, and the sounding of the "Last Post" by three buglers from the Seaforth Highlanders, Fort George, concluded the ceremony.

The arrangements connected with this outstanding event in Cawdor’s History was most efficiently carried out.