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Paisley War Memorial

Paisley War Memorial, also known as Paisley Cenotaph, is a war memorial in the centre of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Unveiled in 1924, it was upgraded from Category B to Category A listed status in 1997. Designed by architect Sir Robert Lorimer, it features a bronze equestrian sculptural group by Alice Meredith Williams on a tall granite plinth made from stone imported from Shap Fell in Cumbria. The memorial was commissioned after the First World War and funded by public subscription. Its inscription commemorates the men of Paisley who died in the Great War, with a later inscription added after the Second World War.

Paisley War Memorial stone cenotaph in a town square with carved details and dark figures on top.
The Paisley War Memorial cenotaph stands in a paved square beneath a partly cloudy sky.
March 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Paisley War Memorial on a tall stone pedestal in a public square, with dark figures on horseback and buildings behind it.
Paisley War Memorial stands on a tall stone pedestal in a city square, framed by surrounding buildings.
September 2006 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Paisley War Memorial on a tall stone pedestal in a paved town square with surrounding buildings and pedestrians.
Paisley War Memorial stands in the center of a paved square in Paisley, surrounded by stone buildings.
June 2006 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Paisley War Memorial with a stone pillar and dark statue group on horseback, seen above informational boards and a person standing below.
Paisley War Memorial with its stone pillar and dark sculptural group, shown with information boards at the base.
June 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Paisley War Memorial on a stone pedestal in a lit town square at night, with surrounding buildings and streetlights.
Paisley War Memorial stands in a bright city square at night, surrounded by illuminated buildings.
November 2013 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitlePaisley War Memorial
TypeWar memorial
Alternative namePaisley Cenotaph

Location and ownership

LocationCentre of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, in an open area between High Street, Gilmour Street, and Moss Street

Historical context

Dedicated toThe 1,953 men of Paisley who gave their lives on land and sea in the First World War
Commissioned afterThe First World War
Competition for designOpen competition with 195 entries
Funding£14,000 raised by public subscription
Unveiled27 July 1924
Listed statusCategory B listed in 1980; upgraded to Category A in 1997

Creator

Casting foundryJW Singer & Sons
Competition entry titleThe Spirit of the Crusaders
Associated model locationNational Museum of Wales, Cardiff
Stone carvingAllen & Sons
Architect of baseSir Robert Lorimer
SculptorAlice Meredith Williams
BuilderNeil McLeod & Sons Limited

Physical characteristics

Base quantityAbout 200 tons
Base formHigh stone pedestal/foundation
Base sourceImported from Shap Fell in Cumbria
Base materialGrey granite
MaterialBronze sculpture
Plinth formHigh rectangular stone plinth rising on four steps from a stone platform with a retaining wall on three sides, open to the west
Main structureBronze equestrian sculptural group on a high rectangular stone plinth

Appearance

Depicted subjectA medieval knight in armour mounted on a horse, accompanied by four infantry soldiers in First World War battledress with muddy boots, greatcoats, and helmets
Depicted motifEquestrian motif
Knight's emblemsThe knight carries a shield and pennant bearing the St Andrew's saltire for Scotland
Decorative carvingsArms of the burgh of Paisley, of St Andrew, and of St George carved into the front (south) and rear (north) faces of the plinth
PlaquesBronze plaques mounted on the east and west faces
Inscriptions"TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY/ OF THE 1,953 MEN OF PAISLEY/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON LAND/ AND SEA IN THE GREAT WAR"; "AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE/ MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS BURGH WHO/ GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY/ IN THE WORLD WAR 1939-1945"

History and restoration

Unveiling ceremonyUnveiled before a crowd of 20,000 people by Mrs Macnab, a widow who lost three sons in the Great War, with prayer by Rev. Dr A. M. MacLean of Paisley Abbey; Provost Glover and former Provost John Robertson were present
Later collaborationAfter this memorial, Alice Meredith Williams collaborated with Sir Robert Lorimer on sculptures for the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh