Refurbishing the Memorial

On the 27 February 2017, Central Govan Action Plan and Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative announced a public consultation for the next phase of Public Space Improvements, including proposals to refurbish the Govan War Memorial. By this time approaching 95 years old, various signs of wear and tear were apparent, including some undermining of the monument by the roots of a nearby tree. A programme of repointing and cleaning would therefore be appropriate.

This gave the Govan Reminiscence Group an idea – with the refurbishment works likely to require the disassembly of the monument, an opportunity would exist to retrieve the Roll of Honour, take a note of the names recorded on it (for future research purposes), then replace it in the refurbished structure. The funding and permission to do this took some two years but was eventually agreed in February 2019.

Work on the War Memorial refurbishment began on 3rd June 2019, conducted by Graciela Ainsworth Conservation – this following an assessment by Fiona Sinclair Architect. During the refurbishment the bronze plaque was (eventually) removed and the casket retrieved, along with a small tin containing coins, presumably those reported as having been deposited by Mrs Whittaker at the unveiling ceremony.

AOC Archaeology undertook the conservation work on the retrieved items but sadly found water had penetrated the casket. As a consequence, the paper roll of honour, together with the associated copy of the Govan Press, had been reduced to illegible mush. The little tin transpired to be a white metal shaving soap tin which contained coins including a farthing (dated 1921), a halfpenny (date illegible), a penny (date 1921) and a shilling (dated 1922).