The rededication of Kilmarnock Academy War memorial to mark 100^th anniversary.

CentreStage hosts service to mark important date

On Friday 24^th March, ex-service men and women, members of the Royal British Legion along with Deputy Provost and East Ayrshire councillors gathered at CentreStage, in the former Kilmarnock Academy building, to rededicate Kilmarnock’s first war memorial on its 100^th anniversary.

The memorial was unveiled on 24^th March 1923, 4 years before the Town’s own memorial. The Kilmarnock Standard of the time described it; ‘The Stateliness of its proportions, its simplicity and dignity and quiet restfulness, hold and charm the eye’

The Kilmarnock Academy memorial recognises those who fought and died in the Great War who were pupils and masters of the former school.

Alongside readings and a history of the war memorial itself, invited guests also listened to music from CentreStage’s Unlikely Lads and other musical performers with songs such as Oh Danny Boy and The Green Fields of France before Stewart Finlay, Royal British Legion read ‘For The Fallen’ preceding the Last Post.

Deputy Provost, Claire Allison, was invited to lay the wreath to mark the service.

CentreStage maintains the War Memorial, which is open to the public, and there is also a book of biographies of the men who are named on the monument itself.

Members of the public are welcome to view the memorial at any time within CentreStage.