There are thousands of war memorials around the country and hundreds in Dumfries and Galloway. Dumfries and Galloway Council maintain war memorials in accordance to best practice conservation principles as set out by the United Kingdom's War Memorial Trust.

Details of which can be found using the following link War Memorials Trust - Conservation principles.

War Memorials provide a permanent tribute to those who fell in the service of our country and we owe a great debt to the war dead whose memories should be treated with respect.

Each memorial is unique, chosen by their respective community or organisation and there are many different types including a cenotaph, plaque, statue, a dedicated seat, stained glass window. There are also many private and personal memorials which have been commissioned by family members as a dedication to loved ones.

The names of those recorded on a memorial may only be remembered on that monument making it important to preserve it to commemorate that individual's sacrifice. Who is recorded varies and often local memorials will contain the names of families still living in the community and as communities change, war memorials can provide a link to the history of an area. They are a display of remembrance particularly on occasions such as Remembrance Sunday or anniversary events. Additionally many war memorials are important to the country's architectural and artistic heritage.

After the First World War, many commissions for the design of Scottish war memorials went to famous architects like Sir Robert Lorimer and Sir Reginald Blomfield and sculptors and artists such as Alexander Proudfoot, Douglas Hamilton, Louis Reid Deuchars, Scott Sutherland, Henry Price, Henry Fehr and Jessie M. King. They were also responsible for quite a few of our war memorials in Dumfries and Galloway. For further information you can visit the following website which may be of interest - Scottish Military Research Group.

The following links will take you to the Dumfries and Galloway War Memorial information pages, showing those which we maintain.

Where possible, we have provided links to the United Kingdom Imperial War Museum if the memorials are listed there:-

Annandale and Eskdale
Nithsdale
Stewartry
Wigtown