Public appeal launched to restore century-old war memorial at Eastern Cemetery in Leith

A public appeal has been launched to restore a century-old war memorial at Eastern Cemetery in Leith.

The campaign, Project Heritage, aims to raise £40,000 to repair and reinstate the historic sandstone and bronze memorial, which honours former residents of Whitefoord House on the Royal Mile who died between 1917 and 1948.

Measuring seven metres wide and nearly two metres tall, the historic memorial features 11 separate bronze panels and five intricate carved motifs. It is currently in a state of disrepair, with a significant forward lean, and requires specialist conservation to prevent further deterioration.

Now, veterans are among those campaigning to raise £40,000 to restore it to its former glory in time for this year’s Remembrance Day.

Whitefoord House supports veterans like Gordon Duffy, who, after leaving the army, struggled with PTSD and found himself homeless- he says he wouldn’t be here today without the support he received.

He said: “I was in a really bad way, but through courses, Whitefoord started helping me get back to where I was – they have a great psychiatrist there. I started turning my life around – if it wasn’t for Whitefoord I would probably have ended up dead or on the street- I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Gordon comes to this memorial frequently to pay his respects to those who fought between 1917 and 1948 and spent their final days at the facility that changed his life.

He is campaigning for the monument to be repaired. It now has a significant tilt and requires specialist conservation to prevent further deterioration.

Martin Nadin, CEO of the Scottish Veterans Residences, said: “It is quite a significant sum of money, but as people will probably appreciate, this year is the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe and the war in the far East so we are hoping that with that increased attention people will be willing to donate to the restoration of this particular memorial.”

Professor Beverly Bergman, a veteran who served for 42 years, said: “Stone, like any natural product, eventually weathers and deteriorates over time, and if you don’t maintain it, eventually it becomes so dangerous that it has to be taken down.

“That would be such a pity because it’s only through memorials such as this one that we remember the names of those who devoted their careers to making sure that this country and its interests are kept safe.”