Scots American War Memorial
Encyclopedia
The Scots American War Memorial or Scottish American War Memorial is in Princes Street Gardens
in Edinburgh
. It was called "The Call", and it was erected in 1927 and shows a kilted infrantyman looking towards Castle Rock. Behind the main statue is a frieze showing queues of men answering the call by following a kilted pipe band
. The memorial was given by Scottish-Americans to honour Scots
who had served in the first World War.
, Alanson B Houghton
.
Mackintosh's text reads "if it be life that waits, I shall live forever unconquered. If death, I shall die at last, strong in my pride and free."
"The Call" was designed by R. Tait McKenzie
who was a Scottish Canadian working at the time at the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia. McKenzie only took to sculpture in later life having started his interests in physical education. His sculpture invariably was of life size male athletic figures. This work took him four years to complete. The bronze backdrop frieze shows Scots of differing professions answering the call and changing from civilians into marching soldiers. It was also by McKenzie, but the architect Reginald Fairlie
was also involved. The stonework is constructed from Craigleith
sandstone. At the very top of the design are the two intertwined escutcheons
of America and Scotland. The memorial was said to have cost ten thousand pounds at the time it was built.
At the bottom of the frieze are lines from E. A. Mackintosh's
poem "A Creed": "If it be life that waits I shall live forever unconquered; if death I shall die at last strong in my pride and free." Mackintosh was a 23-year-old ex-Oxford Classics student of Scottish descent who was killed at the second Battle of Cambrai
in 1917.
When R Tait McKenzie died he hoped to have his heart buried beneath "The Call" which he considered his best work.
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is a public park in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and the creation of the New Town. The Nor Loch was a large loch in the centre of the city. It was...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. It was called "The Call", and it was erected in 1927 and shows a kilted infrantyman looking towards Castle Rock. Behind the main statue is a frieze showing queues of men answering the call by following a kilted pipe band
Pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
. The memorial was given by Scottish-Americans to honour Scots
Scots
Scots may refer to:*The Scottish people, the inhabitants of Scotland*Scots language *Scotch-Irish*Scottish English*Scots pine, a Scottish tree*Short for Pound Scots...
who had served in the first World War.
History
The memorial was paid for by The Scottish - American War Memorial Committee representing Scottish-Americans as a tribute to the bravery of Scottish troops during World War I. It was unveiled on the 7th September 1927 by the United States Ambassador to BritainUnited States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
The office of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom was traditionally, and still is very much so today due to the Special Relationship, the most prestigious position in the United States Foreign Service...
, Alanson B Houghton
Alanson B. Houghton
Alanson Bigelow Houghton was an American businessman, politician, and diplomat who served as a Congressman and Ambassador. He was a member of the Republican Party.-Early life and business career:...
.
Mackintosh's text reads "if it be life that waits, I shall live forever unconquered. If death, I shall die at last, strong in my pride and free."
"The Call" was designed by R. Tait McKenzie
R. Tait McKenzie
Robert Tait McKenzie was an internationally renowned Canadian-born sculptor, doctor, soldier, physical educator, athlete and Scouter...
who was a Scottish Canadian working at the time at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in Philadelphia. McKenzie only took to sculpture in later life having started his interests in physical education. His sculpture invariably was of life size male athletic figures. This work took him four years to complete. The bronze backdrop frieze shows Scots of differing professions answering the call and changing from civilians into marching soldiers. It was also by McKenzie, but the architect Reginald Fairlie
Reginald Fairlie
Reginald Francis Joseph Fairlie was a Scottish architect.Born at Kincaple, Fife, he was educated in Birmingham....
was also involved. The stonework is constructed from Craigleith
Craigleith, Edinburgh
Craigleith is a district of north Edinburgh, Scotland. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic Creag liath meaning 'grey rock' which was obtained from Craigleith quarry. Much of the Craigleith sandstone was used to build the old and new town houses in Edinburgh as well as many famous buildings...
sandstone. At the very top of the design are the two intertwined escutcheons
Escutcheon
In heraldry, an escutcheon is a shield which forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms. The word is used in two related senses....
of America and Scotland. The memorial was said to have cost ten thousand pounds at the time it was built.
At the bottom of the frieze are lines from E. A. Mackintosh's
Ewart Alan Mackintosh
Lieutenant Ewart Alan Mackintosh MC was a war poet and an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders from December 1914. Mackintosh was killed whilst observing the second day of the second Battle of Cambrai, 21 November 1917...
poem "A Creed": "If it be life that waits I shall live forever unconquered; if death I shall die at last strong in my pride and free." Mackintosh was a 23-year-old ex-Oxford Classics student of Scottish descent who was killed at the second Battle of Cambrai
Battle of Cambrai
The Battle of Cambrai was a British campaign of the First World War. Cambrai, in the Nord département , was a key supply point for the German Siegfried Stellung and the nearby Bourlon Ridge would be an excellent gain from which to threaten the rear of the German line to the north...
in 1917.
When R Tait McKenzie died he hoped to have his heart buried beneath "The Call" which he considered his best work.