In the Christmas 1949 issue of the school magazine, the rector records, "The most notable event of the session occurred in November, with the unveiling of the War Memorial.

It commemorates the 69 former pupils of Airdrie Academy who lost their lives in the war of 1939 to 1945, and was provided out of funds subscribed by the school, by former pupils and by the people of Airdrie.

It takes the form of a solid oak reading desk for the Hall and contains a handsomely bound Roll of Honour.' The Memorial was unveiled on 5th November by Mr John Anderson, and dedicated by the Reverend P B W Cowie. The ceremony was an impressive one and was attended not only by staff and pupils but by relatives and friends of many of those whose names are inscribed in the Roll of Honour."

In the same issue of the magazine is a touching tribute to those who died, penned by A M L, Class VI.

Lest We Forget

Everywhere there is an air of expectancy, a sense of festivity. Lights are gleaming from shop windows filled with things that everyone of us would like to find in our stocking on Christmas morning. When we look on such things we wonder how anyone could possibly be unhappy at this time.
 
Have we forgotten the heartbreak thrust on so many happy homes in the years 1939-1945?

 

It is at this time of year when families are drawn more closely together that memories open the wounds and the terrible agonising pain returns to the heart once more, The mother and father remember the shining happy face of their small son as he saw what Santa Claus had brought for him. The sisters and brothers remember how they used to help to decorate the house on Christmas Eve and how they used to write letters to Santa Claus before going to bed on 24th December. When all the family are gathered round the table on Christmas Day there is an empty chair.
 
These are all such small things but they hurt so much. Let us, whose family circle is complete, who lost none, spare a moment or two on Christmas Day to think of those who are not so fortunate and let us pray that time will heal these dreadful wounds.
 
Some weeks ago our memorial was unveiled. We all know how beautiful and touching a ceremony it was, and we salute the brave parents and friends who faced such an ordeal so wonderfully well. Every day we see the memorial as we go back and forth.
 
What does it mean to you? Is it just a beautifully carved piece of wood, or does it make you think of the gallant youths in whose memory it is there? Perhaps you may say, "Oh, I didn't know any of them. What difference does it make to me?" Think of it this way then.
 
Every one of those young people was once your age; some had the same interests as you have; talked about the same things and thought the same way. The war came along. They all joined the forces and every one of them died so that you could enjoy life as they once did. Some of them could quite easily have avoided being called up but they didn't. They fought and died so that we might live. Are we worthy of such a sacrifice?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

These former pupils of our school loved us and gave themselves for us. Let us remember this as we enjoy ourselves this festive season and let us rejoice in such love and sacrifice.

(The Academy's Memorial to those who died in the Great War was moved from the old building and set into the north wall of the new Assembly Hall. When the new building on South Commonside Avenue opened in 2006, the Memorial was again relocated to a wall in the main assembly hall)