The refurbishment of the Garden of Remembrance has a special significance for one Ardrossan man, writes George McGrattan.

Danny Mathieson’s great-grandfather, William McCubbin, unveiled the Second World War memorial on June 1, 1947.

Mr McCubbin was chosen to perform the ceremony because he was tragically affected by the bloody conflict.

His three sons, David, James and John were all killed in action and are among the 93 men commemorated by the memorial.

The memorial was funded by the citizens of Ardrossan who contributed to the Ardrossan Welcome Home and Commemoration Fund after the war had ended.

Money was disbursed to the servicemen and women who survived the war and to the families of those who died.

The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of June 6, 1947 reported the unveiling ceremony: “The unveiling of the memorial was performed by Mr William McCubbin of Ardrossan who had three sons – the largest number from one family in the town – killed in the recent war.

Mr McCubbin had about 47 years service at sea and served for over four years in the First World War.” Danny had learned of the sad fate of his three great-uncles through stories handed down through the generations of his family but he also became interested in the other names on the memorial.

In 2008, Danny started research on the other war victims.

Of the 93 deceased, he has found information on 74 of them.

The youngest was 17 years old, the eldest 55 and the average age at death was 28.

Every November, on Remembrance Sunday, local groups and residents gather at the garden to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to secure our future.

The McCubbin family link was retained last year when William’s great-great-granddaughter, Eilidh Logan laid a wreath at the memorial her ancestor unveiled 67 years previously.

Details of Danny’s research can be found at scribd.com/doc/9418869/Ardrossan-WW2-Garden-of-Remembrance.  Anyone with family or friends named on the memorial who wants further information can contact Danny on danny.mathieson2@googlemail.com. He will be only too glad to help.