An octagonal granite Celtic cross records Beith’s war dead and occupies the prominent site to which it was moved after the Second World War.
Quick facts
- Date
- Designed 1919; unveiled 1920; resited 1947
- Architect / designer
- Robert Boyd McLachlan III; later work by Andrew McLachlan
- Type
- Granite Celtic-cross war memorial
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB49738)
- OS grid reference
- NS 34715 54365
Architecture and continuing use
A four-stage octagonal base supports inscribed panels, a tall column, carved wreath and Celtic cross. Low walls and steps shape the memorial ground at Janefield Place.
Its story
The town selected a hilltop site in 1919 and unveiled Robert McLachlan’s memorial in 1920. It was moved to Janefield Place in 1947, when Andrew McLachlan added Second World War names.
Why it is included
The monument links public subscription, local stone carving, changing urban setting and two generations of commemoration.
What to notice
- Celtic knotwork on the cross.
- Names distributed around the octagonal pedestal.
- The carved laurel wreath at the foot of the column.
Reading the surroundings
Approach by public paths, take care on steps and road edges, and give ceremonies priority. Do not climb, lean equipment on the stone or obscure names.
Timeline
- 18 October 1919 A local committee selected the original Bigholm Hill site.
- 6 November 1920 The completed memorial was unveiled for Beith’s First World War dead.
- 13 July 1947 The cross was rededicated at Janefield Place with Second World War names added.
- 2026 The memorial remained a public focal point within its landscaped enclosure.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Transcriptions should be checked directly against the monument or an authoritative roll before genealogical use.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Beith War Memorial, LB49738 — Current designation status, official mapped location, date, fabric and significance.
- North Ayrshire Heritage: Beith War Memorial — Official local-history account of design, unveiling, relocation and Second World War additions.
- War Memorials Online: Beith — Current memorial record, setting, inscriptions and condition-reporting route.
- Trove search: Beith War Memorial Janefield Place — National collection search for site records, surveys and archive material.
Location
OS grid reference NS 34715 54365 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access and current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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