An Arts and Crafts memorial by T Aikman Swan gives enduring civic form to Tranent’s remembrance of wartime loss.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1923; later Second World War plaque
- Architect / designer
- T Aikman Swan
- Type
- First World War memorial with later commemoration
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB42098)
- OS grid reference
- NT 40542 72805
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
A sculpted stone memorial combines a tall central composition, carved emblems and inscribed panels within a carefully detailed enclosure. A later plaque extends commemoration beyond the First World War.
Its story
Tranent erected the memorial in 1923 to name and commemorate local people lost in the First World War. Later inscription extended its purpose after 1945, and the monument continues to support collective remembrance.
Why it is included
The Category B memorial contributes high-quality public design, named community memory and a continuing ceremonial role to the town centre.
What to notice
- Arts and Crafts handling of carved stone.
- Original First World War names and dedication.
- Later plaque extending the memorial’s chronological reach.
Reading the surroundings
Treat the memorial as a place of remembrance. Use surrounding public space considerately, do not climb or sit on the monument and avoid interrupting ceremonies or people paying respects.
Timeline
- 1923 Tranent unveiled T Aikman Swan’s memorial to its First World War dead.
- After 1945 A further plaque extended commemoration to the Second World War.
- 1992 Category B listing recognised the monument’s special interest.
- 2026 The memorial continues to support civic acts of remembrance.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Individual inscriptions should be checked directly or against a specialist memorial register before genealogical use.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Tranent War Memorial, LB42098 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- East Lothian Council: Tranent Town Centre Strategy — Local-authority context for the protected monument, historic core and continuing public realm.
Location
OS grid reference NT 40542 72805 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · 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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