November 2006 - War Rolls of Honour Reinstated at City Park, Glasgow

A ceremony to mark the reinstatement of four War Rolls of Honour was held at City Park, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, on Saturday 11 November 2006.

Removed when the W D & H O Wills tobacco factory on Alexandra Parade closed in 1992 and stored by Glasgow City Council, the Rolls of Honour are now reinstalled within the building in a specially designed area of the lobby of what is now City Park.  

Councillor John Lynch, Executive Member for Cultural and Leisure Services of Glasgow City Council  unveiled the Rolls of Honour.  Members of the local community and representatives from The Royal British Legion Scotland also participated in the ceremony which included observing the two minutes silence at 11 am.

Speaking on behalf of Elphinstone the developers of City Park, Ken Ross, Chairman and Group Chief Executive said, "This is an important occasion at City Park and I am pleased that we have been able to reinstate the Rolls of Honour to their rightful place.

Respecting and retaining the historical significance of the building was a priority as we developed our plans to regenerate this important Glasgow landmark building.  I am delighted that members of the local community have joined with us to mark the occasion."

The Rolls of Honour list men who worked in the Glasgow tobacco industry and who died whilst serving in the two World Wars, as detailed below. 

1914 1919.  In grateful memory of the men employed by the Stephen Mitchell & Son Branch of the Imperial Tobacco Company Ltd who gave their lives in the Great War.

1914 1919.  In grateful memory of the men of the W D & H O Wills Glasgow House who gave their lives in the Great War.

1914 1919.  In honour of the men from F & J Smith branch of The Imperial Tobacco Company (of Great Britain & Ireland) Ltd who fell in the Great War.

1939 1945.  In grateful memory of those employed by W D & H O Wills at Glasgow who lost their lives in the World War.