SMM+S

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

Today is the 55th anniversary of the events commemorated. Plenty of photos to show the surrounding area and show off the Galloway hills as well.

OS Map Ref NX 515 852. To visit this memorial you need park your car at the Forrest Lodge car park (NX 553 863) – remember to visit the Black Watch statue nearby. It is then a brisk one hour walk along forest tracks following signs towards Loch Dungeon, after about 40 minutes the track goes round to the left, go straight on across the new bridge (under construction Jan 2009). The memorial is about 1 mile further on, rather obvious and surrounded by a circular stone dyke. Map and compass needed.

“ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF RALPH FORLOW. THE BRAVE SHEPHERD BOY WHO DIED IN THE BLIZZARD OF 27TH JANUARY,1954. AGED 17 YEARS.
GIE HIM HIS PLACE AMANG THE GREAT
THE MEN O' WAR OR KIRK OR STATE
AN' ADD THIS MESSAGE CHISELLED DEEP
THE GUID HERO DIED TO SAVE HIS SHEEP.”

For four days a blizzard had raged through the glens of Galloway, and on the hills, every nook and cranny of shelter was covered deep with snow.
From his lonely cottage at Burnhead of Kells, seventeen year old Ralph Forlow looked out on the storm - and thought of his sheep.
The sheep were five miles away, but the gallant Ralph fastened his coat, called his collie dog and strode into the storm.
Alas, it was the last time he trudged over his beloved hills... Next day, they found him with his sheep, his faithful dog still standing over his body.
Now, in Kirkinner churchyard, a memorial has been put up at the young shepherd's last resting place.

Having walked it today, from the place where he died back to his house and safety takes about 40 minutes but the tracks were probably not so good back then.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

Spoons

Thank you for posting it on the anniversary. I note his gravestone says 28th January though.

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

I think that would be the date the body was found.

\Paul

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

That makes sense. I'm glad you managed to get some photographs after it had being snowing. It seems more appropriate to see the sheep stell with a white coating.

I take it the cairn was built from the stones of the stell wall?

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

a very different view of this memorial which was renovated by Forrest estate last year.

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject:

That is a great effort by the estate, this memorial looks really good at this time of year.

Thanks

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project