PLAQUES 2000

ST. JAMES' CHURCH PLAQUE, Port Brae

On a sunny 25th August 2000 Mrs Charlotte Westcott unveiled a plaque marking the site where St. James' Church had once stood.

The Church was built in 1842 and was the third building in which the congregation worshipped since they left the Church Of Scotland.

The last minister of St. James' was the Rev. John Williamson. The church was closed in 1969 and was demolished a year later for, it was said, safety reasons. The road nearby was then widened and more parking spaces were made available.

Mrs Westcott had been a member of St. James' as well as her parents and grandparents. More information can be found in our book KIRKCALDY'S PLAQUES to People and Places.

GEORGE MUNRO PLAQUE,
Bennochy Cemetery

On the 18th July 2000 a group gathered to see the unveiling of a plaque to George Munro, veteran of the Crimean War. Mrs Watters opened the ceremony and then introduced Mr William MacLeod (the great grandson of George Munro, on his son-in-law's side of the family) who told us of the Munro family and their history.

 

George Munro enlisted in the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. He was sent to Turkey in June 1854 and was allowed to take his wife Jane with him. The regiment was then moved to Balaclava. Jane was involved in tending to the wounded from the Battle of Inkerman and she witnessed the Charge of the Light Brigade.

When the war ended the couple returned to Scotland. George became a sergeant and completed his 21 years service in 1860, aged 39.He became a timekeeper with Michael Nairn & Co. until he retired.
George died in 1898 aged 77.

More information can be found in our book KIRKCALDY'S PLAQUES to People and Places.