The co-ordinator of a major new monument to be erected in memory of Scottish soldiers who died during World War I will visit the University of Glasgow today (27 February 2007).

Erwin Ureel will discuss the establishment of a Celtic cross made from Corrennie pink granite in Flanders, Belgium, to mark the great contribution of Scotland to the war effort.

Erwin Ureel said: 'The Memorial will commemorate Scottish soldiers in the same way as, for example, the South African National Memorial at Delville Wood. It will be located on the line, which was reached by the 15th (Scottish) Division on 31 July 1917, the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres.'

Director of the Scottish Centre for War Studies at Glasgow University, Dr William Mulligan, said: 'The erection of this monument is an important marker of the Scottish contribution to the First World War, particularly to the Third Battle of Ypres which took place in Flanders. It will commemorate all those Scots who died during the war.'

2007 marks the 90th anniversary of the Third Battle of Ypres which resulted in the largest number of Scottish, British, and Commonwealth casualties in the First World War.

The monument will be unveiled during the Scottish memorial weekend on 25 and 26 August. It has attracted widespread support from institutions and individuals across Scotland and has been the subject of several motions in the Scottish Parliament.

The lecture will take place in the Sir Charles Wilson Building, University of Glasgow at 5.15pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Kate Richardson (K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact Kate Richardson at the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 27 February 2007