French PoWs Memorial at Valleyfield

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 26 Mar 2011

"The uniform quiet of a country parish was, in the case of Penicuik, interrupted about the year 1810, by its extensive paper manufactories being turned by Government into depôts for prisoners of war, and the peaceful cottages attached to them into barracks for the military necessarily required. The paper-mills of Valleyfield were on that occasion fitted up for the reception of 6000 prisoners, whilst those of Eskmills, then used as a cotton manufactory, accommodated 1500 British soldiers. This occurrence could not fail to produce results very unfavourable to the social and religious well-being of the parishioners. The peaceful artisan gave place to the soldier; and the din of a camp, with its attendant irregularities, prevailed where formerly nothing had interrupted the orderly occupations and Sabbath solemnities of a Scottish village. This circumstance gave, however, unusual life and activity to the place, and enriched some of its inhabitants; but it may be doubted, if it proved in any way advantageous to their moral habits and religious feelings; nor perhaps, have the unfavourable effects then produced on these latter, even now quite disappeared. On the close of the war, however, in the year 1814, the mills happily returned to their former proprietors and purposes,—an event which was hailed by the inhabitants with a general illumination, and other demonstrations of their heartfelt joy. The only memory which now remains of the residence of so many warlike strangers, is a very chaste and appropriate monument erected by the proprietor of Valleyfield mill, over the remains of upwards of 300 prisoners of war, who were interred in a beautiful spot amidst his grounds. The design was furnished by Hamilton, and bears, after recording the purpose for which it was erected, the following line from the elegant but little known Sanazarius suggested by Sir Walter Scott: 'Grata quies patriæ, sed, et omnis terra sepulchrum.' Underneath is this simple addition, 'Certain inhabitants of this parish, desiring to remember that all men are brethren, caused this monument to be erected.' " -- New Statistical Account, 1845 Image

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