Description

Circa 1861. Memorial to Dr Richard Smith and his son Richard Baird Smith. Sandstone ashlar. Tall ornately carved Celtic cross, inset with bronze roundels with bas relief profiles, rising from double sarcophagi. Set on large square plinth with carved frieze, shields with Masonic symbols and rope-mould edging. Stepped paved surround with dwarf boundary wall and railings.

Statement of Interest

The Baird Smith Memorial is a large and imposing monument, set apart by the quality and quantity of its carved details. Its wealth of decorative carving and bronze plaques gives it a grand appearance. It commemorates two important local figures. Dr Richard Smith was a surgeon in the Royal Navy and moved to Lasswade in 1818 to take up private practice. He was highly respected in the area and was known for his dedication to his patients. His eldest son Richard Baird Smith, was born in 1818 and raised in Lasswade. He trained at the East Indian Company's Miltary College and was commissioned into the Madras Engineers. Appointed Chief Engineer of Delhi in 1857 Baird Smith was instrumental in the recapture of that city, which marked the beginning of the end of the Indian Mutiny. A consequence of this was the introduction of direct rule of India by the British crown. Baird Smith was honoured for his part in suppressing the mutiny. The memorial was 'ERECTED BY THE COUNTRYMEN AND FRIENDS OF FATHER AND SON, BOTH HERE IN SCOTLAND AND IN INDIA'.

The memorial was refurbished in 2004-5.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77779254

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)