Hang on Harry...We're Getting There!
Sir Harry Lauder Memorial Fund

Sir Harry Lauder died 50 years ago, in February 1950, and Portobello Community Council has set up a Committee to raise funds to establish a memorial to honour Scotland's "first knight of the music hall" who was born on August 4, 1870, in Bridge Street just off Portobello High Street.

Lauder was a theatrical phenomenon, the first truly international superstar, in an age before performers could count on the assistance of jet airliners, satellite communications and electronic wizardry to bring them to the notice of global audiences. His long career took him from the village halls of Lanarkshire, where he had been a coal miner, to the top theatres in London, New York and other great cities all over the world. He made over 30 sell-out tours of North America and numerous visits to Australia and New Zealand covering hundreds of thousands of miles by train and steamship.

Harry Lauder received his knighthood in 1919 not for services to entertainment but for his tireless efforts during World War One. He went to France to entertain the troops and insisted that he would not just do large concerts in bases behind the lines but go as close to the front as possible to boost the morale of those "in the thick of it." In a letter, he wrote that after the war he never wanted to see a disabled ex-serviceman having to beg on the streets to make a living and set up the "Harry Lauder Million Pound Fund" to raise money for the welfare of those injured by the war. He got the money, helped by him undertaking a gruelling tour of America and Canada in 1917and 1918.

We are aware that we are in for a fairly long haul and have a great deal ofwork to do to raise the money required for a fitting memorial to Sir Harry.It has not been decided what form the memorial will take, as this isdependent on the amount raised, but we want something visible coupled with the establishment of a trust that could aid young musicians. How much we gather in will determine the balance between the two elements.

The Memorial Fund Committee has already begun work. A CD of 12 of his classic songs is available now at the excellent price of £10.00, which includes postage and packing. A commemorative mug bearing one of Lauder's self-caricatures is on sale now at the price of £12.00, includes postage and packing. Sir Harry Lauder does not just belong to Portobello or even Scotland but his appeal was, and is, worldwide and at this moment enthusiasts in America are working to raise funds for the memorial. Check out the website www.sirharrylauder.com, based in Village Mills, Texas, to see this in action.

Sir Harry Lauder does not just belong to Portobello or even Scotland but his appeal was, and is, worldwide and at this moment enthusiasts in the United States and Canada are working to raise funds for the memorial.

Check out the website www.sirharrylauder.com, based in Village Mills, Texas, to see this in action.

Get information and order mugs from:
Patricia Ralph
13 Duddingston Avenue
Edinburgh
EH15 1SJ.
Tel. No. 0131 669 7578.
E-Mail Trish Ralph at the Sir Harry Lauder Memorial Fund
• Order CDs from: Archie Foley
  21 Joppa Road
  Edinburgh
  EH15 2HA.
  E-mail: Archie Foley
• Cheques etc. should be in sterling if possible and made out in favour of the Account Name shown below and not to any individual.

• Donations in sterling can be made to Bank of Scotland
  153 Portobello High Street
  Edinburgh
  EH15 1AG.

  Branch Sort Code: 80:18:31.
  Acct. Name: PCC Sir Harry Lauder Memorial Fund.
  Account No: 00376481.

  Cheques not in sterling should be sent to Patricia Ralph at the address above.

• US donations $10.00 or more (less than an evening at the movies or dinner out) can be made by money order or cashier's check, to:

  Sir Harry Lauder Memorial Fund
  c/o Eleanor G. Dippel
  P.O. Box 746
  Village Mills
  Texas 77663
  USA