Saturday 31st May 1913; was one of the most important days ever experienced in the annals of Galashiels, when two important events in its history took place.   The first of these was the unveiling of the memorial erected to Robert Burns, Scotland's National Bard, at the foot of Lawyer's Brae, in commemoration of his having written the song of "Braw, Braw Lads 0' Gala Water."    The other was the opening of the fine new square whereon once stood the old Corn Mill, by which one of the greatest improvements ever effected in the town has been completed.

The idea of a memorial to Burns originated with the Cycle Parade Committee, who, in 1907, by means of the proceeds of one of their parades, erected two ornamental pillars at the foot of Roundtree Bridge wherewith to complete the improvement carried out by the widening of Bank Street.   For three years following this, proceeds of the parades were set aside to form a nucleus of a fund wherewith to erect the memorial, this fund at the end of the third year amounting to something like £120.   While not a large sum, the Committee felt justified in proceeding with their scheme, but as the cycle parades were losing some of their popularity and financial support they had to consider other means whereby to raise the where withal to erect a memorial worthy of the poet.

A sub-committee was therefore appointed to collect further funds, and so generous was the response made to their appeal by a number of local gentlemen, that they have been able to carry out the work as they originally intended.   In due course designs were advertised for and after much careful consideration, that of Mr F. Doyle Jones of Chelsea, was selected out of forty received by the committee, consisting of a bronze bust of the poet on a granite pedestal and base.   The site chosen for the memorial was at the foot of Lawyer's Brae, at the junction of that street with Albert Place.   The ground was given free by Mr Scott of Gala and the Town Council gave their consent to the erection of the memorial on the site.   The granite work was carried out by Mr G. Sutherland, sculptor, and the way in which the whole of the memorial has been executed reflects the greatest credit on all who have had to do with it.   It bears the simple inscription of "Burns" below the bust, and "Braw, Braw Lads" on the base.

As the new square in the immediate vicinity was completed about the same time, it was wisely resolved to have both ceremonies on the same day, the arrangements being made jointly by the Burns Memorial Committee and the Town Council. A large platform was erected in front of the Public Library and to this cords were attached stretching on the one side to the Burns Memorial which was covered with the Scottish flag, and on the other the fountain in the new square, and by means of these, the memorial was unveiled and the water was turned on.   The platform party included members of the Town Council and the Memorial Committee and others, while a large enclosed space in front was reserved for representatives of other public bodies, friendly societies, Burns Club and others.   The local Territorial's, who were present under their Bandmaster Macdonald, lined the enclosure, being under the command of Major Herbertson.   The other officers present being Captain Sanderson, Lieutenant Dun, and Surgeon Major Doig.   Two of the Territorial's were placed at the side of the memorial as guard of honour.

A children's choir, trained for the occasion by Mr Joseph Townley, occupied a site at the side platform.   These, headed by the Ex-Soldiers' Pipe Band under Pipe Major Bertram, marched to the site from Roxburgh Street School.   The Town's Band, under Mr George Hogg, also took part in the proceedings and for half an hour prior to the start, played alternate selections with the Ex-Soldiers' Pipe Band.    By the time the platform party arrived the enclosure in front was crowded and a dense crowd numbering several thousands, occupied all the space round about, while all the windows overlooking the scene and every other available point of vantage were filled with eager onlookers.   A feature of the scene was the large number of cameras which were focussed on it.   The proceedings, which lasted less than an hour and a half, started fairly well up to time, and the weather throughout was of the most favourable description.