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This obelisk stands near what was the original northern boundary of the cemetery; it was erected by Dr B M Richard (surgeon) in memory of his son Dr John Glen Richard.

Benjamin Maule Richard was born on the 3rd of June 1807 at the farmstead of Coilsholm (NS4525) near Tarbolton in Ayrshire. He practised for a year or two there after qualifying at Glasgow University. In what has been called "the cholera year", 1832, he came to reside at Dumbarton, where his services were greatly appreciated. He died on the 13th of June, 1874, aged 67.

His wife was Janet Brown Glen (died 20th June 1874, aged 53), the daughter of John Glen. John Glen was a tanner in Dumbarton; he was also one of the town's early historians: John Glen, "History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton from the Earliest Period till the Present Time" (1847).

Dr B M Richard and his wife Janet had three sons, one of whom was also called B M Richard; it is with reference to this son that an inscription on the side of the memorial refers to "B M Richard jnr". The other two sons were James Bennett Richard, and the John Glen Richard who was mentioned at the start of this item.