CLOGH PARISH CHURCH, Co. Fermanagh.
CLOGH PARISH CHURCH, Dedication and Unveiling Service, July 1924.
TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN IN THE GREAT WAR.
On Sunday afternoon last [July 6, 1924] in Clogh Parish Church, which is situated almost on the border close to the east of Rosslea, a memorial tablet to the memory of Samuel Nixon and William Gordon was unveiled. [This relates to a local incident in 1921, and is NOT connected with the Great War.]
Two other tablets to the gallant men who fell and served in the Great War were also unveiled. The church was crowded and many were unable to gain admission. A good number attended from the Smithborough district of Co Monaghan. The service was most impressive. Those present were inured to hardship; they had come through great trials and great earnestness was manifest. At each memorial stood two men of the Special Constabulary with arms reversed, the tablets been covered with the Union Jack. The serviced commenced with the playing of the opening passage of Chopin’s funeral march, which was followed by the singing of the hymn ‘When our heads are bowed in woe.’
Prayers were said by the rector Rev. S. A. Gibson, and the special lesson from Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians was read by the Rev. Mr. Robinson, rector of Drumsnatt. Rev. Mr. Egerton also took part in the service.
The War Tablet.
After the reading of the lesson, Dr. D’Arcy, who had served as a major in the R.A.M.C, unveiled the War Memorial Tablet. Did so, he said, as the representative of the ex-serviceman. That memorial was erected to perpetuate the memory of those men who went overseas, and either died of wounds or were killed in the Great War. He knew them for a great number of years very intimately, and he was therefore in a better position than any stranger to know the sacrifice they had made. They mourned for them. They died glorious deaths, and the lived in the hope that one day they would hear the great reveille.
A Great Record.
Dr. D’Arcy then unveiled the war memorial tablet, on which was inscribed-
1914-1918
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR.
Lieut. Chr. T.O. Clarke, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private Jas. Joseph Leary, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Lance-Corporal J. M’Adoo, London Territorials.
Lance-Corporal E. Wiggins, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Lance-Corporal J. Wadsworth, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Lieut. Ben Watson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
‘Peace Perfect Peace.’
A beautiful wreath was deposited at the memorial from the men of No. 25 Platoon, Rosslea, and also the R.U.C., stationed at Rosslea.
Proceeding then to the porch where there was another tablet erected to place upon record those men who had served, Dr. D’Arcy also unveiled this memorial which contained the following names: –
Private Robert Andrews, Royal Munster Fusiliers; Sergeant W. D. Cox, Machine Gun Corps; Major S. A. D’Arcy, R.A.M.C.; Sub-Lieutenant Thomas N. D’Arcy, Royal Navy; Sergeant D Emerson, Canadians; Private Robert Graydon, American Navy; Corporal W.V. Gordon, R.A.M.C.; Private John Holden, North Irish Horse; Private Jos Holden, North Irish Horse; Lance-Corporal W.O. Johnston, Canadians; Private D. Johnston, Royal Irish Fusiliers; Sergeant R. J. Leary, Scots Guards; Private Henry Magwood, 8th Hussars; Private James Nixon, Royal Engineers; Private Thomas D. Nixon, Black Watch; Private Sam Ritchie, North Irish Horse; Corporal David Ritchie, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; Sergeant Major J. J. Ritchie, Scots Guards; Lieutenant A. Y. Sloan Royal Garrison Artillery.
The Bishop of Clogher, Right Rev. J. M’Manaway, D.D., then dedicate the memorials.
The Bishop of Clogher preached. In the course of his address he said that they were met together on that occasion under circumstances that were remarkable. It had been quite a common thing since the Great War to assemble for the unveiling of tablets erected to the memory of the fallen. But at all events in his experience, he had never on any occasion seen three memorials unveiled and dedicated in any church on the one occasion.
The Bishop then spoke of the war and its trials and the lessons it taught, and referred to the Ulster Division, of which he said there were none braver, none better, none more willing and more unflinching or more ready.
The service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
The Impartial Reporter and Farmers’ Journal, July, 10, 1924
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