The FALLEN 1914 - 1916.

Bradshaw, G. H., Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Chisim, John H., H.M.S. Hawke;

Cooper, J. O’N., Leinsters;

Ferguson, N., Royal Engineers (Postal);

Green, S. J., H.M.S. Hawke;

Greer. J. Royal Engineers, (Postal)

Heal, W. R.,1st Dorsets;

Jamison, J., H.M.S. Cressy;

Lewis, S. J., Royal Irish Rifles;

Maccabe, R. M. 2nd Lieutenant, 8th London Post Office Rifles (Commanding Officer);

Mearns, A., Royal Irish Rifles;

M’Cready, W. C., Royal Irish Rifles;

M’Farlane, J. B., Royal Irish Rifles; 

Preece, S. C., H.M.S. Majestic;

Prenter, W., Royal Irish Rifles;

Quinn, R., South Lancs;

Ross, W. J., H.M.S. Hawke;

Skelly, S. J., 6th Dragoon Guards;

Trainor, J., H.M.S. Fauvette;

Willis, J. H., London Irish;

Wilson, A. P., H.M.S. Hawke.

BELFAST G.P.O. ROLL OF HONOUR. (1916).

Unveiled by Mr. Norway.

352 NAMES-21 FELL IN ACTION.

A beautifully illustrated role of honour to the men of the Belfast Post Office District who answered the clarion call of King and Country was formally unveiled on Thursday evening at the G.P.O., Royal Avenue, the ceremony being performed by Mr. Arthur H. Norway, secretary to the G.P.O., in Ireland, before an enthusiastic gathering of the staff.

The Roll, handsomely framed and tastefully executed, now hangs in the public offers, and carry silent but convincing evidence of the loyalty of the men of the local district. There are 352 names inscribed, and of these 21 have rendered the supreme sacrifice in the nation’s cause.

At the formal proceedings Belfast postmaster, Mr. H. G. Forsythe, presided, and warmly welcomed to Belfast Mr. Norway. He is said the ceremony of that evening was one of special interest to all present. They were honouring those colleagues (town and rural) who had joined the colours, and taking their stand in the far-flung battle line, all bent on doing their little bit towards securing a final and conclusive victory over the tyrant who had so long menaced Europe. The names on the Roll represented 33 per cent of the local staff, but if they eliminated those men who had debarred from serving on current of age or physical fitness, the percentage rose to 50. (Applause.) That was, he thought, a record of which to be proud, and gave the best possible answer to any suggestion of disloyalty that might be thrown at the Belfast district. (Applause.) He went on to describe how the Roll of Honour was raised, and said that the work been left in the hands of the local committee of the Post Office Relief Fund, of which Mr. Yarr was the energetic secretary. They would all agree that the finished work reflected the highest credit on all concerned. He had great pleasure in calling upon Mr. Norway to unveil the Roll of Honour. (Applause.)

SECRETARY TO THE G.P.O.

Mr. Norway, on rising, was greeted enthusiastically. He expressed the pleasure he felt at being present to perform on that very interesting ceremony, and in passing paid a warm complement to the Belfast staff for the efficient manner in which they had discharged their official duties during the recent insurrection, which had naturally caused considerable disorganisation in the service. The Belfast staff had done their duty ably, and he took that special opportunity of thanking them. (Applause.)

Proceedings, Mr. Norway said they certainly should feel very proud of the splendid record of their district, and it was a happy thought that promoting a permanent memorial to those men who had gone for their midst when the great call sounded. There were of course, many men who had answered the call as reservists, but the majority were men who had not chosen arms as a profession, but who nevertheless were ready and willing to leave the comforts of civil life behind and to go forth under the nation’s flag to give battle to a common enemy. These men who should honoured, and whose names should never be permitted to fade from memory. They were “men who had not failed the King,” and their colleagues should feel proud of. (Applause.)

Mr. Norway then drew aside the Union Jack which covered the Roll of Honour, the unveiling being greeted with enthusiastic cheering.

A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Norway for his kindness in attending for the ceremony was afterwards passed on the motion of Mr. Archer Smith (district manager of telephones), seconded by Dr. Walton Browne and supported by a number of officials representing the staff.

The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceeding to a close.

(The Roll of Honour was beautifully executed by Mr. Donald M’Pherson, 50 Upper Queen Street, Belfast.)

The following are the names of those who have fallen inscribed on the memorial-

Belfast Post Office Staff. November 11, 1925.

Wreath placed on City Hall Cenotaph.

Duties in connection with the public services prevented the members of the Belfast Post Office from participating in the ceremony at the City Hall yesterday morning. At the head office in Royal Avenue, Belfast, however a memorial wreath was unveiled by Mr. T. B. MacDowell, Postmaster-Surveyor, about 75 members of the staff being present. The wreath, which is a replica of the badge worn by postmen, was placed under the Roll of Honour Tablet in the Post Office. Mr. MacDowell said- “It is our honour and privilege, on behalf of the Post Office staff, to unveil this wreath in remembrance of our late colleagues who heroically gave their lives that we should be free. That we shall prove worthy of the sacrifice by being better citizens of the Empire, and that their glorious memory shall be an abiding example to us all, is my earnest prayer. They have shown us that a life given to duty is a life nobly spent. I can say no more than this, that since the dead have done so much it is incumbent on the living to so govern their lives and actions that when the last summons comes they can lay down their burdens with the knowledge that they, too, have done their best for the common good and happiness of our people.”

At night a parade, directed by Major F. Donnelly, M.C., of all the available employees took place, and a parade numbering about 250, headed by the Postal Band, marched to the City Hall, where in the presence of a large attendance the wreath was placed along with the other floral tributes already there. The wreath was placed in position by Mr. MacDowell and Mr. A. MacLean (district manager of the telephone service), after which the “Last Post” was sounded. The band played a funeral march, the sounding of “Reveille” concluded brief ceremony.

Belfast News-Letter, November 12, 1925.

The text on this page has been created mainly from newspaper archive content and/or images and may contain typographical errors. If you can supply additional information, photographs of War Memorials in the nine counties of Ulster, or wish to report errors, broken links, make comments, suggestions, requests, etc. please email
uwms@outlook.com
All contributions will be acknowledged.