He would like to appeal to all parents and teachers in the town to impress on the children the sacredness of that memorial; that it was sacred to the memory of 147 of the bravest of the manhood of the town, many of them on the very threshold of manhood, many of them known to them from childhood, others who left wives and children and laid down their lives for them. God help those who remained to try and live worthy of that great sacrifice. While it was impossible that sacrifice could ever fade from their memories, he felt sure it would be some solace to be bereaved that such worthy and serviceable memorials and been placed in the town.

In conclusion, the Chairman said he thought those present would agree with him, when the monument was unveiled, that the committee were fortunate in their choice of a sculptor, and that the work need not fear comparison with the most magnificent war memorials of other places. (Applause.)

Scriptural lessons were read by the Rev. W.F. Clarke, and the Rev. A.J. Elgar (in the absence of the rector, Rev Andrew  Boyd, M.A.), and the Revs. John Lyle Donaghy and D.H. Hanson, B.A., C.B.E., led in prayer. Then the chairman called on Colonel McCalmont to unveil the towns memorial to its heroic dead, adding the remarks that the town could have found no more suitable man to perform that ceremony, and everyone present bade him a hardly welcome.

COLONEL McCALMONT

said he did not think that was the right moment for him to say anything personal other than to tell them how greatly he appreciated the compliment paid to him by placing him in that position of responsibility and honour that day. After the beautiful music they had heard, and the Scripture and prayers so eloquently read, it was very difficult for him to speak, but perhaps it was as well on such an occasion that a word should be said from the point of view not only of the layman, but also of the comrades of those whom that beautiful monument would represent. He could only say to those who that day mourned their loved ones that no one more appreciated what they did than those who were with them when they died, whether it was on land or whether it was, as in the case of many from that great town, at sea. He thought that those who saw those brave men die realised better than most of those present that they died that others should live, that they died that their kin might live in a free country, and not in what their foes would have made an uncivilised country. From the soldier’s point of view no one was more grateful to them than those who also fought, and he was happy to see that the word grateful was recorded in the inscription on that monument. In addition to being grateful they were proud, and he thought those who mourned would agree with him that they had every right to be proud as well as grateful. There was a especial reason for their pride. Across the Channel very handsome memorials (but none more handsome than theirs) were springing up everywhere, but there was one great difference in England, Scotland, and Wales. There the memorial recorded the names of many who went, not because they wanted to go, but because they could not help themselves going. That day he was going to unveil a monument to brave men who of their own freewill gave themselves to fight for their King and country and subsequently gave their lives. He had endeavoured to put before them two aspects of their regard, first their gratitude and secondly their pride in their fallen comrades. It was now his very honourable and very responsible duty on their behalf to unveiled that magnificent memorial in the hope and belief that for many generations it would tell something of the part the men of Larne had played in the Great War.

The monument was then unveiled by Colonel McCalmont, and with the ex-Servicemen forming the cordon standing to attention, Major George Thomson, D.S.O, solemnly and distinctly read out the hundred and forty-seven names inscribed thereon. In the absence of the Rev James Kennedy (who had been present but was unable to stand the exposure to the weather), the memorial was then dedicated by the Rev. D.H. Hanson. Amid tense silence the buglers of the 1^st Norfolks sounded the “Last Post,” followed by the “Reveille” and, after a pause, all joined in the singing of the paraphrase “How bright these glorious spirits shine.”

In his capacity as chairman of the Memorials Committee, Mr. McMeekin then asked the chairman of the Urban District Council (Dr. William Shaw) to accept the monument, which they hoped would be a treasured possession so long as the town should last, and in doing so he felt certain that not only the present Urban Council, but all those who might follow them, would look upon the preservation of that memorial as one of their most sacred trusts. (Hear, hear.)

Dr. Shaw replied that it was to him a melancholy pleasure to accept, on behalf of the townspeople, the custody of that memorial-which was a tribute of undying affection for those who so nobly fought and so gloriously died. Larne people were particularly proud of their kith and kin, who maintained the highest traditions of Royal Ulster in the Great War, and he felt sure the Urban District Council would regard that important trust as a most sacred one, and that they would faithfully preserve it. (Hear, hear.)

VOTES OF THANKS.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr. James McQuillan, M.A., moved a very cordially vote of thanks to Colonel McCalmont, and Mr. Pomeroy. He said that they had just witnessed the unveiling of that memorial erected in honour of the men of the town who gave up their lives for their country in the Great War, and if, as they believed, the dead were not unconscious of the ties of love and fellowship that were so dear to the living, then they might feel certain that those heroic souls were not far removed from them at that moment, and that they had joined in the old comradeship with those who shared the same dangers, but who had been spared to return to their homes and take part in that solemn ceremony. In was, therefore in the sublime presence of the heroic living and the heroic dead that the memorial had been unveiled, and though Colonel McCalmont would be the last man to feel that he deserved their thanks yet they were conscious that his presence with them on that occasion was but a fitting completion of the services he had rendered during raising and training of the battalion to which belonged most of the men whose loyally and devotion they were commemorating. They all felt that no one more suitable than Colonel McCalmont could have been chosen to pay that last tribute to their noble dead. (Hear, hear.) He was back with them once again amongst his own men, and as he unveiled the memorial he must have been deeply touched at the thought of the gallant men whom he knew so well, but whose faces he would see no more on earth. But while thanking Colonel McCalmont they must not forget the great artist to whose skill and loving care they owed that memorial. It was only right and proper that the people of Larne should give of their best in everlasting remembrance of those who had given up all for them, and in asking Mr. Pomeroy to carry out the task they felt that the work would be well done. The stately memorial before them showed that their confidence was not misplaced.

Mr. James Sutherland seconded the motion, remarking that Colonel McCalmont was no stranger, but one of their own, whom they loved and esteemed, as they held his father in the highest esteem, whilst as for his mother no words of his (the speaker’s) could express the place she held in their affections. (Applause.) Colonel McCalmont was a worthy son of worthy parents, and the committee were very happy in their choice. They owed a debt of gratitude to him for accepting their invitation. As for Mr Pomeroy’s beautiful work, they would all look upon it with pride, and would value his artistry for its intrinsic worth as well as for what it represented to them. (Hear, hear.)

The vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation, and suitably conveyed by the chairman.

Colonel McCalmont thanked the speakers for the very kind words they had used about him and his parents. He had to apologise for the absence of his mother, who had determined to come to that ceremony, and was only prevented by the doctor forbidding her to leave her bed. So far as he was concerned, he esteemed it a very great honour to have been selected to unveil that beautiful memorial. Many more distinguished soldiers could have been asked, and therefore he regarded the invitation as a very high honour. Reference had been made to the battalion he had raised of his fellow countrymen, and he hoped they would believe him when he said (for he had not always been believed on the subject) that of all the commands he had held, he had not been so proud of one as he was of the command of the 12^th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. (Applause.) He would like to add his word of congratulation and thanks to Mr. Pomeroy for his beautiful work. The monument was worthy of the town of Larne, and, in his opinion, anything that was worthily of Larne had to be a very fine thing indeed. (Applause.)

Mr Pomeroy said he was deeply grateful for their vote of thanks, brought his thanks were really do to them for allowing him the privilege of raising that monument to their illustrious dead. He was very proud to be associated even in a small way with the great town of Larne and its heroic soldiers. (Applause.)

The Benediction was then pronounced by the Rev David Samson, and the singing of the National Anthem brought an historic and impressive service to an end.

TRIBUTES OF LOVE.

Following the service bereaved relatives and representatives of various organisations, deposited at the foot of the Cenotaph beautiful floral tributes of love and remembrance. The number of tributes from those who mourn love ones was unusually large, and many bore pathos-laden messages speaking of never dieing love. In addition there were many tributes of  a semi-public nature, including those from the following:- Larne War Memorials Committee, Larne Urban District Council, Larne Branch of the British Legion, Larne Red Cross Workers, Directors of the British Aluminium Co., Ltd., Staff of the British Aluminium Co., Ltd., Workers of the British Aluminium Co., Ltd.,  Employees of Inver Factory, Ltd., Larne Old Presbyterian Church, Larne First Presbyterian Church, xxxxdenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne Methodist Church, Larne Congregational Church, Larne Grammar School, Larne Intermediate School, Oriel School, Larne No. 1 National School, Larne No. 2 National School and Inver National School, Olderfleet National School, Larne Parochial Sabbath and Day Schools, Larne Old Grammarians’ Association, Larne Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Employees of Larne Weaving Co., Ltd., Employees of Larne Foundry Ltd., Employees of Larne Harbour, Ltd., Latharna Masonic Lodge, No. 375, Larne Rugby Football Club, Olderfleet Swifts Football Club, Employees Sun Laundry, Ltd., Larne Branch of the East Antrim Unionist Association, Larne Unionist Club, Larne Branch of the East Antrim Women’s Unionist Association, and Larne Men’s Memorial Club. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEMORIAL.

As mentioned above, the monument is erected at the junction of Main Street with the Glenarm, Curran, and Circular Roads. It is of a simple, dignified character, and consists of a Portland stone cenotaph, 16feet high, with space on which the names is of the 147 men of Larne who gave their lives in the Great War are inscribed, a cornice carved of lion heads and wreaths, and a pedestal of stone with a life-sized group of a soldier and sailor in bronze. An inscription on the front panel below the bronze group reads as follows: –    

“In grateful memory of the men from Larne who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. Their name liveth for evermore.”

LIST OF NAMES

of sailors and soldiers who were natives, lived in, or left from Larne Urban District, inscribed on the War Memorial:-

Surname followed by first name. Individual names separated by semi-colon (;).