LONDONDERRY CITY, Co. Londonderry, June, 1927.
Derry’s Tribute to Her Fallen Sons
Unveiling of the War Memorial.
The Maiden City’s Wonderful Record.
756 Dead and 4,000 Volunteers.
Day of Sorrow, Remembrance, and Pride.
Touching and Unforgettable Scenes.
Those who with fame eternal their own dear land endowed
Took on them as a mantle the shade of Death’s dark cloud;
Yet dying thus they died not, on whom is glory shed
By virtue which exalts them above all other dead.
Sir J. Rennell Rodd’s translation of Simonides’ epitaph on the Plateau at Marathon.
Derry’s memorial to her heroic sons was unveiled on Thursday amid unforgettable scenes. As the 756 names of the fallen appearing on the memorial medallions came from every rank and creed, so in the vast assembly thronging the Diamond and its four approaches every class and creed was represented, and hearts were full and eyes were dimmed as thoughts of the dear ones who gave their lives for their country came crowding back into the mind. Not that these loved ones are ever forgotten. The present generation requires no memorial of stone and bronze to remind them of those who from this city went forth at call of King and country to battle and to die for freedom, righteousness, and liberty, a call which will ever make a special appeal to the sons of Derry, which in its great and inspiring past has done so much for that cause. Their memorial is in the hearts of the people, who loved them, and whom they loved, and who will honour and revere their memory in the silences of the heart while life lasts. But such an occasion as Thursday brings many touching little incidents of the Great War back vividly to the memory. How many mothers as they saw the Dean of Derry, in his uniform of chaplain to the 36th Ulster Division, recalled treasured letters received from their sons recording the fact that the Dean had given them their last Communion before they went over the top into the Great Beyond, some, indeed, never to be heard of or seen again.
And so it was with pride and sorrow the citizens of Derry assembled to take their part in the ceremony of the unveiling of a memorial worthy of the noble dead, a memorial which will ever be a reminder to future generations that the Derry men of 1914-1918 were true to the Maiden City’s glorious history, whose pages they have by their courage, devotion, sacrifice, and valour adorned and enriched. The scenes were touching and unforgettable. Long before the unveiling hour crowds began to assemble, until eventually the Diamond was packed with people and so great was the throng that it stretched well into Shipquay, Ferryquay, Bishop, and Butcher Streets. Among them were numbered many bereaved fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children (some wearing the medals of their dead ones), fellow-officers and men, representatives of the Government, the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the nursing services, and public bodies, all united in paying homage to the gallant dead, and bringing with them many floral tributes of remarkable beauty and choice and artistic design, with a fragrance as sweet and fresh as that in which those on whose memorial they were laid is held.
The Memorial
The memorial itself is one which has evoked universal admiration, and has been described as one of the most striking of the kind in the Kingdom. It was designed and executed by Mr Vernon March, of Farnborough, Kent, whose design for the Canadian War Memorial was the chosen out of 115 submitted by the leading artists and craftsmen of the world. Costing £5,000, it stands 38 feet 6 inches high, the steps and columns being of smooth-finished Portland stone, and the figures surmounting the columns of bronze.
The winged figure on the central column, which towers above the other two, is Victory, holding in her outstretched right hand a laurel wreath, as if eagerly anxious to crown Derry’s victorious sons with freedom’s bays. In her left hand is an unsheathed sword, but it is withdrawn from battle – the cause of truth and justice having been fully vindicated – and it is lowered, pointing backwards and downwards. The right foot is crushing beneath it a serpent, which has unsuccessfully endeavoured to hold the world in thrall.
The two figures on the smaller columns are of heroic size. One is of a barefooted sailor making final preparations just as his ship is going into action. The other is of an infantryman in action on the battlefield, with rifle and bayonet, attacking an entrenched enemy.
The three figures give a marvellously vivid picture of War and Victory – a wonderfully appropriate memorial to men who have fought fearlessly and whose cause emerged victoriously.
At each of the four corners of the base of the central column are large medallions of bronze, bearing the names of the 756 fallen. These have been cast as an integral part of the panels, so that the permanency of each letter is ensured, and of them it may, in the words of Tennyson, be said –
“No sound is breathed so potent to coerce,
And to conciliate, as their names who dare
For that sweet Motherland which gave them birth
Nobly to do, nobly to die. Their names,
Graven on memorial columns, are a song
Heard in the Future.”
The records and deeds of the fallen are given in four bound volumes, each volume corresponding to the four bronze tablets, and have been deposited in the Guildhall, in the custody of the Corporation.
A Memorable Ceremony
The memorable unveiling ceremony was performed by Major-General F F Ready, CB, CSL, CMG, DSO, General Officer Commanding the Northern Ireland District, the Chair being occupied by Lady Anderson, CBE. It was a matter for universal regret that the Right Hon. Sir Robert Anderson, PC, DL, MP, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, was unable to be present. It was Sir Robert, in conjunction with Lady Anderson, who was responsible for raising the funds for the memorial, and, although the citizens responded whole-heartedly and generously to their appeal, a vast amount of work devolved upon the shoulders of both Sir Robert and Lady Anderson. Sir Robert’s health, however, did not, unfortunately, permit him to be present. There could not, however, have been a better or more appropriate substitute than Lady Anderson, who did so much for Derry’s soldiers and sailors during the war.
The guard of honour was furnished by the British Legion, who were under the command of Colonel W A Bowen, DSO, with Captain JF Desmond, JP, as adjutant. The colours were in charge of Mr R A Joliffe. They were stationed at the head of Shipquay Street. The band of the 1st Battalion the Sherwood Foresters, under Bandmaster Smyth, took up their positions on the Bishop Street side of the Diamond, along with a massed choir of 400 mixed voices, who led the singing, under the conductorship of Mr J T Frankland, the Derry Cathedral organist.
The bereaved relatives had positions of honour on the Butcher Street side of the Gardens, and representatives of disbanded regiments and ex-Service Associations on the Ferryquay Street side.
The members of the Corporation assembled in the Council Chamber at noon, and, wearing their robes, escorted Major-General Ready to the Diamond. The procession was headed by the Sergeants-at-Arms and the Mace-Bearer (Mr D S Irvine, OBE, JP) and the Sword-Bearer (Mr W Hamilton). Then came the members of the Corporation, followed by Major-General Ready, with the City High Sheriff (Major James Colhoun, MC) on his right and the Mayor (Senator James Hamilton, JP) on his left, Lady Anderson being accompanied by Lieutenant A V Stopford-Sackville, ADC to Major-General Ready. On his arrival at the Diamond Major-General Ready inspected the guard of honour.
The Northern Government were represented by the Right Hon. J M Andrews, DL, MP, Minister of Labour; Viscount Charlemont, Minister of Education; and Right Hon. J M Barbour, DL, Minister of Commerce. The company present also included Alderman M S Moore, HML, County High Sheriff, and Senator J C Glendinning. The Hon. the Irish Society were represented by the Deputy-Governor, Mr Cecil D King-Farlow, MA, Captain L C Landringan, and Captain W A Lane, MC; the Royal Navy by Lieutenant-Commander C M Stack, HMS Caroline; the Royal Air Force by Wing-Commander C Wright, Belfast; the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve by Miss L V Gawley, matron, Londonderry City and County Infirmary. Others in attendance were – Lieut-Colonel K C Weldon, DSO; Lieut-Colonel Dumbell, DSO, Sherwood Foresters; Lieut-Colonel J K McClintock, CBE, DL; Major C A Alexander, MC; Major H A Allen, DSO, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Irish Fusiliers Depot, Omagh; Lieut-Colonel Knox, DSO, 36th Ulster Division; Lieut-Colonel W D Conran, DSO, Royal Engineers; Mr Robert H Smyth (chairman) and other members of the Londonderry Harbour Board, as well as representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies.
Amongst the clergy present were the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe (Right Rev. Dr Peacocke), the Moderator of the General Assembly (Right Rev. Dr James Thompson, Londonderry), the Dean of Derry (Very Rev. R G S King), who wore his uniform as a chaplain to the forces; Rev. Dr McGranahan, Rev J R W Roddie, Rev. Leslie Rankin, Rev. J Knox Dickey, and Ensign Grottick, of the Salvation Army.
Apologies were received from the Prime Minister (Viscount Craigavon), Right Hon. H M Pollock (Minister of Finance), Right Hon. Mr Archdale (Minister of Agriculture), Right Hon. Sir Dawson Bates, OBE, Minister for Home Affairs; the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, Admiral Francis S Miller, Captain Sholto Douglas, RN, Governor of the Leeke, MP, his Honour Judge R E Osborne, KC, Recorder of Londonderry; Lieut-Colonel W K Tillie, DL, DSO, and Mr Robert Watson, JP (member of the War Memorial Committee).
Admiral Miller, in a letter to Mr Thompson, hon. secretary of the War Memorial Committee, regretting that he was unable to be present, said:-
“May I ask you to convey to the chairman and members of the War Memorial Committee my sincere and grateful thanks for the kindly thoughts which prompted their invitation to me to be present at the unveiling ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, 23rd June? It is with profound regret that my engagements prevent me from accepting the same. Remembering the period 1917-19, when I had the privilege of enjoying the friendship of so many good friends in Derry and being associated with them in the many activities of the city, and, above all, their kindness to the men of the sea of all ranks and ratings, whether hale and hearty or suffering from the action of the enemy, together with their support to the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, it is a very great disappointment to me that I cannot be present and share with them in paying tribute to the memory of their honoured dead and those who served in the Great War. If you can in any way intimate my regrets I shall feel grateful, for I should not like friends to think that I have forgotten them. My thoughts and prayers will be of and for you all on the 23rd, and so will be those of my wife.
“I am fascinated with the memorial itself; it is so full of life and energy.”
The deeply impressive ceremony began with the singing of Kipling’s familiar recessional hymn, “God of our fathers.”
Lady Anderson’s Speech
Lady Anderson, in calling upon Major-General Ready to unveil the memorial, said – Mr Mayor and fellow-citizens of this ancient city of Derry, the members of the War Memorial Committee have done me a signal honour in asking me to preside here today in the unavoidable absence through illness of my husband, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee. I speak from a very full heart when I remember how he had looked forward to, and worked for, this day and is not able to be present, after all, at this memorable ceremony in the city he so greatly loves.
During the long and strenuous years of the war the men and women of Derry, as in her heroic past, played their part nobly and heroically, and when the call came for service they rushed to the ranks of the fighters and workers on sea and land with glowing enthusiasm and with hands and hearts ready for work and sacrifice. They lived, they served, they died gloriously.
The record for the city of over 4,000 volunteers is something of which we, and posterity may be justly proud, and the 756 names of our honoured dead inscribed on this our memorial will show that these brave and noble ones came from all creeds and classes, so that every citizen can join with us today when we proudly commemorate their glorious deeds.
In the name of the War Memorial Committee and the citizens of Derry, I ask the General Officer Commanding his Majesty’s forces in Northern Ireland, Major General Ready, CB, CSI, CMG, DSO, the distinguished soldier who has so kindly come here to join in this commemoration service, to unveil and dedicate this our city’s memorial to her gallant sons.
The Unveiling and Dedication
Major-General Ready, before unveiling the memorial, said –
I feel very deeply the great honour which has been paid to me in asking me to come here today to unveil this memorial. I should be proud to do so in any city, but how much more so in Derry whose history is an example to the whole Empire for its loyalty and devotion to the Crown.
Its citizens have ever been willing to show that no sacrifice is too great for them to make in order to uphold the glorious traditions of which you are so justly proud.
It is not, therefore, surprising that when the call was made in 1914 some 4,000 men connected with this city enrolled themselves to fight for their King and country. This beautiful memorial, on which are inscribed 756 names, is an everlasting tribute paid to their memory by their fellow-citizens.
On an occasion such as this we are stirred by two great emotions. We are moved to a great feeling of pride in that the sons of Derry have shown how they were prepared to sacrifice their all in order to maintain this glorious heritage of devotion to the Crown handed down to them by their fathers, and we are moved to a great feeling of sorrow knowing full well the grief and suffering which the loss of these brave men has caused, and, indeed, is still causing, to sorrowing friends and resolutions. But, besides recording these feelings of pride and sorrow, this memorial, so skilfully designed and executed and so beautifully situated, fulfils still another object. It stands for all time to remind those that come hereafter that should ever a just cause again arise the men of this city will come forward as fearlessly as they have done in the past to add another page to the splendid history of this great city.
Major-General Ready then unveiled and dedicated the memorial, and in doing so said – I now have the honour to unveil this memorial and to dedicate it to the glory of God and to the immortal memory of those whose names are inscribed thereon.
The memorial guard reversed arms, standing with bowed heads, their hands resting on the butts of their rifles as the roll of the drums signified the commencement of the one minute’s silence.
A great hush fell upon the vast assembly as they stood, with bowed heads, paying silent homage to their fellow-citizens who had made the supreme sacrifice.
Another roll of drums signalised the termination of the moment’s silence, and then the choir, accompanied by the band, sang that wonderfully beautiful hymn, “O Valiant Hearts,” written in commemoration of those who fought and have passed “into the light that never more shall fade.”
Then the buglers of the 1st Battalion the Sherwood Foresters sounded forth the defiant music of “The Last Post”:-
“Blow, ye bugles of England, blow,
Though you break the heart of her beaten foe.”
When the last notes had died away the band broke into a lament, to the music of “The Londonderry Air.”
All this time the four soldiers of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who formed the memorial guard, remained standing, one at each corner of the steps, with their heads bowed and hands resting on their arms reversed, but as the buglers broke forth into “The Reveille” they fixed bayonets and presented arms.
Handing over custody of the Memorial
In handing over the custody of the War Memorial to the Mayor on behalf of the citizens, Lady Anderson said:-
Mr Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the city of Derry, on behalf of the War Memorial Committee, I now hand over to your custody, as representing the citizens, this beautiful War Memorial for safe and reverent care and keeping, praying that, to every citizen, and to posterity, it may ever be an incentive to courage, loyalty and devotion, and that it may show through the long years to come that in the Great War Derry’s sons and daughters were true to her glorious history and willing to lay themselves on the altar of sacrifice in defence of their country, justice and liberty.
In accepting the custody of the memorial, the Mayor, said:-
Lady Anderson, Major-General Ready, and fellow-citizens, in the first place I desire to voice what I am sure is the mind of every citizen today when I say how much we regret the absence of Sir Robert Anderson, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, more particularly on account of the cause, and we trust he may soon be restored to full health and vigour. We all know the zeal and energy he displayed in making this memorial the success it is, and how he looked forward to participating in today’s ceremony; also I am sure I express the mind of all present when I say that no more fitting substitute could have been secured to preside at this day’s function than Lady Anderson.
It is my duty and privilege, as Mayor of our ancient and historic city, on behalf of the Corporation and citizens, to accept and take over the future care and guardianship of this beautiful memorial, a tribute to the dead and an inspiration for the future. You may rest assured that the Corporation of today, and of future generations, will jealously guard the trust this day committed to them.
We are today adding another link to the chain recording the glorious traditions of the past of our city, and when I remind you that over 4,000 of our youth and manhood answered the call and volunteered to defend our Empire and ourselves from the attack of a tyrannical autocrat you will surely agree with me that those sons proved themselves worthy of their sires. It is only fitting that we should ever remember the 756 heroes of this city who gave up their lives “that we might live.”
On the base of the central column, in large black lettering, is the following inscription:
“In memory of our honoured dead and those who served, 1914-1918.”
The records and deeds of the fallen are given in four bound volumes, each volume corresponding to the four bronze tablets, and have been deposited in the Guildhall, in the custody of the Corporation.
A Memorable Ceremony
The memorable unveiling ceremony was performed by Major-General F F Ready, CB, CSL, CMG, DSO, General Officer Commanding the Northern Ireland District, the Chair being occupied by Lady Anderson, CBE. It was a matter for universal regret that the Right Hon. Sir Robert Anderson, PC, DL, MP, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, was unable to be present. It was Sir Robert, in conjunction with Lady Anderson, who was responsible for raising the funds for the memorial, and, although the citizens responded whole-heartedly and generously to their appeal, a vast amount of work devolved upon the shoulders of both Sir Robert and Lady Anderson. Sir Robert’s health, however, did not, unfortunately, permit him to be present. There could not, however, have been a better or more appropriate substitute than Lady Anderson, who did so much for Derry’s soldiers and sailors during the war.
The guard of honour was furnished by the British Legion, who were under the command of Colonel W A Bowen, DSO, with Captain JF Desmond, JP, as adjutant. The colours were in charge of Mr R A Joliffe. They were stationed at the head of Shipquay Street. The band of the 1st Battalion the Sherwood Foresters, under Bandmaster Smyth, took up their positions on the Bishop Street side of the Diamond, along with a massed choir of 400 mixed voices, who led the singing, under the conductorship of Mr J T Frankland, the Derry Cathedral organist.
The bereaved relatives had positions of honour on the Butcher Street side of the Gardens, and representatives of disbanded regiments and ex-Service Associations on the Ferryquay Street side.
The members of the Corporation assembled in the Council Chamber at noon, and, wearing their robes, escorted Major-General Ready to the Diamond. The procession was headed by the Sergeants-at-Arms and the Mace-Bearer (Mr D S Irvine, OBE, JP) and the Sword-Bearer (Mr W Hamilton). Then came the members of the Corporation, followed by Major-General Ready, with the City High Sheriff (Major James Colhoun, MC) on his right and the Mayor (Senator James Hamilton, JP) on his left, Lady Anderson being accompanied by Lieutenant A V Stopford-Sackville, ADC to Major-General Ready. On his arrival at the Diamond Major-General Ready inspected the guard of honour.
The Northern Government were represented by the Right Hon. J M Andrews, DL, MP, Minister of Labour; Viscount Charlemont, Minister of Education; and Right Hon. J M Barbour, DL, Minister of Commerce. The company present also included Alderman M S Moore, HML, County High Sheriff, and Senator J C Glendinning. The Hon. the Irish Society were represented by the Deputy-Governor, Mr Cecil D King-Farlow, MA, Captain L C Landringan, and Captain W A Lane, MC; the Royal Navy by Lieutenant-Commander C M Stack, HMS Caroline; the Royal Air Force by Wing-Commander C Wright, Belfast; the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve by Miss L V Gawley, matron, Londonderry City and County Infirmary. Others in attendance were – Lieut-Colonel K C Weldon, DSO; Lieut-Colonel Dumbell, DSO, Sherwood Foresters; Lieut-Colonel J K McClintock, CBE, DL; Major C A Alexander, MC; Major H A Allen, DSO, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Irish Fusiliers Depot, Omagh; Lieut-Colonel Knox, DSO, 36th Ulster Division; Lieut-Colonel W D Conran, DSO, Royal Engineers; Mr Robert H Smyth (chairman) and other members of the Londonderry Harbour Board, as well as representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies.
Amongst the clergy present were the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe (Right Rev. Dr Peacocke), the Moderator of the General Assembly (Right Rev. Dr James Thompson, Londonderry), the Dean of Derry (Very Rev. R G S King), who wore his uniform as a chaplain to the forces; Rev. Dr McGranahan, Rev J R W Roddie, Rev. Leslie Rankin, Rev. J Knox Dickey, and Ensign Grottick, of the Salvation Army.
Apologies were received from the Prime Minister (Viscount Craigavon), Right Hon. H M Pollock (Minister of Finance), Right Hon. Mr Archdale (Minister of Agriculture), Right Hon. Sir Dawson Bates, OBE, Minister for Home Affairs; the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, Admiral Francis S Miller, Captain Sholto Douglas, RN, Governor of the Leeke, MP, his Honour Judge R E Osborne, KC, Recorder of Londonderry; Lieut-Colonel W K Tillie, DL, DSO, and Mr Robert Watson, JP (member of the War Memorial Committee).
Admiral Miller, in a letter to Mr Thompson, hon. secretary of the War Memorial Committee, regretting that he was unable to be present, said:-
“May I ask you to convey to the chairman and members of the War Memorial Committee my sincere and grateful thanks for the kindly thoughts which prompted their invitation to me to be present at the unveiling ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, 23rd June? It is with profound regret that my engagements prevent me from accepting the same. Remembering the period 1917-19, when I had the privilege of enjoying the friendship of so many good friends in Derry and being associated with them in the many activities of the city, and, above all, their kindness to the men of the sea of all ranks and ratings, whether hale and hearty or suffering from the action of the enemy, together with their support to the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, it is a very great disappointment to me that I cannot be present and share with them in paying tribute to the memory of their honoured dead and those who served in the Great War. If you can in any way intimate my regrets I shall feel grateful, for I should not like friends to think that I have forgotten them. My thoughts and prayers will be of and for you all on the 23rd, and so will be those of my wife.
“I am fascinated with the memorial itself; it is so full of life and energy.”
The deeply impressive ceremony began with the singing of Kipling’s familiar recessional hymn, “God of our fathers.”
Lady Anderson’s Speech
Lady Anderson, in calling upon Major-General Ready to unveil the memorial, said – Mr Mayor and fellow-citizens of this ancient city of Derry, the members of the War Memorial Committee have done me a signal honour in asking me to preside here today in the unavoidable absence through illness of my husband, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee. I speak from a very full heart when I remember how he had looked forward to, and worked for, this day and is not able to be present, after all, at this memorable ceremony in the city he so greatly loves.
During the long and strenuous years of the war the men and women of Derry, as in her heroic past, played their part nobly and heroically, and when the call came for service they rushed to the ranks of the fighters and workers on sea and land with glowing enthusiasm and with hands and hearts ready for work and sacrifice. They lived, they served, they died gloriously.
The record for the city of over 4,000 volunteers is something of which we, and posterity may be justly proud, and the 756 names of our honoured dead inscribed on this our memorial will show that these brave and noble ones came from all creeds and classes, so that every citizen can join with us today when we proudly commemorate their glorious deeds.
In the name of the War Memorial Committee and the citizens of Derry, I ask the General Officer Commanding his Majesty’s forces in Northern Ireland, Major General Ready, CB, CSI, CMG, DSO, the distinguished soldier who has so kindly come here to join in this commemoration service, to unveil and dedicate this our city’s memorial to her gallant sons.
The Unveiling and Dedication
Major-General Ready, before unveiling the memorial, said –
I feel very deeply the great honour which has been paid to me in asking me to come here today to unveil this memorial. I should be proud to do so in any city, but how much more so in Derry whose history is an example to the whole Empire for its loyalty and devotion to the Crown.
Its citizens have ever been willing to show that no sacrifice is too great for them to make in order to uphold the glorious traditions of which you are so justly proud.
It is not, therefore, surprising that when the call was made in 1914 some 4,000 men connected with this city enrolled themselves to fight for their King and country. This beautiful memorial, on which are inscribed 756 names, is an everlasting tribute paid to their memory by their fellow-citizens.
On an occasion such as this we are stirred by two great emotions. We are moved to a great feeling of pride in that the sons of Derry have shown how they were prepared to sacrifice their all in order to maintain this glorious heritage of devotion to the Crown handed down to them by their fathers, and we are moved to a great feeling of sorrow knowing full well the grief and suffering which the loss of these brave men has caused, and, indeed, is still causing, to sorrowing friends and resolutions. But, besides recording these feelings of pride and sorrow, this memorial, so skilfully designed and executed and so beautifully situated, fulfils still another object. It stands for all time to remind those that come hereafter that should ever a just cause again arise the men of this city will come forward as fearlessly as they have done in the past to add another page to the splendid history of this great city.
Major-General Ready then unveiled and dedicated the memorial, and in doing so said – I now have the honour to unveil this memorial and to dedicate it to the glory of God and to the immortal memory of those whose names are inscribed thereon.
The memorial guard reversed arms, standing with bowed heads, their hands resting on the butts of their rifles as the roll of the drums signified the commencement of the one minute’s silence.
A great hush fell upon the vast assembly as they stood, with bowed heads, paying silent homage to their fellow-citizens who had made the supreme sacrifice.
Another roll of drums signalised the termination of the moment’s silence, and then the choir, accompanied by the band, sang that wonderfully beautiful hymn, “O Valiant Hearts,” written in commemoration of those who fought and have passed “into the light that never more shall fade.”
Then the buglers of the 1st Battalion the Sherwood Foresters sounded forth the defiant music of “The Last Post”:-
“Blow, ye bugles of England, blow,
Though you break the heart of her beaten foe.”
When the last notes had died away the band broke into a lament, to the music of “The Londonderry Air.”
All this time the four soldiers of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who formed the memorial guard, remained standing, one at each corner of the steps, with their heads bowed and hands resting on their arms reversed, but as the buglers broke forth into “The Reveille” they fixed bayonets and presented arms.
Handing over custody of the Memorial
In handing over the custody of the War Memorial to the Mayor on behalf of the citizens, Lady Anderson said:-
Mr Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the city of Derry, on behalf of the War Memorial Committee, I now hand over to your custody, as representing the citizens, this beautiful War Memorial for safe and reverent care and keeping, praying that, to every citizen, and to posterity, it may ever be an incentive to courage, loyalty and devotion, and that it may show through the long years to come that in the Great War Derry’s sons and daughters were true to her glorious history and willing to lay themselves on the altar of sacrifice in defence of their country, justice and liberty.
In accepting the custody of the memorial, the Mayor, said:-
Lady Anderson, Major-General Ready, and fellow-citizens, in the first place I desire to voice what I am sure is the mind of every citizen today when I say how much we regret the absence of Sir Robert Anderson, the chairman of the War Memorial Committee, more particularly on account of the cause, and we trust he may soon be restored to full health and vigour. We all know the zeal and energy he displayed in making this memorial the success it is, and how he looked forward to participating in today’s ceremony; also I am sure I express the mind of all present when I say that no more fitting substitute could have been secured to preside at this day’s function than Lady Anderson.
It is my duty and privilege, as Mayor of our ancient and historic city, on behalf of the Corporation and citizens, to accept and take over the future care and guardianship of this beautiful memorial, a tribute to the dead and an inspiration for the future. You may rest assured that the Corporation of today, and of future generations, will jealously guard the trust this day committed to them.
We are today adding another link to the chain recording the glorious traditions of the past of our city, and when I remind you that over 4,000 of our youth and manhood answered the call and volunteered to defend our Empire and ourselves from the attack of a tyrannical autocrat you will surely agree with me that those sons proved themselves worthy of their sires. It is only fitting that we should ever remember the 756 heroes of this city who gave up their lives “that we might live.”
“These laid the world away; poured out red
Sweet wine of youth; gave up the years to be
Of work and joy; and that unhoped serene
That men call age; and those who would have been,
Their sons, they gave their immortality.”
Neither let us forget those who came through the great conflict, and who are with us today, most of them bearing the scars of war, and our duty to them will remain as long as life itself. They risked their lives in serving King and country.
We again extend our deepest sympathy to the relatives of those whose names are inscribed on this memorial, and unite with them today as they mourn for those whom they will not see again until they meet in the Great Beyond.
It is very gratifying to see such an assemblage here, representative of all creeds and classes, met together in accord to do honour to the glorious dead. Let us express the hope that this spirit may long continue, and that, as those whom we mourn today gave their lives for the welfare of their country, we may devote ours in happy unity to promoting the interests and prosperity of our old city.
On behalf of the Corporation and citizens, I accept the “Trust” this day committed to our care.
The Mayor then placed a wreath on the memorial on behalf of the citizens, after which Major-General Ready, on behalf of the Northern Ireland District, and Councillor H Crawford McCay, on behalf of the British Legion, laid wreaths on the memorial.
The solemn ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, and then hundreds of wreaths were placed on the memorial, the base and steps leading to it being soon hidden beneath a mass of beautiful floral tributes.
A word of praise is due to Mr James Thompson, the hon. secretary of the War Memorial Committee, who, in addition to the arduous work of preparing the list of the fallen, also made the arrangements for Thursday’s ceremony.
The laying of the wreaths
Many beautiful tributes
The laying of the wreaths on the Memorial formed one of the most touching parts of the programme, hundreds of beautiful floral tributes, some to all the fallen, some to divisions, regiments, and members of congregations, and some to individual soldiers. There were wreaths from relatives of the fallen in Australia and Canada, and even some who have no relatives here had tributes of remembrance paid by friends.
After the Mayor, General Ready, and Mr H Crawford McCay had placed wreaths on the Memorial on behalf of the citizens, the Army, and the British Legion, wreaths were also laid on behalf of the following: –
The Royal Navy – Lieutenant-Commander C M Stack.
The Royal Air Force – Wing-Commander A C Wright.
Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (R) – Miss E V Gawley, matron, City and County Infirmary.
The Honourable Irish Society – Mr C D King-Farlow, MA (Deputy Governor).
36th Ulster Division – Lieutenant-Colonel R S Knox, DSO and Lieutenant A H Muir.
16th (Irish) Division – Captain J F Desmond, JP.
10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers – Lieutenant-Colonel F S N Macrory, DSO, and ex-RSM A White, MC.
The North Irish Horse – Major Sir Emerson Herdman, HML.
109th Brigade, Machine Gun Corps – Major W MacConachie.
The British Red Cross Society – VAD – Mrs R K Gilliland.
The British Sailors’ Society – Mrs E M Alexander, MBE, and Miss Houston.
British Legion – Messines Park Branch – Mr Pat Jones.
St Augustine’s Ex-Servicemen’s Association – Mr C W Kennedy.
Women of St Columb’s Cathedral – Mrs Helen Miller.
Men of Derry Cathedral – Master Wood, son of the late Sergeant-Major Wood.
The Salvation Army – Ensign Grottick.
Foyle College and Public Elementary Schools – Two senior pupils of each school.
Londonderry Chamber of Commerce – Mr W W Edmiston.
Londonderry Rotary Club – Mr T B Adams (president) and Mr Eadie (secretary).
Londonderry YMCA – Mr W H Kelso (chairman), Mr A E Lewis, and Mr H Lemon (general secretary).
City of Derry Boating Club – Mr Scott Thompson and Mr E Kellock.
Londonderry Boy Scouts’ Association – Mr J C Eaton.
Londonderry Girl Guides – Miss Osborne.
HM Post Office Staff – Mr Geraghty, Postmaster.
The Great Northern Railway – Londonderry Staff – Mr G Lavery, Stationmaster.
Brigade Cricket Club – Mr J Fleming and Mr W McGarvey.
Londonderry Branch RAOB – Mr H Payne, PGP.
The Corscaden Memorial W LOL, No. 26 – Mrs Cabena, WM.
Biggers Ltd.
Ulster Ex-Servicemen’s Association – Mr N Quinn.
Old Comrades’ Asoociation, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers – Captain Maguire.
Men of Christ Church.
Women of Christ Church.
Londonderry RUC – Sergeant Cullen (formerly 10th Dublin Fusiliers).
While the wreaths were all greatly admired, there were some which aroused particular admiration. Perhaps the most striking witnessed was that placed on the memorial by the Mayor on behalf of the citizens. It represented the Red Hand of Ulster, the design being exceedingly attractive. The hand, which occupied the centre position, was very artistically fashioned by a fine blend of red flowers, and was encircled by arum lilies, Lily Harrissi carnations, Alpine asters, and asparagus fern. The wreath was designed and executed by the firm of Messrs McCorkell, Waterloo-place, who had also orders for almost a hundred other floral tributes, all of which were remarkably beautiful, and showed excellent artistic taste. The flowers in every case were natural, and were grown at Messrs McCorkell’s well-known nursery, which is one of the best in the North-West.
McCoach & Co, Shipquay-place, supplied many of the wreaths, and their designs were exceedingly well-conceived, particularly in regard to the wreaths provided by the Royal Navy, the RAOB, W LOL No. 26, and the YMCA.
Robert McAuley, Carlisle Road, florist, also supplied some striking mementoes of the florist’s art, including the North Irish Horse, St Columb’s Cathedral, Christ Church, and Post Office, Londonderry, all of which were greatly admired.
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.
Research is not been undertaken at the moment due to the pandemic.