Many people from the surrounding neighbourhood of Pettigo gathered in that picturesque little town on Tuesday 17, May, 1921, to witness the unveiling by Sir John Leslie, Bart, H.M.L., for County Monaghan of the war memorial which has been erected by the inhabitants, friends, and neighbours of the district in proud and grateful commemoration of the gallant men from that locality, who died in the great war.

Men from the 9^th Lancers, Enniskillen in charge of Captain Wynne and a number of Constabulary stationed at Pettigo, formed a guard of honour during the proceedings. The sun shone brilliantly throughout the day adding comfort and warmth to those present and cheering up many a sad heart whose thoughts wandered to far-off battle fields in loving memory of dear ones laid to rest.

The memorial, which is erected in the main street, took the form of a marble slab and the tablet reads as follows:

IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL COMMEMORATION OF-

Captain Norman Leslie, Rifle Brigade; Sergeant A. D. Moore, Royal Irish Fusiliers; Corporal F. G. Read, Canadian Machine-Gun Corps; Lance-Corporal W. C. Emery, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Lance-Corporal J. Shute, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Gunner A. Abraham, Royal Garrison Artillery; Private A. Graham, Canadian Infantry; Private B. Graham, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private J. Graham, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private D. Johnston, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private T. Johnston, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private J. Monaghan, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private A. Murray, Royal Scots Fusiliers; Private S. T. Read, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; Private A. Seaney, Irish Guards; Private R. Stewart, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Private J. Wray, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers;

Who Gave Their Lives In The Great War 1914-1918.

ERECTED BY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS OF THE GALLANT MEN WHOSE NAMES ARE INSCRIBED ON THIS MEMORIAL.

Major C. C. D’Arcy Irvine, J.P., said he had great pleasure in asking Sir John Leslie to unveil the memorial to their fallen friends.

Sir John Leslie said it was with feelings of the very deepest emotion he stood there that day to unveil a memorial to the men of Pettigo and that district who had lost their lives in the great war. The considerable number of names on the memorial proved that the men of Templecarne and of the town of Pettigo were not afraid to do their duty both in the trenches and in the field. He thought the memorial would point out to future generations, still unborn, that their fathers were men and such names as Vimy Ridge, Ypres, and so on were sure to become household words for many years to come. The young of that parish would speak those words with awe and wonder. He rejoiced in the fact that the monument, which he was about to unveil had inscribed upon it the names of men of different religions. Those men worship the same great God, those men fought with the same great spirit on the field and under the same flag. They gave up their lives for King and country and those they left behind, and while doing their duty became aware of the worth and good qualities of each other. He was not there to make a very long speech for to go on into the history of the war would take many months, but this he felt bound to say, that he who had only taken a humble part in the war felt most deeply honoured in been chosen by that community to unveil the monument to so many heroes, both dead and alive. He knew there were many men present that day who fought in the great war and survived it. Those men did their duty just as well as their comrades who fell; they cheerfully left their homes and their fields to toil to take their risks in warfare. All honour to those men and long might they live to tell the tale of the Irish Brigades and the victories they had won. They all felt sorry for the great losses sustained but this feeling must give way to feelings of pride and enthusiasm in the thought that their sons had perished not in vain.

At this stage Sir John uncovered the memorial and the complete stillness which prevailed throughout his remarks was suddenly broken by the sounding of the Last Post, which invariably adds a note of pathos on occasions of this kind, therefore, it is not to be wondered at that an occasional handkerchief made its appearance to wipe away a silent tear amongst the women folk, while sturdy old men-probably fathers-bowed their bare heads lower. After the Last Post a touching incident took place when two beautiful wreaths were tenderly placed at the foot of the memorial. One was in memory of Corporal Fred and Private Tom Read, while the other was placed there by the War Memorial Committee.

The Right Hon. Edward Archdale, D.L., M.P., who was asked to speak, said he felt very proud at being called upon to say a few words. He had only come there to pay his respect to the men of Pettigo who did their duty. The people of Pettigo should be proud of those men who went forth to save the land from the most utter slavery that a land could bear. The men had done the utmost they could do, when they gave their lives for their country. He was sure when the children of Pettigo grew up, if they could not emulate those gallant men, they would do all they could to follow their example. He thanked them very much for giving him a chance of saying a few words in honour of those brave men. As he had already stated he had only come there to pay his tribute of respect.

Rev. R. C. Lapham proposed a vote of thanks to Sir John Leslie in coming to unveil the memorial.

Mr. S. W. H. Burton, Manager of the Belfast Bank in Pettigo, seconded the proposal, which was passed with acclamation.

Sir John Leslie said to do such a service deserved no thanks at all.

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

After them the unveiling of the memorial the ladies of Pettigo provided tea for all visitors present including the soldiers and constabulary.

The Fermanagh Times, May 19, 1921.

MOORE ADAM, Sergeant 9^th Bn., Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose death in action on the 1^st July, 1916, has been officially notified to his mother who resides at Pettigo, Co. Donegal. For a considerable time Sergeant Moore had the charge of the tailoring and ready-made department in Mr. W. J. Lennox’s, Market Street, Armagh, and was very highly esteemed both by his employer, his fellow-assistances and the customers of the firm. He was in pre-war days a member of the Armagh Company of the Ulster Volunteer Force and join the colours in September, 1914. His promotion was rapid and he went to France with the Ulster Division at the beginning of October, 1915. Having been sent back to this country for slight a operation, which was successful, he was for a short time in charge of drafts at Newtownards and was then sent back to France. His death is keenly regretted by a wide circle of friends. There is a photo of him in this paper.

The Ulster Gazette and Armagh Standard, June 23, 1917.