The events of the First World War, particularly those that had a major effect on the history of Ireland, will be remembered and commemorated over the next six years.
The 10th and 16th Irish Divisions and the 36th Ulster Division suffered significant losses that were deeply felt by families from all parts of Ireland. Many tens of thousands of young, and sometimes not so young, men left home for the first time to go to France to join thousands of others on the Western Front with the expectation that they would all be “home by Christmas”. Women also played their part by taking on jobs at home to support the war effort with many others following our troops to the front line to provide medical and nursing care in dressing stations and field hospitals.
The Somme Association is currently developing its plans to commemorate the main events of the First World War to acknowledge the losses of a whole generation. We are seeking the backing of our Councils through the incoming year to assist with raising the necessary funds to ensure that we can commemorate the courage and sacrifice of the men who left home to join the fight, and the women who supported them.
Not only is 2014 the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War, but it is also the last year in which our existing Councils will operate before the changes resulting from Local Government Reform come into effect in April 2015. We are grateful for your support in the past and are now asking that you join with us in raising the necessary funds at this time. With your support and involvement we can start to invest in our plans to commemorate the centenaries of the First World War, through exhibitions and events at home as well as leading in several of the main commemoration ceremonies abroad. We are asking if you would consider sponsoring a fundraising event in your Council area to assist us in raising the necessary funds to ensure that the various events are carried out in a manner that is a fitting tribute. The event can range from a fundraising dinner or lunch to sponsoring a show or concert for members of the local community where the proceeds can go towards our Somme Association Centenary Appeal. We plan to formally launch the Appeal on the 7th April 2014. If you feel that you are unable to sponsor a fundraising event your council may wish to consider making a donation towards our Appeal.
Representatives of the Somme Association will be pleased to work with you to discuss the possible options and are available to attend a meeting of your council to give a presentation on our current plans and provide more information on our Appeal.
The centenaries of the First World War provide us with an opportunity for people from various backgrounds to come together to mark our shared history and to remember family members who stood together with others, many of whom did not return. It is important that their contribution and sacrifice is marked in an appropriate and fitting way that engages with all sections of our community and assists our young people in learning more about the key events in this part of our history and to better understand how we united at that time and shared the same emotions and the same sense of pain and loss. Our aim is to ensure that the centenaries of the First World War are marked in a way that the descendants of all of those stood together in war can join in commemorating their exceptional courage and sacrifice. In describing the actions of the 16th Irish Division and the 36th Ulster Division as they fought side by side at the Battle of Messines, Major William Redmond of The Royal Irish Regiment said “It would be a fine memorial to the men who have died so splendidly if we could, over their graves, build up a bridge”.
With your support we can continue to work to achieve that objective.
Dr Ian Adamson OBE
Chairman
The Somme Association