Ballynahinch war memorial to be returned to glory

Ballynahinch war memorial to be returned to glory

5 December 2012

ONE Monday evening early in the 1930s, a British Legion deputation called on Lady Clanwilliam at Montalto House. They were seeking her support to erect a new War Memorial for Ballynahinch and the surrounding district.

As the wife of a Guards officer who had served in the Boer War and World War 1, she had no hesitation in agreeing. She then became Chairman and Hon. Treasurer of the Ballynahinch War Memorial Committee. (In the accompanying photo here, the little boy perched on her knee became the 6th Earl of Clanwilliam, and last of the name to live at Montalto).

Soon afterwards there was a fund-raising variety sale in Ballynahinch Market House, then called the Court House. The event was opened by her daughter Lady Scott, who had recently been injured in a hunting accident, but was now recovered.

Colonel ARG Gordon MP was present, along with Rev. Thomas Warwick, Ballynahinch Congregational Church, Rev. Tom McCreight, Rector of Magheradroll and Rev. Noble Huston, First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church. All spoke in support of the memorial project. In 1929 Rev. Warwick, a former Army Chaplain for the Royal Artillery, had erected a new War Memorial Hall at his own church.

On Sunday, November 11, 1934, Armistice Day, the new War Memorial was duly unveiled. The Revs. Warwick, McCreight and Huston again participated, assisted by Rev. Francis Wilson, joint minister of Ballynahinch 2nd and 3rd Presbyterian Churches. At the time the Third Church was just across the road opposite the memorial.

None of those present were then to know it, but only five years later in 1939 the world was once again to be engulfed by war. And only 15 years later, on Sunday, November 6, 1949, the Rev Tom Warwick was back on the very same spot, this time to unveil the names of the dead of World War 2.

Ballynahinch War Memorial, recently scene of the largest Remembrance Sunday commemoration in Down District, is now almost 80 years old and in need of extensive refurbishment. An architect’s assessment, received on November 13 by Down District Council, reported that “A detailed inspection of the war memorial revealed extensive and significant weather erosion to all four sides”.

On Thursday night, November 22, a new Ballynahinch War Memorial Committee was formed at a meeting in the British Legion hall. Under the chairmanship of Andrew Carlisle it is planning a complete restoration of the memorial; fundraising will begin soon.

The wide representation on the committee is very promising. Members include Mr. Robert McClements, the long-serving parade marshal for Ballynahinch Remembrance Sunday services; and Mr. Nigel McFadzean, direct descendant of Private Billy McFadzean VC, one of the first casualties of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The proposal to restore the Ballynahinch memorial is well timed. In October the Prime Minister launched a £50m fund for the Centenary Commemoration of WW1. In March the Stormont Executive inaugurated our own 1912-22 Decade of Centennials. This series of events will recall a defining era in our history that included the signing of the Ulster Covenant, the Battle of the Somme, the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the establishment of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

Further announcements from Ballynahinch War Memorial Committee will follow.