Memorial to Somme VC heroes
A MEMORIAL plaque to three men awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery at Guillemont during the Somme will be unveiled at a church in the French village today.
Private Thomas Hughes, from Coravoo, Co Monaghan, and Lieutenant John Vincent Holland, of Athy, Co Kildare, both of the 16th (Irish) Division, were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions during
the intense combat at Guillemont on September 3, 1916.
Private Hughes, of the 6th Battalion Connaught Rangers, was a 31-year-old rifleman when he was wounded in an attack.
He suffered four wounds before returning to action. Despite his injuries, he single-handedly captured a German machine gun after shooting two of the crew and capturing four others.
Lieutenant Holland, of the 7th Battalion Leinster Regiment, was a bombing officer who led a party of 26 men into enemy dugouts. His group suffered severe losses but destroyed many enemy strong points and captured some 50 prisoners.
The third Victoria Cross awarded at Guillemont went to Sergeant David Jones from Liverpool, who served in the 12th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.
As well as the unveiling of a memorial plaque for the Victoria Cross recipients, the Somme Association will oversee a service for the 16th (Irish) Division in commemoration of the role played by Irish men in the Great War.
Carol Walker, director of the Somme Association based in Newtownards, said it was important that visitors to the French village should learn of their contribution.
"This is the first memorial to commemorate the actions of the recipients of the Victoria Cross on the battlefield of Guillemont," she said.
"The establishment of this memorial will hopefully assist future generations in continuing to remember the role played by the 16th (Irish) Division here."
Representatives from Ulster's councils, the British/Irish Joint Sec-retariat and military personnel from the 38 (Irish) Brigade, the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Defence Forces will attend today's proceedings.
The memorial plaque will be unveiled at Guillemont Church after a special service organised in conjunction with the French Somme Remembrance Association.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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