Centenary tribute for the 1926 unveiling of the16th Irish Division Memorial at Wijtschaete by the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment & South Irish Horse Association. The Royal Irish Regiment until 1881 was the 18th Regiment of Foot. Its 2nd & 6th Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment were part of the 16th Irish Division.

Flanders 1917:
On 7th June 1917, the Division went into battle alongside the 36th (Ulster) Division in an attack of Messines Ridge. The Divisions were tasked with taking the village of Wytschaete and succeeded. In July, the Division took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, but the battles took their toll and, by August, the 16th (Irish) Division had lost over 4,200 casualties.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The weather today wasn't favourable at all, so the intimate ceremony was partially done under a large willow tree at the annex cemetery. The association was represented by Chairperson Kay Neagle, secretary Mary Anne Maher and Tony Cosgrave, the standard bearer. Some friends attended too. It was a privilege to be present.

The memorial at its unveiling on 22 august 1926 was blessed by Army Chaplain Richard Bird and Army Chaplain Maurice O'Connel. Relatives of Revd. Bird attended today: Richard Bird who is a nephew of Rev. Bird and Andrew Bird & Lucinda Westerman who are great nephew & great niece of Rev. Bird.

Nederlands

Eeuwherdenking van de inwijding  in 1926 van het 16e Ierse Divisie Memorial te Wijtschaete door de 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment & South Irish Horse Association. Het Royal Irish Regiment was tot 1881 het 18e Regiment of Foot. Het 2e en 6e Bataljon van het Royal Irish Regiment maakten deel uit van de 16e Ierse Divisie.

Vlaanderen 1917:

Op 7 juni 1917 ging de divisie samen met de 36e (Ulster) Divisie in aanval op Messines Ridge. De divisies kregen de opdracht het dorp Wijtschate in te nemen en slaagden daarin. In juli nam de Divisie deel aan de 3e Slag bij Ieper, maar de gevechten eisten hun tol en in augustus had de 16e (Ierse) Divisie meer dan 4.200 slachtoffers geleden.

WE BLIJVEN HEN GEDENKEN.

Het weer was vandaag helemaal niet gunstig, dus vond de ingekorte, intieme ceremonie deels plaats onder een grote wilg op de ernaast gelegen begraafplaats. De vereniging werd vertegenwoordigd door voorzitter Kay Neagle, secretaris Mary Anne Maher en Tony Cosgrave, de vaandeldrager. Ook wat vrienden waren erbij. Het was een voorrecht om aanwezig te zijn.

Het monument werd bij de onthulling op 22 augustus 1926 gezegend door legerkapelaan Richard Bird en legeraalmoezenier Maurice O'Connel.
Van predikant Bird waren vandaag aanwezig: Richard Bird, een neef van predikant Bird, en Andrew Bird en Lucinda. Familieleden Westerman, die achterneef en achternicht zijn van predikant Bird. 





address by Mary Anne Maher, secretary of the 18th Regt. of Foot Royal Irish Regiment & South Irish Horse Association





address by Richard Bird, nephew of Revd. Bird



Lucinda Westerman (Brigadier British Army), great niece of Revd. Bird and Richard Bird, nephew of Revd. Bird.





address by Kay Neagle, Chairperson of the Association









Kay Neagle, Chairperson of the Association laying a wreath.





Richard Bird, nephew of Revd. Bird laying a wreath the memorial.









Christine Ryan, Mary Anne Maher (secretary), Kay Neagle (Chairperson), Tony Cosgrave (standard bearer), Andrew Bird*, Lucinda Westerman*, Dr. Ian Sexton and Richard Bird* at the 16th Irish Division Memorial Cross. (* relatives of Revd. Bird).



18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment & South Irish Horse standard.





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