'Remembering'- the city's involvement in World War I

A NEW book charting the history of those from the city who took part in the Great War of 1914-18 relates the tales of twenty men who died on the battlefields of Europe.

From both traditions, the stories of these men, as told through the eyes of their ancestors are a terribly poignant reminder, not only of the tragedy of war, but of the tragedy of communal division in Ireland. With the change in the political dynamic of Northern Ireland, 'Remembering-Our Shared Legacy From The First World War', charts not only memories of those who died, but expresses hope that the horrible lessons of war can be used for as beacon towards a brighter future.

When hostilities broke out in Europe in 1914 as many as 5,000 men from Londonderry left the city to serve in what became known as the 'Great War.'

If we consider that almost 17 million died between August 1914 and November 1918, the figure that departed this city may seem to some an 'insignificant' statistic in the grand scheme of things. However, if you consider that in 1914 the population of Londonderry was just 40,000 and over 1,000 of those 5,000 that departed to serve in the War, never returned to the city, the picture drastically changes.

We know that just before the outbreak of WWI, Ireland was precariously perched on the brink of a civil war. The likely success of Gladstone's Third Home Rule Bill making it to legislative stage was ever increasing.

In 1911, The Parliament Act curtailed the power of the Lords in scuppering legislation 'unfavoured' by the largely conservative status quo-powers that had effectively overruled the first two Home Rule Bills.

In Ulster, the spectre of self-governance for a largely nationalist island was unthinkable. Resistance to the idea amongst Protestants and Unionists was spearheaded by the figure of Edward Carson. In the run up to the passing of the Home Rule Bill Carson held 'monster' rallies across Ulster urging that loyalists should be "prepared" for the advent of Home Rule. He advocated the formation of a 'Provisional Government in Ulster' and on September 28, 1912 was the first signatory of The Ulster Solemn League and Covenant - a document pledging resistance to Home Rule by 'whatever means necessary'.

From this, in January 1913, sprang the Ulster Volunteer Force. The UVF garnered a large supply of arms from Germany, who were of course eager to foster as much political instability against Britain at the time. The third Home Rule Bill passed through the Commons on May 25, 1914, with a 77 strong majority. As said, it did not require the assent of the Lords and it was at this point, given the threat posed by Carson and the UVF of open rebellion, that Prime Minister Herbert Asquith prepared to send British troops to Ulster to quell the unrest.

So, together with the arming of the southern Irish Volunteers, Ireland was on the brink of civil war when the outbreak of the First World War led to the suspension of the Home Rule Act's operation until the end of the war. By this time Carson had announced in Belfast that an Ulster Division would be formed from the UVF and the 36th (Ulster) Division was swiftly organised.

In Londonderry, as in many other parts of the country, economic necessity as much as a sense of loyalty may well have been a factor in so many men from both the Protestant and Catholic traditions heading for the various battlefields of Europe. In recent years it has been revealed that almost 50 per cent of the names recorded on the City's Diamond War Memorial hailed from the Catholic/nationalist community. But, with the advent of the Easter Rising in 1916 and again at onset of the Troubles in 1969 it is true that those from the Catholic tradition felt uncomfortable recognising or remembering the involvement of their ancestors in service to the Crown.

With the change in the political outlook in Ireland in recent years, not only have nationalists and republicans in this city begun to take personal artefacts from dusty shoeboxes in darkened attics to trace the history of relatives, but the Irish Government too have officially recognised the role that southern Irishmen played within Redmond's 16th Irish Division. British war graves have at last been charted by the Republic's Office of Public Works, are now being tended to and joint ceremonies from representatives of both parts of the Island have taken place in Londonderry, as well as in France and Belgium.

'Remembering - Our Shared Legacy From The First World War', is a book produced by YES publications. Edited by Eamonn Baker and with reserach conducted by local historian Trevor Temple, the publication is available at outlets across the city including the offices of the Londonderry Sentinel, priced 10.