An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 16 | By CAPt PAuL EDWARD RoChE Mn, SECREtARy JutLAnD MEMoRIAL SoCIEty oF CoBh PhotoS By CPo goRDon kInSELLA, nS A Remembrance Service and unveiling of a Monument took place in Cobh, on Saturday 2nd June 2018, to honour the 20 sailors Cobh lost at the great Sea Battle of Jutland in 1916 and recognising all those who served in World War 1. A joint service held in St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, was hosted by Father John McCarthy, Catholic Church and Reverend Paul Arbuthnot, Church of Ireland, highlighting that the whole com- munity was affected by the tragic loss of life at Jutland. A packed Cathedral watched as a joint blessing then took place of twenty sailor's caps, each representing the rank of those Cobh men killed in action from the 31st May to the 1st June 1916. This included Commander Richard Herbert Denny Townsend, the highest-rank- ing Irishman to die at Jutland. Ms Eithne Wright, Chairwoman of the Jutland Memorial Society said, "It was a very dignified and emotional service". Ms Wright is the great niece of Shipwright William McGrath lost on HMS Queen Mary that day. Following the Remembrance Service, a short procession led by Piper Adam Duggan, a symbolic pall bearer detachment from the Irish Naval Service Reserve, the flag standards of the Royal Naval Association of Ireland were followed by descendants carrying the twenty sailor's caps to the Bible Gardens of the Benedictine Nuns, St Benedict's Priory, former British Admiralty House. There a monument to their sacrifice was unveiled by County Mayor, Coun- cillor Declan Hurley. It was jointly blessed by Father John McCarthy and the Reverend Paul Arbuthnot. Wreaths were laid and a bugler sounded the Last Post. This was followed by a two-minute silence which was concluded with a bell being rung eight times, tradi- tionally used to mark the change of the duty watch on ships. The event was concluded by Chev. Adrian Gebruers of St. Col- man's Cathedral where the service began. At 4.03pm, marking the time the HMS Indefatigable sank, he played on the Carillon Bells, the evocative "For Those in Peril at Sea" by John Dykes (1823-76) and then at 4.25pm, marking the sinking of HMS Queen Mary, the beautiful "Abide with Me" by William Monk (1823-89). All those gathered in the Bible Gardens had a grandstand seat for this unique performance with beautiful views across a sunny harbour. The Jutland Memorial Society was inspired by relatives of those who died from Queenstown (now Cόbh) in that battle. Chaired by Ms Eithne Wright, Secretary Captain Paul Roche, Treasurer Vincent McMahon, Committee Members Hendrick Verwey, Sonya O'Connor and Jimmy Wyse. The monument by local sculptor, James McLoughlin, is inscribed with the names of those from Queenstown who died at Jutland on the sides and the inscription on the front reads: "Dedicated to the memory of the men of Queenstown (Cobh) lost at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May – 1 June 1916 and all those who served in World War 1. Lest we forget" Ms Eithne Wright, Chairwoman of the Jutland Memorial Society said, "It brings home the reality of war and of the sacrifice they made and of the families they left behind. We are very grateful for the generosity of Cork County Council and the Port of Cork as main spon- sors, to local Businesses and Associa- tions and the people of Cobh, whose donations made this possible. We are especially thankful to the Benediction Nuns for allowing the Monument to be placed on their grounds." Lt Cdr Patrick Doherty, Naval Service (representing FOCNS) salutes after laying a wreath

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