Remni Mar 08
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March 08, 2019 remembrance ni In the newspapers - March 8 Page !1 March 08, 2019 Whilst British Commanders on the Western Front were considering where the initial attacks of the Kaiserschlacht would take place, the Daily Mirror of this date 101 years ago published this prophetic article. 8th March 1915 Belfast Newsletter THE ULSTER DIVISION. Two Additional Chaplains. Two additional appointments to chaplaincies in the Ulster Division have been made, Rev. R. Ussher Greer (Banbridge) and Rev. W. J. Robinson (Skibbereen) having accepted posts as Church of Ireland and Wesleyan chaplain respectively. The chaplains attached to the division now number six. They have given up their ministerial charges, and will accompany the division on active service, in the meantime doing duty in the various camps to which they are allotted. Three belong to the Church of Ireland—Rev. Canon King (Limavady), Rev. C. C. Manning (Comber), and Rev. R. Ussher Greer (Banbridge) ; two to the Presbyterian Church —Rev. D. K. Mitchell (Broughshane) and Rev. J. L. Jackson Wright (Ballyshannon), and one to the Wesleyan Church (Rev. W. G. Robinson). Rev. R. Ussher Greer, the newly-appointed chaplain, is one of the best known clergymen in the diocese of Down. He was formerly rector of St. Michael's, Belfast, subsequently of Christ Church, Lisburn, and in 1911, on the Page !2 March 08, 2019 removal of Canon Grierson to the Deanery of Belfast, was appointed rector of Seapatrick, Banbridge. Rev. W. J. Robinson is a son of Mr. James Robinson, 88, North Parade, and is married to a Belfast lady. He was formerly minister at Sydenham, and has had considerable experience at military life as Wesleyan chaplain at the Curragh. His present appointment is Skibbereen, County Cork. Please note - Research is continuing on these and other chaplains in both wars. The mini biographies below are part of an ongoing project. The Reverend Richard Ussher Greer died of a Cerbral Haemorrhage on 23rd June 1915 at the Rectory in Banbridge and is buried in Tullanisken (Holy Trinity) Church of Ireland Churchyard in County Tyrone. He is commemorated on a memorial tablet and a memorial window in St Michael's Church of Ireland on Craven Street, off the Shankill Road. +GREER, Richard Ussher CF. 4th Class. 36th (Ulster) Division. TCD 1887, BA 1890, MA 1893. Curate of Christ Church, Lisburn C.1902. Rector of St Michael’s, Belfast. Rector of Seapatrick, Banbridge 1911 - 15. Following the declaration of war in 1914 and the announcement on the 3rd September by Sir Edward Carson of the formation of the 36th (Ulster) Division, the Rev. Greer immediately secured a Page !3 March 08, 2019 chaplaincy with the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (East Belfast Volunteers). The 8th Battalion, along with the 9th, 10th and 15th Battalions, Royal Irish Rifles formed the 107th Infantry Brigade. They were initially trained at Ballykinlar Camp on the County Down Coast, and it was while the Rev Greer was on a leave of absence from there that he suffered a brain hemorrhage at home and died suddenly on 23 June 1915. Born on 29 July 1868 at Riverside, County Tyrone. Richard was the son of the Reverend William Henry and Charlotte Pike. Rev Greer was Rector of Kilcoleman and Crossboyle, County Mayo. Richard was educated at the Royal School Armagh and then the Royal School Dungannon and Trinity College Dublin (1887-93). Page !4 March 08, 2019 Richard Ussher Greer married Elizabeth Lindsay Greer, daughter of Frederick Greer and Cecilia Staples, of Tullylagan Demense, County Tyrone, on 28 April 1898. Family: Richard Ussher Greer; Elizabeth Lindsay/Lauder Greer; Ussher Macgregor Greer (born 8 Jun 1899), (died 4 Jan 1962); Rt. Rev. William Derrick Lindsay Greer (born 28 Feb 1902), (died 30 Oct 1972); Margaret Cecilia Lindsay Greer (born 21 Mar 1905); Monica Elizabeth Greer (born 27 Feb 1907). At his funeral he was given full military honours, his coffin was carried from the old Seapatrick Rectory by members of the Orange and Black Institutions. He had for a long time, been associated with both institutions, being chaplain to the local Seapatrick Orange lodges, Banbridge Bible and Crown Defenders LOL 423 and also Chaplain to Mount Nebo RBP 53. In fact, he was so well liked that following his death, a Woman’s Orange Lodge was formed in his honour called “The Greer Memorial WLOL41”. This lodge is still in existence today and meets monthly in Banbridge Orange Hall under his photograph. His portrait in full military uniform graced the LOL 423 lodge banner and it was only recently that a new banner was dedicated that depicts St Patrick’s Village Church, Seapatrick. Members of the Royal Irish Constabulary along with 100 soldiers of the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles formed the guard of honour at his funeral and his sons Ussher Macgregor Greer and William Derrick Lindsay Greer walked behind the coffin. On arrival at the parish church, four fellow officers carried his coffin in. The Reverend C C Manning, a Chaplain to the Forces, conducted the funeral service. The Reverend D R Mitchell BA, the Presbyterian Chaplain to 107th Infantry Brigade read a special lesson. Canon Peacock gave the address. At the conclusion of the service, the regimental band of the 8th Battalion played the Death March and Page !5 March 08, 2019 the Last Post as the casket left the church. The cortege then left for a private family burial in Newmills Church of Ireland churchyard in County Tyrone. Right Rev J Irvine Peacock, Lord Bishop of Derry, unveiled a memorial tablet in November 1916 to the memory of the late Rev R Ussher Greer. The memorial tablet can still be viewed today in Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge, Co Down. It is on the left of the chancel and bears the Inscription: “To the Glory of God And the Loving Memory of Richard Ussher Greer M. A. For 3 ½ years Rector of this parish 1911-15. Until the day break and the shadows flee away” Memorial in St Michael’s Church, Craven St., Belfast Page !6 March 08, 2019 Buried at Newmills, which is just off the Dungannon to Cookstown Road. The family plot has a large granite headstone and ornate fenced surround and it sits proudly overlooking the main road through the village in the churchyard adjacent to the church. Rev Richard Ussher Greer’s son, Rt. Rev. William Derrick Lindsay Greer, was Bishop of Manchester between 1947 and 1970. KING, Richard George Salmon CF. Commissioned 02/11/1914. Senior Divisional Chaplain Chaplain to 36th (Ulster) Division. TCD BA, MA. Curate of Mullingar, then Holloway. Rector of Drumachose (Limavady) 1904 - 21, Canon of Derry Cathedral 1914 - 21. Dean of Derry 1921 - 46. Married Dorothea Smyly. Signed the Ulster Covenant. Eldest son was Second Lieutenant Robert Andrew Ferguson Smyly King, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who died at Boulogne on Whitsun Day 23/05/1916, from wounds received at Ypres on 10/05/1916. Robert was just 19. He had been commissioned from Sandhurst, in November 1914. He was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. He is commemorated in Christ Church, Drumachose, Limavady, on one of the large niche panels, and on the Tullow Church War Memorial and the Diamond War Memorial, Londonderry. MANNING, Charles Campbell & ! Page !7 March 08, 2019 CF. 1914 - 1918. Commissioned 02/11/1914. Attached to 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in France. Divisional Chaplain to 36th(Ulster) Division. Mentioned in Despatches 1917. Military Cross (London Gazette 05/07/1918) - “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When casualties were caused among three batteries by heavy shelling, he rendered valuable assistance in attending to the wounded. He was often with the batteries under heavy fire, cheering and encouraging the men by his fearless example.”! TCD BA 1896, MA1901. Curate Carrickfergus 1896 - 1900, Curate Holywood 1900 - 1903. Rector of Muckamore 1903 - 1911, Rector of Comber 1911 - 1918. Rector of Drumbeg 1918 - 1920. Prebendary of Dunsford (19221927), Precentor of Down (1927-1930) and Archdeacon of Down in 1930. Rector of Holywood! He was invited to conduct the dedication of the War Memorial tower in St Colman's Church, Dunmurry. The press report of the occasion states:! “There was an overflow congregation, the pulpit was covered with a large Union Jack, the War Memorial was decorated by Mr & Mrs George MacRory, Dunmurry House and guarded by Sergeants Wright and Press of the C.L.B. company. Following the unveiling by the Revd. Manning, the buglers of the C.L.B. company sounded the `Last Post' and half of the Reveille, and a verse of the National Anthem was sung. The Revd. Manning's text was from the book of Esther, chapter 1 verse 12. Stainer's anthem was rendered with much feeling and tenderness and the entire service reflected credit on the choir and on Mr R. Marlowe, B.A. who presided at the organ.”! He dedicated the Comber War Memorial on 14/04/1923.! Page !8 March 08, 2019 Born in Dublin, the son of Michael James Manning. Married Dilliana Mary Violet, daughter of George Chamberlain, Rector of Carrickfergus, on 03/07/1901. One of her brothers, Neville, was lost in HMS Anchusa. Another brother was Canon AP Chamberlain, rector of Castlerock, and later Castledawson and Clanabogan. Archdeacon Manning died on 22/10/1954 and is buried in Drumbo Parish churchyard. Memorial plaque in Muckamore Parish Church.! MAYES, Samuel CF. Commissioned December 1916. 262731. J. Attached to 110th Field Ambulance 18/01/1917; to 9th (Service) Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (County Armagh) 22/03/1917. Chaplain during the Battle of Langemarck. Returned to England. Released from service on 09/01/1918.(WO 339/134484).