 |
"The Nation who forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." - Calvin Coolidge
Local Soldier remembered at Memorial Service
A special memorial service took place in Kilchreest Graveyard on Sunday 27th August to remember Private John (Jacko) Browne 100 years after he fought in World War 1. John died aged 27 on March 29th 1917 in Saulty northern France. He was a member of the South Irish horse division of the British army. He is interred in France and is remembered on the family headstone in Kilchreest . A wreath was laid in his honor during the service which was attended by a large number of family members from London, Perth, Sydney and many parts of Ireland along with friends.
Taken from Noah’s project in June 2017……..
My Great Grand Uncle John Browne died on March 27th 1917 in Northern France. He was a member of the British Army and his regiment was "south lrish Horse". He was 27 years old. He is buried in France and last year, my Nana (Geraldine Halpin) and her sister went to France and found his grave.
Nana said that it was a very emotional visit as no one from the family had ever been there before. She said that it was a beautiful, peaceful, well looked after cemetery in the middle of lovely countryside.
His name and his regiment are written on the gravestone and the date that he died. She brought water from St. Martin's well in Ballynacally and some earth from his home to lay on the grave.
It was a terrible war and millions of young men died, some only 17 or 18 years old. Some of them were never found. At the time lreland was ruled by England and that is why he was fighting with the British Army. My Nana has his portrait and his medals hanging in her house. They used to hang in her grandparent's house and were missing for a long time but were finally found in someone's attic. She is so happy to have found them.
On August 27th 2017 she organised to have a special memorial service in Cill Chriost Graveyard to remember him which was attended by family from London, Perth, Sydney and many parts of Ireland as well as friends and neighbours. His name is now engraved on the family tombstone in Cill Chriost after 100 years.
A memorial was built in Ennis near Dunnes Stores and there was a service held there last year to remember all the Clare men who died in World War 1 from almost every village in the County. My Grand Uncle's name is first on the list...JOHN BROWNE BALLYNACALLY.
We must never forget these brave men who gave their lives in that war.
The Poppy is the emblem of World War 1 and is worn with pride by anyone who wishes to remember all these brave men. Poppies grow all over Northern France where the war happened.
LEST WE FORGET