The Cork Branch of the Western Front Association, in conjunction with the Irish Great War Society, will be holding an exhibition and series of talks on the Great War of 1914-1918 at the Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park, Cork, on Saturday 2nd July 2011 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm to coincide with the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme which commenced on the 1 July 1916. The event is open to all with an interest in the history of The Great War and admission is free.
The 2010 Evening Echo Publication ‘A Great Sacrifice - Cork Servicemen who died in the Great War' identified over 3,700 fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen from the County of Cork who lost their lives during The Great War. One of the many consequences of the publication of this book was the recent formation of the Cork Branch of The Western Front Association. The Association was founded in the UK in 1980 by the noted military historian John Giles, with the aim of furthering interest in The Great War. It also aims to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of all those on all sides who served their countries in France and Belgium and their own countries during The Great War. Today it is recognised as the premier organisation for study, learning and research into all aspects of the Great War and numbered among its presidents and trustees are a number of distinguished academics, military historians and civic dignitaries. It is completely non-political and has over 6,000 members with branches throughout the world. We are proud to be the first branch to be established in Ireland.
The Cork Branch recently held it first official meeting in the Rob Roy Bar and elected a committee to oversee the activities of the Association here in Cork. Appointments were:
Honorary President, Mr Billy Good.
Chairman, Mr Gerry White,
Secretary, Mr David O'Connell.
Treasurer, Mr Francis O'Connor
Public Relations Officer, Mr Ross Glennon
Research Officer, Mrs Jean Prendergast
Education Officer, Mr Eugene Power.
Following this Mr Ross Glennon gave a talk on the Medals and Decorations of the Great War to those in attendance and was followed by Mr Billy Good who spoke of his father's war service, during which he was decorated for Gallantry. It is intended that the branch will hold monthly talks following their formal meetings.
The Great War was an event that shook the world in the early years of the last century. Never before had the world seen such industrialised and mechanical destruction of the flower of a generation in the history of mankind. From the waterlogged trenches of the Western Front, the dry dusty beaches and cliffs of Gallipoli, and the deprivations of Solonika, the nations of Europe and beyond fought a bloody and destructive war. Over 16,000,000 people, both civilian and military, lost their lives during this "War to end all wars" The Island of Ireland was not spared this tragic loss of life, and almost 50,000 Irish men serving in Irish regiments lost their lives in this bloody conflict. The names of Flanders, The Somme and Gallipoli are synonymous with the tragic number of deaths that impacted every county in the country. That is 50,000 families which suffered the heartache of receiving a dreading telegram. That is 50,000 stories and 50,000 lives cut short.
The famous old Irish Regiments are long gone, such as the Royal Munster Fusiliers, The Connaught Rangers, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Leinster Regiment and the South Irish Horse to name but a few. The sacrifice made by these Irishmen and those who returned home after the war was largely forgotten as our nation fought for its independence, and once achieved, set about establishing our new state. However, thanks are due to the many groups and individuals over the recent decades who have strived to ensure that the memories of these men were not forgotten. There has been a dramatic increase in interest in Ireland's contribution to the Great War in the past number of years. Initiatives such as the Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines in Belgium, in November 1998, again brought the sacrifice of so many Irishmen from all traditions back in to the public consciousness. It is the aim of the Cork Branch of The Western Front Association to promote understanding of the Great War and to commemorate all those that fell in that tragic conflict.
For further information on The Western Front Association, or if you would like to join the Branch, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact Mr Gerry White on 086 1778129 or Mr Ross Glennon on 087 9383420.
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 WFA Cork Event Poster Final.pdf | Understanding the Great War: Cork Branch 2 July 2011 | 341 Kb | 01/07/11 20:02 |
