The
Inscription on the Memorial Reads :
"This Memorial is Dedicated to the Men and Women of the Orange
Institution Worldwide, who at the call of King and country, left all that
was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out
of the sight of man by the path of duty and self sacrifice, giving up
their own lives that others might live in Freedom. Let those who come
after see to it that their names be not forgotten."
The Orange Memorial
in France to fallen brethren not only recalls the service to King and
Country by members of the Orange institution from throughout the world
in the Great War 1914-1918 but in other conflicts before and since.
The siting of the memorial at the Somme beside the Ulster Tower
was deemed appropriate when we consider the great sacrifices that were
made on that now sacred ground by members of our Order. The memorial does
not detract from the memory and our deep sincere appreciation of all those
who paid the supreme sacrifice men and women of all nationalities and
of all religions.
The memorial does however provide a focus of remembrance for Orangemen
and women and their descendants throughout the world as more and more
make the piigrimage to the Battlefields of Europe. It is a historical
fact that the Orange Institution saw more of its members serve and make
the supreme sacrifice in the first world war than any other single orgainisation.
The Orange Institution are justly proud of the tens of thousands of brethren
who in the rich tradition of orangeism left all that was dear to them
to serve their King and country and to protect the civil and religious
liberty that lies at the heart of the institution.
The call to arms by Bro. Sir Samuel Hughes, the Canadain Minister for
War and member of LOL 557 Lindsay Ontario resulted in some 80,000 brethren
from Canada volunteer.
They were followed by thousands of Australian and -; New Zealand Orangemen,
Able Seaman Bro William George Vincent Williams of LOL
92 Melbourne, was the first Australian to be killed in the war. Thousands
more from South Africa, the USA and lesser known countries and islands
from throughout the Commonwealth answered the call and paid the supreme
sacrifice.
A painting that can be found inside the Ulster Tower which
depicts an assult on the Ulstermen's line.
Note that some of the men are wearing Orange Order Sashes that members
put on before going over the top
Members of the Orange Order who have been awarded the Victoria Cross :
Bro George Richardson VC Pte. 431834th Regt. of Foot, later the
Border Regt. and latterly Sgt Prince of Wales Royal Rifles of Canada.
Richardson won his VC during the Indian Mutiny and was recommended on
3 other occasions for the same award.
Bro. Abraham Acton VC Pte. 10694. The Border Regt and
member of Whitehaven Lodge, England. Bro Acton won his VC at Rouge Bances,
21th December 1914.
Bro. Robert Ouigg VC Pte 12/18645 12th Battalion Royal Irish
Rifles and member of Aird LOL 1195. Bro Quigg won his VC at Hamel,France,
1st July 1916.
Bro Hill Hanna VC CSM 75361 29th Vancouver I British
Columbia Regt Canada and member Ontario LOL 2226. Bro Hanna won his VC
at L France, 21st September 1917.
Bro Rev John Weir Foote VC Capt later Col Canadian Chaplins service
attached to Royal Hami Light Infantry and member of Fraserville LOL Ontario.
Bro Weir Foot was awarded his VC February 1946 for services above and
beyond the of duty during WW2.
It must also be recalled that Bro Robert Dixon I2442 Toronto serving with
the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and Bro. Lieut J McCormick
also from Canada were recommended the VC although this was not to be.
These few words in themselves do not give justice to the long history
of Orangism and Military. It barely touches the surface of a proud history
that to this day is engraved in the hearts of every member of the order
but alas has been so easily forgotten or ignored by that democratic and
fair society for which they fought and still fight for in service of the
Crown.
Thiepval Memorial LOL 1916 who are responsible for the memorial and was
founded under the auspices of the Grand Orange Lodge Ireland. Its mission
to preserve the memory of fallen brethren in two world wars and in other
conflicts draws its membership from orange lodges throughout the world.
See
also the article named 'Sons of the Brave'
on the submissions page of the Resources section
This is an article written by Bro. G. Chittick LOL 1038,
which details the events of the day that the Orange Memorial was unveiled.
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