The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War: With a Description of the Operations in the Aden HinterlandRomer, Cecil Francis
History
The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War: With a Description of the Operations in the Aden Hinterland
Romer, Cecil Francis
Great Britain. Army. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 2nd Battalion; South African War, 1899-1902 -- Regimental histories
'The military arrangements were of a most elaborate nature, and
thoroughly in keeping with the occasion. The troops of the Dublin
Garrison and representative detachments of the Line and Militia
battalions of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were drawn up in the vicinity
of the Memorial Arch, and presented a very imposing appearance. There
was also a representative gathering of ex-soldiers who had served in
the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the South African war and of members
of the Veterans' Club, who were accommodated in special places
reserved for them on the outside of the arch. After the troops had
been drawn up, the massed bands of the 13th Infantry Brigade played
a number of pleasing selections whilst awaiting the arrival of H.R.H.
the Duke of Connaught.
'The magnificent monument, which takes the form of a triumphal arch
spanning the north-west corner of St. Stephen's Green, was greatly
admired by the crowd. The noble archway is undoubtedly a most
beautiful and artistic ornament to the city. Twelve feet in width, it
springs from rusticated piers, each intersected by a pedestal and a
pair of pilasters supporting a Doric entablature. The frieze bears on
its four elevations the names in gold of the principal actions in the
South African War in which the regiment took part. The entablature is
surmounted by an Attic storey broken over the pilasters, and bearing
two inscription panels. The front keystone supports a bronze
cartouche, flanked by branches of bay bearing the arms of the
regiment. Within the arch appear the names of the gallant 212 who
perished in the war.
'Loud cheers were raised when, at a quarter to four o'clock,
Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught arrived on the scene and
was received with a Royal salute. He was accompanied by the Right Hon.
the Earl of Meath, President of the Memorial Committee; General the
Lord Grenfell, K.C.B.; Sir George Holmes, K.C.V.O.; the members of the
committee, and others who had attended the luncheon at the Shelbourne
Hotel. More cheers rose from the expectant gathering when, a few
minutes later, their Excellencies the Lord Lieutenant and the Countess
of Aberdeen arrived, and were received with a Royal salute. The flag
on the Memorial Arch was then half-masted, and the order was given for
the troops to "reverse arms" and "rest on their arms reversed." The
massed bands of the 13th Infantry Brigade played the "Dead March in
Saul," after which "Oft in the Stilly Night" was played by the band of
the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The massed bugles of the
13th Infantry Brigade then sounded "The Last Post," and the flag on
the Memorial Arch was mast-headed.
'His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant extended a hearty welcome to the
Duke of Connaught, and congratulated the Memorial Committee, and every
one connected with the undertaking, upon the successful manner in
which it had been carried out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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