Private Robert Morrow V.C.
The Newmills War Hero
Newspapers : From the Newsletter dated 16th July 1918
A report in the Newsletter on 16th July 1918 reveals the memorial was unveiled in July 1918. (Figure 8.06). It was erected in the middle of the village of New Mills and was within sight of Robert's birthplace at Sessia. The memorial project took less than three years from it its initial inception in September 1915 to its unveiling
Newsletter dated 16th July 1918
Memorial to the Late Private Morrow V.C.
In the village of Newmills, County Tyrone, within sight of his birthplace at Sessia, a memorial has been erected to the late Private Robert Morrow, V.C., 1st Battalion (Princess Victoria's) Royal Irish Fusiliers, who obtained the V.C. for his gallantry at Messines on 12th April 1915, but was killed at St Julien on 25th April. His was the first V.C. ever bestowed on the old 87th, and Private Morrow has also been awarded the Medal of St George by the ex-Emperor of Russia.
The project of a memorial was warmly taken up by the people of the locality, and a strong committee was appointed with Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, as honorary treasurer, and Mr T Dudgeon, Coalisland as honorary treasurer, with the result that a handsome obelisk has been erected in the centre of the village, the site having been granted by the Tyrone County Council.
The monument, which was designed and prepared by Messrs Purdy & Millard, Howard Street, Belfast, is about twelve feet in height , and is composed of finely axed Newry granite, standing on a 3ft 8in. square base, surmounted by two unpolished bases supporting the dies tone and shaft. The die stone is polished, on the front face on which is raised in relief the crest of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, surmounting the following inscription 'To the Memory Of Private Robert Morrow V.C., 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, honoured by his King for gallantry at Messines, Flanders, 12th April 1915.'
Robert Morrow V.C. © 2015-23
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