Private Robert Morrow V.C.
The Newmills War Hero
Newspapers : From the Tyrone Courier dated 4th September 1919
Not everyone was happy with the memorial however. A letter to the Editor of the Tyrone Courier which was published on Thursday 4 September 1919 (Figure 8.07) expressed some reservations. The letter came from Delmege Trimble, who was the Assistant Editor of the 'Faugh-A-Ballagh' at the time. The 'Faugh-A-Ballagh was the newsletter of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, based in Armagh.
Tyrone Courier dated 4th September 1919
Newmills Morrow Monument
To the Editor of the Tyrone Courier
"Dear Sir, I only saw the monument erected to the late Private Robert Morrow, V.C., the other day and I was very much surprised to see that the inscription (1) did not state he was a native of Newmills and (2) did not describe the deed of great gallantry for which he received the Victoria Cross.
This was (I quote the official word of the London Gazette) – 'For most conspicuous bravery near Messines on 12th April 1915, when he rescued and carried successively to places of comparative safety several men who had been buried in the debris in the trenches wrecked by shell fire.'
The words on the Monument 'Decorated by the King for gallantry' do not describe the great bravery of a man in digging comrades out of dug-outs in the trenches wrecked by shell fire under a rain of shells.
I trust the local people will have the omission remedied and the deed of the villager fully stated. Yours faithfully, Delmege Trimble."
Robert Morrow V.C. © 2015-23
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