FROM THE ARCHIVES:The seventh anniversary of the end of the first World War was marked at a temporary cenotaph at St Stephen's Green, attended (according to organisers) by 125,000 people in spite of efforts to disrupt it by smoke bombs which led later to minor rioting. – JOE JOYCE
FROM AN early hour in the morning wives, mothers and children of Irish soldiers came to lay wreaths at the base of the Celtic Cross of granite, which is to be erected at Wytschaete [in Belgium] to the memory of the soldiers of the 16th Irish Division who fell in that area. The first to arrive was Colonel Moore, who laid a wreath in memory of Ulick Moore, of the Connaught Rangers. Major Baker, D.S.O., also arrived early and placed a large wreath on behalf of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. A simple bunch of flowers was laid by a very old soldier, who wore the Egyptian Medal and Star.
Soon the various contingents of ex-Servicemen began to march into the Green, all in columns of route. Cheer upon cheer greeted them from windows and the dense mass of humanity below. Shortly before the ceremony St. Stephen’s Green South was filled to overflowing.
A few minutes before eleven the sounding of the buzzer at Jacob’s factory signalled the commencement of the ceremony. General Hickie drew down the crepe which covered the flag, and the buglers of the Legion Band sounded the “Last Post.” The solemn two minutes silence had just begun, when the sound of cheering came from a point opposite to University College in Earlsfort terrace. Immediately afterwards there was a dull bang as of an explosion rather far away. It was now evident that a deliberate attempt was being made to interfere with the silence. Clouds of smoke rose high in the air, and shouts came from the outside that stink bombs had been thrown. With the appearance of the smoke, both in Earlsfort terrace and in Leeson street, some little panic took place for a moment or so among the crowd closest to the Cross, towards which a push movement began.
Immediately there was a cry of “Stand steady” from the ex-Servicemen’s leaders, General Hickie, Lord Powerscourt, General Hammond and Major Tynan, who gave the command through a megaphone. This cry was taken up by ex-Servicemen in the crowd, with the result that within a second a dangerous stampede was averted. Then someone shouted “Silence,” and the minutes of remembrance were resumed. All the time the smoke filled the air at the end of Earsfort terrace, but the silent and steady crowd heeded it not. At the conclusion of the silence “God Save the King” was sung and more cheers were given.
The parade commanders then made a clear passage for the many who came forward to place wreaths around the Cross. Contingents marched past the Cross, and it was a long time before the rear of the column passed. So great was the demand for Flanders poppies during the day that in the early afternoon the supply at the head offices of the British Legion was exhausted.
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