Moving tribute to wartime tragedy
CEREMONIES have been held in Holyhead in memory of the people killed when the RMS Leinster was sunk by a German submarine 100 years ago.
More than 500 lives were lost when the mail ship was targeted on October 10, 1918, while bound for Holyhead.
It was the greatest ever loss of life in the Irish Sea and highest ever casualty rate on an Irish-owned ship. It even jeopardised attempts to end World War I.
The ship was captained by William Birch, a Dubliner who lived with his family in Holyhead. Also aboard were crew from Holyhead and Ireland.
The Holyhead & Anglesey Mail recorded the “outrage” and “indignation” which greeted news of the tragedy in Holyhead, which had been home to many of the people killed, including Captain Birch.
The official death toll was 501, out of a total of 771 (77 crew and 694 passengers) but recent research suggests the death toll was higher.
Hundreds of people lined the street of the Anglesey port town as a procession walked in silence from St Cybi’s Church to the Cenotaph, where flags were lowered and wreaths were laid.
A minute’s silence followed the sounding of the Last Post.
Children from primary schools in the town were among those paying their own poignant tribute.
Earlier, at the service in the church, a roll of honour was read.
The service, and other events to commemorate the tragic incident, were organised in Holyhead by the RMS Leinster Centenary Commemoration Group.
The Maritime Museum in Holyhead currently tells the story of the sinking and houses many artefacts from the ship.
See Cardiff Beat: p25