Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery, France - Rededication  Service

On Thursday 21st March 2019 a rededication ceremony for Lieutenant Gilbert Donnelly took place at 10.30am at the CWGC’s Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, France.

 

Lieutenant Donnelly was killed at Ste. Emilie on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive.  The CWGC will mark his grave with a new headstone bearing his name and a personal inscription chosen by his family.

 

The service was organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, Ministry of Defence and attended by family members, British Defence Staff, Regimental representatives, CWGC staff and local dignitaries.

 

I. H. 15

Lieutenant DONNELLY, GILBERT

Died 21/03/1918 Aged 20

1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers

Son of John and Jemima Donnelly, of Glastonbury Avenue, Belfast.

 

Recent research has shown that Lieutenant G. Donnelly is buried here. Currently the grave is marked with a headstone to an Unknown Lieutenant of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, but a new headstone bearing his details is now on order. Please note that this casualty was previously commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial; his name will be removed when the appropriate panel is next replaced.

 

INSCRIPTION: SON OF JOHN AND JEMIMA GLASTONBURY AVE, BELFAST HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND

 

https://www.courrier-picard.fr/art/173159/article/2019-03-21/le-lieutenant-gilbert-donnelly-sorti-de-loubli-au-cimetiere-villers-faucon

 

https://planetradio.co.uk/cool-fm/local/news/belfast-ww1-soldier-commemorated-in-france

 

Ste Emilie Rededication - Order of Service
PDF – 7,6 MB

Danny Boy

 

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.

The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,

It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.

 

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,

Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,

It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,

Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!

 

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying, 

If I am dead, as dead I well may be,

You'll come and find the place where I am lying,

And kneel and say an Ave there for me.

And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,

And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,

For you will bend and tell me that you love me,

And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!