Photos & Video: World War I Memorial Service

September 29, 2014

A service to commemorate the onset of the First World War was held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton this Sunday [Sept 28], with a host of dignitaries in attendance.

Speaking before the service, Governor George Fergusson noted the 100th Anniversary of the death of the first Bermudian to be killed in the First World War, and said in effect, the Service is “Bermuda’s formal commemoration of the start of that terrible conflict.”

Mr. Fergusson said, “William Smith, the young, black Royal Navy sailor killed in the sinking of HMS Aboukir on 22 September 1914, was only the first of over 80 Bermudians who gave their lives over the following four years in the Navy, the RAF and its predecessor, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Army, both British and Canadian, with the greater number from Bermuda’s own two units, the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps.

One hour video of the entire service:

Those present included Governor George Fergusson, Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley, Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Minister Jeanne Atherden, Minister Michael Fahy, MP Cole Simons, Senator Jeff Baron, Senator Joan Dillas-Wright, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Derrick Burgess, MP Zane Desilva, MP Walter Roban, MP Michael Scott, Hamilton Mayor Graeme Outerbridge, Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer Lt/Col Michael Foster-Brown as well as some of the island’s war veterans.

Bermuda Regiment RSM G Rayner read out the names of all those Bermudians who had died during the War, and others who spoke during the service included Deputy Opposition Leader Derrick Burgess, Premier Michael Dunkley, Governor George Fergusson, Bermuda Regiment Chaplain Major D Raths and Lt/Col Foster-Brown, who read a poem written by one of the famous Great War poets, Wilfrid Owen.

Click to enlarge photos: