A dedication ceremony took place on the banks of the River Medina on Wednesday to commemorate those who served and those who lost their lives at Gallipoli 100 years ago.
Life size silhouettes have been erected on Furlongs, as well as an interpretation board. Newport Parish Council developed the project, along with local historian Mark Earp, as a commemoration to the men from Newport who served and those that died in the Great War (1914 to 1918).
It was during WWI that Newport suffered serious causalities as part of an attacking force in Gallipoli that lost eight Officers and close to 300 other ranks (killed or missing) including three brothers, whose parents lived in nearby Orchard Street, and their brother-in-law, who sadly all lost their lives and have no known graves.
The 8th Hants (Isle of Wight Rifles) went on to serve in Egypt and Mesopotamia in 1917 to 1918. The sculpture commemorates these men and many other local men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War and are also remembered on the War Memorial in St.Thomas Square.
During the short service the sculptures were blessed by the Rev Kevin Arkell and flowers were laid by the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Charles Chapman and Newport Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans.
10 standard bearers were in attendance, with the last post sounded by a member of the Vectis Corp of Drums. Cllr Ian Ward gave the exhortation as County Chairman of the British Legion. Guests included the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner; David Langford, Deputy Lord Lieutenant and descendants of the IW Rifles servicemen.
Cllr Jones-Evans said:
“It is a supreme honour for the Parish Council to have been able to produce this lasting WW1 memorial. The silhouettes on the riverbank are poignant and thought provoking in their simplicity.
Article continues below this advertisement “I feel this monument is a fitting tribute to the terrible loss suffered by the IW Rifles at Gallipoli and to Newport. Mrs Urry’s boys have come home at last”.
