The sacrifice of the Tyneside Irish Brigade during the First World War was honoured at a moving ceremony on St Patrick's Day.
Crowds gathered at Eldon Square's war memorial in Newcastle at 1pm on March 17 to hold the annual remembrance service for the fallen war heroes from the North East’s Tyneside Irish Brigade. The Tyneside Irish, which formed part of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised in 1914 to fight in the First World War.
The Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Mayor of North Tyneside and Gateshead Deputy Mayor were among those who joined veterans and their families at the service. The ceremony was first observed by the Tyneside Irish Brigade survivors who had returned from the First World War in 1919.
Bill Corcoran, who is a member of the Tyneside Irish Centre, where his father Tony Corcoran is secretary, said the Irish community pauses its St Patrick's Day celebrations every year to remember the fallen heroes, and all who are lost, injured, or bereaved by war and conflict.
"It’s unique to Tyneside that an Irish community remembers the British Army in this way and typical of the good community relationships, peace, and reconciliation that we have enjoyed here for centuries," he said.
"The history of the Irish on Tyneside is long and venerable. It goes back to St Patrick himself and St Oswald and St Cuthbert.
"It includes everyone from Charles Parsons, the Blaydon Races to Jack Charlton, John Anderson, and both Ant and Dec.
"The Irish came to Tyneside in the industrial revolution through fleeing famine and oppression. Here they found a home where they could live, work, join in as Geordies but keep their traditional music, dancing, and conviviality going.
"When the time came to join in the great national recruitment in 1914, they showed their gratitude to this region and joined the Fusiliers as a “pals brigade” but they lost so many. We are commanded to remember them and if anyone asks why we celebrate St Patrick’s Day, that sacrifice should provide an answer.
"However, the day itself is, as ever, the Tyneside Irish community having a great time in the friendliest city in the world."
