Canadian and German ambassadors attend Laurentic commemoration

The 16th annual Laurentic Commemoration took place at the Laurentic Memorial at Fort Dunree last Saturday, May 13 to remember the 354 men from around the world that died on the sinking of the HMS Laurentic on January 25, 1917 at the mouth of Lough Swilly.

The event, organised by the Ulster Canada Initiative with support from Donegal County Council, was attended by well over 100 people including the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Nancy Smith, the German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt, Nancy Reck, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy Dublin, LCol Michel Tousignant – Deputy Army Advisor / Canadian Deputy Defence Attaché to the Republic of Ireland, Commander Dale Turetski, Miltary Policy Adviser and Deputy Naval Adviser attached to the Canadian High Commission London and Donegal native Lieutenant Tahlia Britton representing Commodore Malone of the Irish Naval Service.

Also attending was a delegation of 25 members of the Canadian Navy Association from various parts of Canada, the Sackville Naval Trust from Halifax Canada, The Crows Nest Officers Club from St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, the Londonderry Royal Navy Association, Inishowen Friends of Messines, and various community groups from Inishowen.

Canadian Ambassador Nancy Smyth, who has Donegal roots (her grandmother immigrating to Canada from just outside Ballyshannon) stated: “In May 2023 I am pleased to return to the beautiful Fort Dunree Laurentic Monument to help honour and remember the 354 men who died on the HMS Laurentic’s sinking including 21 Newfoundlanders.  We will remember them.

“Congratulations to the community, Donegal County Council and the Ulster Canada Initiative for continuing their important efforts in holding this annual event.”

H.E Ms. Nancy Smyth, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Ireland reads the Exhortation "Binyon". Included are John McCarter, masters of ceremonies, and on right, P. J. Hallinan, Inishowen Friends of Messines

German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt, poignantly stated: “I am deeply thankful to have been invited as the first German Ambassador to join you for the commemoration of the SS Laurentic and the 354 crew members who died after the vessel was sunk by German mines. It serves as another timely reminder of the horrors of war and oppression, at a time when new atrocities are being committed on Europe’s doorstep every day.

“Today, we grieve with all the families who lost loved ones in 1917. We share their pain, but even more importantly, we recognise our responsibility for peace and reconciliation both at home and in the wider world – especially in parts where conflict still prevails.

“We remember the Irish soldiers in particular, who in World War I joined Allied forces to fight, in John Redmond’s words, “for the freedom of small nations”, even while their own small nation had not gained its freedom yet. Remembrance and commemoration are at the core of Germany’s vow never to allow for the mistakes of the past to be repeated. By engaging with our history and telling the stories of those who fell victim to it, we learn the value of peace and the terrible price of war.

“Our embassy is engaged in remembrance projects all over Ireland – at the German War Cemetery in Glencree, Wicklow, memorials across all counties and provinces on this island, and here, on the beautiful northern coast of Donegal.

“I want to thank all who join us at this commemoration.”

German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt laying flowers at the Laurentic memorial in Fort Dunree

Don McNeill Chairperson of the Ulster Canada Initiative said the success of this initiative is down to the buy in and support of the community of Inishowen, “they make me proud”

He added: “The star of the show was young Maya McClenaghan preforming the lament Taimse Im’ Chodladh on the Tin Whistle, I was at the dinner that evening, and all the Canadian’s were raving about her. She stole their hearts.

“This year was also a sad year for us as we lost two very dear and dedicated comrades involved with us over the years by the name of Harry Kerr and Dermot McLaughlin, they are missed but will be remembered.”

The story of the Laurentic and biographies of the men who lost their lives are preserved on an online memorial at laurenticlegacy.com. The process of compiling and researching the lives of the men is an ongoing process.